Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is the greatest gift the universe could have given me. Yes, I know it sounds far-fetched, but this serious illness was my wake-up call. Thanks to it, I began exploring my thoughts and I decided to start looking at life through brighter glasses. Thanks to this disease I learned what really is important in life. I had colitis in October 2012. I suffered from severe bleeding from my colon, terrible stomach pains all day long, and my hair… oh the hair that was so full and abundant – at once fell out.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the intestinal wall, the lining of the colon. The injury begins in the area of the rectum and continues to the colon. The length of the affected area varies in each patient.
Colitis is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the body itself. In colitis, the inflammation attacks the colon.
Recent studies suggest that certain bacteria that are present in the digestive system may also contribute to the onset of the disease. Interestingly, there is no connection between eating a certain food and the onset of the disease, although we tend to associate gastrointestinal problems with the food we eat.
At the same time, canned and industrial foods and a genetic predisposition to the outbreak of the disease are among the most prominent signs of the onset of the disease.
The incidence of the disease is lower in smokers and patients who have undergone appendectomy. It is not known why smoking reduces the risk of ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is more common among Jews – indicating the involvement of genetic factors.
Since the disease manifests itself in the immune system attacking the lining of the colon, its treatment is with drugs that inhibit or limit the action of the immune system. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the disease.
The medications that are prescribed these days, work to calm the attack and reduce the risk of a flare-up.
Along with these medications, it is common to use steroids, but these are given for a short period of time due to their long-term side effects, such as bone thinning, gastric ulcer, glaucoma or cataracts.
The next step is drugs from the thiopurines family. The best known of these is the Imuran, which restrains the action of blood cells that cause inflammation, and if all this is not enough to stop the disease – the doctor will recommend biological drugs.
Biological drugs affect and neutralize the various inflammatory factors that cause ulcerative colitis. In doing so, they help relieve symptoms, reduce inflammation, and sometimes achieve remission from the disease.
The biological drugs are given by injection into a vein or under the skin. They are very effective, both in calming the disease and in prolonging the duration of remission. However, because they weaken the immune system, they increase the risk of infections and even the formation of malignant lesions.
Ulcerative colitis is the greatest gift the universe could have given me
Surgeries
In very severe cases, when the disease erupts in an acute form and does not respond to the treatment, a surgery would be necessary. It will include an excision of the entire colon. It is not possible to remove only part of the colon as the disease may recur in the remaining part of the intestine.
The emotional cause of the outbreak of the disease has been mentioned in recent years as triggering the instability of the immune system, thwarting it out of balance, and causing the outbreak of the disease.
I’ve read many books that have left a strong impression on me, such as The Biology of Belief by world-renowned biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton, who describes in simple language how each and every single cell in our body is affected by our thoughts, and how diseases erupt, the vast majority of which are not genetic, but the product of ongoing stress.
I was also exposed to Brandon Bays’s book, The Journey, in which she describes the destructive path that led to the tumor in her womb, and her strong belief that if her thoughts created the tumor, then it would make sense that good, calm, and conciliatory thoughts would succeed in eliminating the tumor. And indeed, within seven weeks, to the surprise of her doctors, she eliminated a basketball-sized tumor using mental tools accompanied by a vegan diet, which included intermittent fasting.
Since I am a Master of Science graduate and a I love to do research, I began to investigate the physiological causes of the disease. I learned what it looks like and how it attacks the body. I delved into the mental factor connected to the disease and I began deep journey into understanding my gut. A journey to peel away the hard layers of emotions that had nested in it. I explored the wonderful world of meditation, participated in courses and workshops that taught how to calm my mind with meditation, and I began to develop a unique method for healing my colitis and… Bingo! I succeeded. Through deep emotional work combined with meditation and guided imagery, I achieved complete healing of my gut. I realized that I had found a groundbreaking method of healing. Subsequently, I applied this method to many dozens of my patients, whose bodies responded to this revolutionary healing tool within a surprising period of time. They were cured of serious illnesses, where the medical system tends to give up.
I care very much for my patient, and when one of them tells me that his or her tests show no longer signs of a serious illness, my heart overflows with excitement. There is no limit to my happiness.
So let’s understand more about gut-related diseases that affects a big portion of the population.
Crohn’s
Similarly to ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease also belongs to the family of inflammatory diseases of the intestine.
Crohn’s disease can manifest itself in any part of the digestive system from the mouth, and all the way to the anus, but in most patients (about 75% of them) inflammation occurs in the final part of the small intestine, which is the transition zone between the small intestine and the large intestine.
