To date, there is no cure for UC, a chronic disease of the large intestine (colon) in which inflammation brought on by a faulty immune response creates sores, or ulcers, in the lining of the colon. The chronic condition affects nearly 1 million Americans and tends to run in families, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Epidemiological research shows that westernized populations and people with diets high in fat and low in fiber are at higher risk for UC. But no one has yet uncovered the main cause of the disease. “Although the official cause of ulcerative colitis has evaded the medical community, it’s important to understand that it results from an interaction of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors,” says Benjamin Snider, ND, a naturopathic doctor in private practice in Kitchener, Ontario. Treatments for ulcerative colitis include medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immune system suppressors, biologics, and steroids to control inflammation and other symptoms of the condition. Surgery to remove the colon and rectum is another form of treatment if medication doesn’t prove effective. There are still other, nonmedical forms of relief. Research shows that a number of natural treatments, including everything from lifestyle changes to herbal medicine, are effective for colitis. Dr. Snider stresses that a holistic approach that factors in lifestyle, stress, supplements, and some natural remedies for ulcerative colitis offers the best chance at healing. Read on to learn about some different kinds of natural therapies. According to a review of studies published in May 2019 in the journal Nutrients, a Western diet high in fat, refined sugar, and animal products is associated with an increased risk of UC and worsening colitis symptoms. The CCFA notes that greasy foods, dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, and raw fruits and vegetables may trigger UC symptoms as well. But it’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for UC, so you’ll have to figure out what works best for you through trial and error. It helps to keep a food diary to discover which foods are best for you. Snider says it can’t hurt to limit certain foods, and then if your symptoms improve according to your symptom diary, to continue doing so.
2. Get Regular Exercise to Reduce Inflammation
Snider says exercise is useful in managing many of the complications associated with ulcerative colitis, including decreased bone density, a weakened immune system, emotional health problems, stress, and weight gain. “Try to engage in a moderate-intensity exercise like swimming or biking, three or four days per week,” he says. One research review notes that moderate exercise releases protective myokines such as irisin from working skeletal muscles, which promotes healing and helps with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) inflammation.
3. Stress Less to Keep Things Moving
Research indicates that stress plays a role in inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. According to a research review published in October 2019 in Frontiers in Pediatrics, stress leads to inflammation and changes in the gut, which can exacerbate UC symptoms. Counteract stress with relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation to help your body relax. “These modalities shift the nervous system away from fight or flight and into a rest and digest mode,” Snider says. “In addition to heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate changing, blood and nutrients move into the core to support digestive function.”
4. Consider Therapy to Help Manage Stress and Pain
Working with a therapist on certain mind-body techniques can help you control ulcerative colitis symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a technique called biofeedback may be useful, as these processes teach skills to cope with stress and pain. In CBT, you learn to recognize and change behaviors and emotions that affect you physically. According to an article looking at pain management techniques for people with IBD, CBT can ease abdominal pain for some people. Biofeedback will teach you how to identify and control some bodily processes, such as heart rate or tension in your muscles, and it can be effective in helping manage chronic pain.
5. Consider Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Ease Symptoms
As part of a healthy diet, additional omega-3 fatty acids, the healthy fats found in foods like fatty fish, may keep inflammation at bay and ease ulcerative colitis symptoms. “Omega-3 fats may be beneficial to patients with both UC and Crohn’s due to the strong anti-inflammatory action and ability to fuel the cells that line the intestinal tract,” says Snider. Though research results vary, Snider notes that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation holds promise for people with IBD and other inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. A review article published in the January–March 2016 issue of the Annals of Gastroenterology notes that omega-3s may also reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which cause systemic inflammation. The authors found that more studies are needed to establish a recommended daily intake to prevent or induce remission in IBD patients. Talk to your doctor to get advice and recommendations before taking any supplements. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch.
