Sometimes, the mere thought of bowel issues can make us cringe. But if you’re suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC), these uncomfortable – and sometimes painful – symptoms may become all too familiar. From cramping to weight loss, fever, and even blood in the stools, UC is a condition that can seriously impact the lining of your intestine.
A common type of inflammatory bowel disease, UC is most common among white people. However, inflammatory bowel diseases, in general, heavily affect the Black community, with one out of every three people diagnosed. Black people also have a higher risk of more severe complications, hospitalizations, and deaths than all other races.
When it comes to UC, in particular, studies indicate that Black folks tend to experience most of the inflammation in their rectums and left-side large intestine. By contrast, Asians seem to show the least inflammation in their intestines.
While various medications and surgeries are used to address UC, sometimes, we want a natural approach. After all, drugs always come with potential side effects – occasionally worse than the symptoms themselves!
Although not FDA-approved for treating UC, certain naturopathic remedies may alleviate sufferers’ worst symptoms. Let’s cover some of these lesser-known treatments, stemming from ancient practices and cultures.
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An ancient remedy with its roots in India, Boswellia has long been used to treat all kinds of inflammatory conditions, including sores, asthma, arthritis, and yes, ulcerative colitis. It is believed Boswellia works by reducing chronic inflammation throughout the body. When taken multiple times daily in pill form, Boswellia has been shown to reduce symptoms across the board. It also has demonstrated benefits for tumors, liver health, infections, and blood sugar!
According to extensive research, the Black community is notably lacking in vitamin D. This is likely due to their darker skin tone and the difficulty in absorption. During winter months especially, vitamin D deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, everything from bone pain to brain fog, sickness, hair loss, depression, and more.
Fortunately, Vitamin D supplementation can help. This powerful vitamin also plays a major role in UC by improving gut health and reducing inflammation. Because it’s fat-soluble, it stores in your tissues for months!
Although this probably doesn’t sound appetizing, it’s chock full of vitamins and nutrients and considered by many to be a ‘superfood.’ Studies also show it boosts your metabolism while aiding in digestion, which is critical if you have UC. Did I mention it helps you detox while strengthening your immune system?
So, rather than pop a buncha vitamin pills, try wheat-grass juice. It’s loaded with vitamins A, B, C, E, and K!
A centuries-long herbal remedy, slippery elm is actually a tree bark. When put in water, it produces a rather thick, sticky substance. If this doesn’t sound appealing, you can always mix in some honey or flavoring before you drink it. You can also take slippery elm in capsule form. It works by creating a gelatin-like film that can soothe the lining of your intestine and ease inflammation from UC.
So drink up! Slippery elm can also be used for heartburn and other acid-related health conditions. Its protective, ‘slippery’ nature makes it a great therapeutic remedy.
Bromelain is actually what is called a “digestive enzyme,” making it perfect for treating a disorder like UC that affects your digestive tract. Taken from the fruit and stem of pineapples, bromelain provides a one-two punch, both aiding with your digestion and reducing inflammation in your colon. Because there is no standardized dose for bromelain, you can safely take up to 300 milligrams three times per day, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
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A prebiotic, this substance allows for bacteria to colonize your gut. While that might not sound reassuring in the slightest, it’s actually a very good thing! See, your gut consists of plenty of good bacteria, but when the balance is thrown out of whack, all kinds of problems can follow. With enough good bacteria, your intestines will experience less inflammation, healthier cells, and stronger immune protection.
It’s also important to note that gut bacteria differ by race. While there is no scientific consensus on which races have stronger or weaker ‘guts,’ these differences may impact how various people respond to natural remedies.
If the Black community has a higher incidence of inflammatory bowel disease, will the intake of these natural ingredients help them more? It remains to be seen.
Whatever you choose to do, just remember: a holistic approach works best. Research indicates that lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise can also strengthen the benefits of treatments and supplements.
Speak to your doctor and let the healing begin!
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