In most cases, the inflammation is not continuous, and inflammatory parts can be seen alongside normal areas in the intestinal wall. The inflammation can damage all the layers of the intestinal wall—from the lining of the intestine to the outer membrane of the intestine.
The disease can cause a wide range of injuries and damage.
Some countries who have a high percentage of the population suffering from Crohn’s disease are the Scandinavian countries, Scotland, and some parts of Canada and the United States.
Crohn’s disease has a clear genetic basis: about 20% of patients have a relative who also has the disease. Moreover, someone who has a first-degree relative who has Crohn’s disease has a higher risk of developing the disease.
This is very pronounced in twins: if one of two identical twins has Crohn’s disease, the other sibling’s risk of developing the disease is 44%. On the other hand, if one of two non-identical twins has the disease, the other sibling’s risk of developing it is only 4%.
Crohn’s disease symptoms vary depending on the area of the digestive system affected by the disease. The inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease is characterized by attacking all layers of the intestinal wall.
Due to the deep injury, narrowing of the intestine may form in different parts, or there could be abnormal connections between the various abdominal organs, for example a connection between the small intestine and the large intestine or a connection between the digestive system and the bladder, or the vagina, in women.
In most patients, the disease causes inflammation of the small intestine. Damage to the small intestine can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and difficulty absorbing essential nutrients.
A very small percentage of patients deal with damage of the upper part of the digestive system: The oral cavity, the esophagus, the stomach and the duodenum, and that is accompanied by severe abdominal pain due to inflammation of the abdominal cavity.
Crohn’s disease has a wide range of treatment options, and as with any drug, there are side effects, some of which have a certain risk factor such as the biological drugs.
These drugs are called biological because they are produced by biological processes rather than chemical processes. Long-term use of these drugs somewhat increases the risk of developing malignant tumors – mainly lymphoma.
About fifty percent of Crohn’s disease patients require surgery. The surgery option exists when the disease does not respond to drug treatments and is expressed in narrowing of the intestine and abnormal connections between the various abdominal organs, abscesses (pus pockets) or growth delay in children.
Irritable bowel
Another gastrointestinal challenge is irritable bowel syndrome.
It is a chronic functional syndrome that greatly affects the life of the person who suffers from it. Its characteristics are multiple abdominal pain, convulsions, frequent diarrhea, bloating and multiple flatulence or constipation. The reason for the development of the syndrome is unknown, but there are several hypotheses about its causes.
It is believed that changes occur in the activity of the muscles of the intestinal wall, poor communication between the central nervous system and the nerves of the digestive system, and there may also be hormonal changes that affect the intestines.
Another common cause is a change in the composition of the “good” bacteria in the colon – for example, after antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics increase the risk of developing chronic inflammatory diseases in the intestine. Antibiotics cause damage to the bacteria in the intestines, that which regulate the activity of beneficial fungi and thus the Candida fungi, which causes damage, is multiplied. There may also be damage caused due to a gastrointestinal infection.
Anyone who suffers from irritable bowel system can surely notice that during mental and physical stress, the frequency of bowel movements and restlessness in the abdomen increases. It is important to emphasize that the syndrome can really harm the quality of life, but it may be comforting to know that it does not lead to a dangerous health situation.
It is estimated that between 15% and 25% of the world’s adult population suffers from the syndrome and women suffer three times more often than men.
The treatment currently offered to treat this syndrome is mainly emotional, since, as mentioned, the intestine is more active in situations of stress and anxiety.
It is also recommended to maintain regular and nutritious meals at regular times throughout the day, maintain a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity and making sure to drink water throughout the day.
From my therapeutic experience, I can testify that various relaxation techniques that I have developed over the years, which deal with reducing stress and creating a balanced and calm emotional space, have a dramatic effect on patients suffering from irritable bowel system and contribute greatly to their quality of life. The intestine gradually relaxes and so does the patient’s peace of mind.
Those suffering from excessive gas are advised to avoid foods high in sugars that increase gas formation in the large intestine. Increased intake of fruits and vegetables may also stimulate gas production in the colon.
Let's take a look at this complex and wonderful system, the digestive system
The digestive system is a large, complex, and fascinating system. In the holistic approach and in natural medicine, the digestive system is considered the central system that affects our health, vitality and quality of life.
