Ulcerative Colitis

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates
Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)
Eat high fiber (after healing has occurred - use soluble fibers while healing) and high complex carbohydrate diet
Drink liquid diet in active phase, consisting of juices from cabbage and green leafy vegetables
Drink vegetable broths
Avoid dairy products
Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin A: 100,000 I.U. initially, then taper to 25,000 I.U.
Vitamin C: 1 gm. TID
Vitamin E: 800 I.U.
Folate: 2 - 4 mg.
Zinc: 30 mg. TID
Magnesium (Aspartate form): 500 mg.

Supplements: (references)

Quercetin: 400 mg. 20 minutes before meals, TID
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 1-5 gm. TID
Hydrochloric Acid: 10 - 70 grains per meal (if lab work confirms)
Digestive Enzymes: 2 tablets with each meal
Fructooligosaccarides: 800 mg. TID
Acidophilus and Bifidus: 1 capsule between meals
Fiber: 25 gm. with 12 oz. of water with each meal

Botanicals: (references)

Dry herbs - Althea (220 mg.), Geranium (220 mg.), Echinacea (220 mg.), Ulmus (220 mg.), Curcuma (220 mg.), Hydrastis (84 mg.): 2 caps with each meal
Glycyrrhiza tincture: 30 drops TID

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

Ulcerative colitis:
Aloe, Arg-N., Ars., Bis., Calc-A., Canth., Cap., Carc., Chin., Crot-T., Ferr-I., Gambogia, Hel., Kali-B., Kali-N., Lach., Lyc., Merc., Merc-C., Nat-M., Nat-S.,Nit-Ac., Nux-V., Ole., Petr., Phos-A., Phos., Pos., Sulph., Verat., Zinc

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Lactobacillus acidophilus enema: 1/day during bouts of diarrhea
Ulcerative colitis IV therapy
Relaxation exercises to decrease stress: yoga, deep breathing, moderate walking
1 cup chamomile tea: sip slowly, then lie 10 minutes on left side, 10 minutes on back, 10 minutes on right side
Avoid using aspirin and NSAIDs.

Recommended Labs:

Check for ulcerative colitis: Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy with Tissue Biopsy
Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody
Rule out candidiasis: Candida Panel
Rule out celiac disease: Celiac Panel
Rule out Crohn's Disease: CBC with Diff, ESR, CRP, Colonoscopy with Biopsy, Upper GI Series
Rule out parasites: Stool Analysis
Rule out stricture, cancer, anal fissure, proctitis: Colonoscopy, Colon Biopsis, Defecating Protogram, Anal and Abdominal Ultrasound, Scintigraphy, Colonic Motility, Hydrogen Breath

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.