My Crohnstipated Life

We hate it, we all do, and it’s nothing that anyone can cure which in itself really sucks. I preach much about my regimen because I am trying so desperately to get the word out about a natural approach to Crohn’s Disease. If you are new to the disease or a lifer, you will or should already know that all those heavy pharmaceutical drugs do is mask the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease. These drugs are NOT healing the body. You may have an argument with me about that, but it is my opinion and the opinion of the doctors that treat me. As Crohn’s suffers, we want help. We want a solution and want to be pain free and back to living a normal life. The drugs are only masking the pain instead of healing the body. Therefore, one day I woke up and listened to what I had already known. I’ve worked in the holistic health care field for over 20 years. I knew it but thought the gastro’s knew what they are talking about and obviously knew more than I.

But each and every gastro I went to, gave me the same protocol: problem is we’re not all the same! So, in saying that, I ventured out and found something that works for me. I get many questions as to what I am taking and how it all works together so I thought I’d do a few posts on the subject. Feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions.

Pro-Biotics
Probiotics are essentially microorganisms that add to the healthy fauna (bacteria) of the intestine. All digestive tracts are lined with bacteria that aid in the digestion of food. Their role is to keep the gut healthy and balanced by eliminating foods that are bad for the gut, such as rancid foods, and aiding in the digestion of other foods. These microorganisms tend to be out of balance in those with Inflammatory bowel disease. As a result the gut becomes an inhospitable place for the good bacteria to reside, and instead, the bad bacteria take over. This can lead to a yeast overgrowth, a condition known as Candidiasis. . This can not only impact digestion, but also influences the bodys function in other areas.

Choosing a probiotic
When choosing a probiotic, try to find one that does not contain dairy, given that dairy is known to upset the gut. Also try to find one that contains both the L. acidophilus and the L. bifidus organisms. There are many great brands, such as Kyodophilus. One particular one that has received much attention as of late is Probiotics by Garden of Life. I personally use Ortho Molecular and they can be found online.

When to take your probiotic

It is best to take the probiotics a few times a day, each time on an empty stomach if possible. Take with 8oz of water (room temperature water is better than cold water, if possible.) Start with taking one pill in the morning and then work your way up to 2-6 depending on brand and your current health situation. Currently I take 2 capsules, 3 times per day.

God Bless~