It is a continuous tube, about 9 meters long, that begins in the mouth and ends in the anus. The system is responsible for processing and breaking down of food into particles that are absorbed through the intestine, and from there, the blood leads them directly to the body’s cells so they could be nourished, and to provide the energy they need. The food we eat is mechanically broken down in the pharynx and from there it passes into the esophagus. From the esophagus, food continues to the stomach, where the initial processing of food takes place and its preparation for enzymatic breakdown in the duodenum. The powerful acid in the stomach destroys most of the pests that enter along with the food.
The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. If you have asked yourself where iron is absorbed, then know that it takes place in the duodenum.
Pancreas
It is a gland responsible for creating a basis fluid that neutralizes the acidic content from the stomach. The pancreas also produces enzymes responsible for breaking down sugars, fats and proteins.
A disruption of the pancreas causes high blood sugar, sugar that was supposed to enter the cells for energy.
Liver
It is a major organ in the body whose main function is to monitor toxins. The liver also produces bile salts that help absorb fats.
Small intestine
The length of the small intestine is about 20-26 feet long. Inside the small intestine occurs a process of absorbing proteins, sugars, fats, bile salts, vitamins, water and salt. The remnants of food that have not been broken down and absorbed pass on into the colon.
Colon
The length of the colon (the large intestine) is about 5 feet long. A small amount of water and salts, as well as fatty acids, are absorbed in the colon. The remnants of what was not absorbed is excreted out through the anus.
The digestive system does important work for us in order to exist. Only when something in this amazing system goes wrong and/or out of control, do we learn to appreciate its complex and critical operation.
The evolution that has swept our world from the Industrial Revolution to the present day and brought about the abundance in the variety of foods, which humans did not know before, has led to many illnesses as obesity, as well as malnutrition, as a result of choosing junk foods that does not contain essential nutrients and are high in saturated fat that penetrates the brain through the bloodstream, and affects the hypothalamus and leads to depressive symptoms. This may explain why, despite the abundance of our food selection, many suffer from gloomy moods and develop depression. This food lacks vitality and it causes great damage. At the same time, we are lucky that our body is forgiving, and from the day we decide to cleanse our body of the toxins that have accumulated in it, it will slowly recover and become vital and vigorous, therefor all we need is a brave decision that will bring about our higher benefit.
So what is recommended to eat?
I believe that rich plant-based foods, and avoiding eating meat as much as possible, will do wonders to our body and mind.
I recommend eating vegetables and fruits of five different colors, every day. It is preferred to drink water over sugary drinks, even if the drinks are freshly squeezed fruit juices.
As for meat consumption, today there is evidence based on studies that shows that meat is food that is not suitable for humans. Anatomically and physiologically, humans belongs to the group of animals that feed on fruits (frugivore). The digestive system of humans is built like that of the fruit-eaters – the frugivores and not the digestive system of the carnivorous animals, the carnivores.
The digestive system of carnivorous animals is significantly shorter than that of vegetarian animals.
This is because long intestines are anatomically adapted for optimal fruit digestion, while the short intestines of predators prevent the meat from staying in the intestine for a long period of time so that it does not rot.
There are many other adaptations that indicate that a human is a frugivore and they are: the structure of the nails, the structure of the teeth, the structure of the tongue and more.
Of course, if we are dealing with the moral aspect, raising animals causes great sorrow for billions of animals who are kept in extremely harsh conditions, and it is often the slaughter that redeems them from prolonged suffering.
As a graduate student of environmental science, I believe that humanity should return to its natural sources and consume its natural foods – fruits and vegetables that are so wonderful for our nourishment and for our emotional well-being.
What is the connection between our food, digestive system and our mood?
The digestive system is directly connected to the nervous system. There are many nerve cells in the intestine, which send direct signals to our brain.
The bacteria that shape our personality
There are about 100 billion bacteria that reside inside our digestive system. The thought of bacteria may make us shudder, but it is important to understand that most bacteria are actually a wonderful and magical world that controls our health, our mood, and even our body weight.
According to epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector, emotional well-being is the result of a diverse gut flora. When the gut flora is diverse, bacteria are more concerned with competing for food to survive and less with manipulating the body. Nutritional diversity and a large variety of bacteria are the key to weight loss and weight maintenance.
According to Professor Spector, the key to good health is a microbiome rich in diversity of good bacteria and the richer the diversity, the healthier, leaner and more protected our bodies are from disease.
How Can You Get Good Gut Bacteria to Thrive?
