Ulcerative colitis: NATURAL relief

I often get asked, “just what kind of patients do you actually see?”

And I have to admit that it varies from those who just need dietary advice in this very confused marketplace—to those who have very serious illnesses like cancer and diabetes.

But the one thing they all have in common is their inability to accept the mediocre standard of care that now comprises modern American medicine.

That’s especially true for patients with gut issues—and ulcerative colitis (UC), in particular.

Conventional medicine has very little to offer to UC patients. The good news is, I have a proven track record when it comes to natural healing and management.

And now, according to researchers, there’s another natural duo that tackles this gut ailment, head on…

Powerful herbal extracts

In a recent study, patients with active UC found relief from a combination of two herbal extracts.

In fact, curcumin and qing dai induced remission for many UC patients in a small, placebo-controlled trial.

Now, curcumin comes from the spice turmeric. It’s a polyphenol bearing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. And qing dai, also known as Indigo naturalis, has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent.

So, to me, these findings aren’t surprising. But let’s take a closer look…

Subjects were randomized to receive a pill containing 3 grams (g) of curcumin and qing dai daily—or placebo—for eight weeks.

Ultimately, 43 percent of the participants that received the herbal combo experienced significant relief from UC, compared to only eight percent of those taking the placebo.

Plus, when participants were followed for an additional eight weeks and instructed to take curcumin only, a whopping 93 percent who had achieved a positive result were able to maintain relief.

Never overlook the root of the problem                                                                                                                                  

I think what stands out the most here is how subjects experienced relief without addressing diet or the state of their gut microbiome.

In fact, researchers found a non-pharmacological pathway to achieve symptom reduction in the same way pharmaceutical drugs work… by suppressing inflammation.

Now, we all know inflammation is a major contributor to chronic disease (UC is just one example of many). And while it’s vital to get inflammation under control, I still believe it’s far more important to get to the root of the problem—by assessing diet and overall gut health.

When it comes to rebuilding your gut microbiome, there are several steps involved. I outline them in back-to-back issues of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletters.

(Subscribers should refer to my March and April 2019 newsletters. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to learn about becoming one.)

But one essential piece of the puzzle is taking a high-quality probiotic each and every day—one that contains pre- and post-biotics, to boot. I always recommend Dr. Ohhira’s.

Then, do a diet overhaul. Cut the crud, like sugar and carbs—which promote inflammation—and follow a healthy, balanced diet full of lean protein, fresh produce, and healthy fats. (Check out my A-List Diet for more details.)

Source:

“Herbal combination tames active UC in small study.” MDedge, 02/02/2023. (mdedge.com/internalmedicine/article/260994/gastroenterology/herbal-combination-tames-active-uc-small-study)