Here are some important tips:
Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep affects our weight and causes us to eat more. A short sleep leads to an increase in the number of bacteria that promote obesity and a decrease in the number of bacteria characteristic of thin people. That’s why we should sleep around 7-8 hours every night.
Eat Dietary Fiber That Improves Mood
Fiber is an excellent substrate for good bacteria to thrive. They produce various chemicals, including the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is responsible for raising our mood. The recommended amount per day is 1 to 1.5 ounces of dietary fiber, and they can be found in citrus, apples, rice, bananas, dried beans, corn, oats, nuts, whole wheat, bran, cabbage, fresh vegetables and whole grains.
Minimize sugar intake, even if it is of natural origin.
A diet rich in sugar affects the good gut bacteria and reduces its amount. Even if the sugar is from natural sources, like honey, dates or coconut sugar.
Dr. Naama Geva, who studies the connection between gut bacteria and physiological phenomena, expands on the connection between bacteria and mood, and says that a change in gut microbial populations can turn us from anxious people to calm people, and explains that if it is possible to increase the intestinal population with certain bacteria that will increase the serotonin of depressed patients, they can be cured over time.
“Each bacterium is an entity in itself, it is a whole world” says bacterial researcher Dr. Naama Geva-Zatorsky of the Technion’s Faculty of Medicine.
“One of the most studied areas right now deals with the relationship between bacteria and mood. It is now believed that bacteria are linked to depression, to aging, to fears, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It is possible to go from being anxious to being calm, and vice versa, only by following a change in gut microbial populations. How amazing it is to think that these single-celled creatures that cannot be seen with the normal eye reside in our bodies and dramatically affect our mood and shape our personality.
What can we learn from the latest research?
New research shows that gut bacteria not only affect the nervous system, but also produce specific neurotransmitters that communicate with the cells in the system. These neurotransmitters inhibit the activity of neurons, allowing the person to remain calm. The researchers found that many people who deal with depression have less of these bacteria – they have much lower bacterial diversity than healthy people.
Today, gut bacteria that can influence brain phenomena are referred to as “psychobiotic bacteria.”
The therapeutic potential is enormous, the good news is that bacteria can also be used for inflammatory bowel diseases, to improve cancer treatment, and even to improve psychiatric diseases. It may even help in balancing our moods.
Nutrition is a critical component in our communication with gut bacteria. The bacteria digests large portions of the food we eat and it releases metabolic molecules, including vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids. Studies have shown that, for example, fatty acids that are produced by bacteria, cause an increase in cells in the immune system which suppresses inflammation.
In Conclusion
Although I firmly believe in natural healing, I certainly wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for conventional medicine that saved my life. Colitis disease was raging in full force in my intestine, which was just about to be amputated. When all the medications I got didn’t help me, the doctor suggested a biological drug, and after two months of starting this miracle drug that lowered the flames of my immune system, so not to continue to destroy my gut, the disease regressed and I had a blessed remission, which calmed the disease.
Thanks to the remission, I was able to recover, emotionally and physically, and continue my life in the best possible way. I chose to continue using natural healing, which has been proven in many studies to stimulate deep rehabilitation and eradicate diseases. Today I am completely helped by the body’s infinite ability to heal itself.
In conclusion, I would like to tell you that the your healing is in your hands. You are the one who makes the changes that occur in your body. Your body is a mirror of your thoughts. Be good to yourself. Nurture your mind. Make time to embrace sweet little moments of peace during your day. Remember to breathe, deeply, and practice a form of meditation once a day.
Eat a variety of foods that are rich in vegetables, fruits and dietary fiber. Engage in an enjoyable physical activity at least 3 times a week, and, ensure a good night sleep.
Over the years, I have experienced many moments of comfort as my patients recovered from autoimmune diseases, from daily stress, from anxiety and from depression. I have given my patients all the tools they need to heal their body and their mind.
Who will heal you?
Your own extraordinary body will heal itself. It has tremendous healing ability. In each minute that passes, 300 million cells in our body die, and are replaced with new cells. When you create a healing energetic frequency in your thoughts, your body will respond to the peace that will shine from you and thus you will produce new healthy and fresh cells.
Every 7 year cycle, all of the cells in your body are replaced with new ones. You have the opportunity at any given moment to bring about deep and meaningful healing to you body and your mind. Give yourself the time to grow your beautiful, God-given spirit. Grow it into realms of light and love, release blockages and accept yourself exactly as you are because in the image of God you were created.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article,
yours truly,
