“Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis” is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s (CCFA) largest fundraising event. Within the month, the people of Utica will be able to do their part by helping raise funds to bring us closer to a cure. The “Utica Take Steps Walk” will also raise awareness of this digestive disease and celebrate the foundations success thus far. The mission is to raise enough funds for cutting-edge scientific research so that one-day we can live in a Crohn’s and Colitis-free world. Last month, Dr. Sklar and I both ran a presentation at the Masonic Car Community going over the causes of IBD and suggestions on bringing a better quality of living to those already affected.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both Inflamed Bowel Diseases (IBD) that cause an inflammation in the digestive tract. Ulcerative Colitis targets strictly the large intestine, also referred to as the colon, whereas Crohn’s can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.
Below is a handout that I gave to the participants:
Let’s take every possible step to understand your IBD and what causes your flare ups.
New research indicates that IBD stems from your diet, visceral hypersensitivity, neuroendocrine dysfunction, psychosocial factors, stress, enteric infection, altered GI flora, food sensitivities or allergies. Finding your cause may take time, but don’t give up – your greatest gift is your health.
Things to be aware of and steps that may help to relieve symptoms
- A modified elimination diet, removing dairy & gluten grain products
- You can actually get more absorbable calcium from vegetables like cauliflower than milk (over 2x as much)
- After the age of 5 years, we lose the ability to break down lactose… which causes gas and illness
- Bacteria, like Mycobacteriaum avium in milk, survives pasteurization and may cause a Crohn’s-like disease (Johne’s disease)
- Almond, hazelnut or rice milk are suitable replacements
- Chew food thoroughly
- Get back to nature – the sun, fresh air, your feet on the ground – all the beauty of nature
- Relaxation is absolutely critical for optimal digestion and assimilation
Bacteria
- Good bacteria in the gut helps to control inflammation, digestion, metabolism, produces vitamins and may subdue some cancers
- Sugar breeds bad bacteria, which causes weight gain and illness – eliminate “white” from your diet
High-fiber foods
- Cut the risk of Crohn’s development in half by eating as little as 15g a day
- High in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
- High in protective plant compounds (carotenoids and flavonoids) and limit oxidative stress (a result of an inflamed colon)
- A low fiber diet, combined with high-fat and high cholesterol, will ultimately increase the risk of colon cancer
Real Foods
- A diet containing artificial and highly processed foods will deplete you in an already depleted world – always try to eat Real Foods
- Lower omega-6 fatty acids and other fats cause inflammation which lead to chronic illness –they are found primarily in vegetable oils and animal fat
- Instead, consume extra omega-3, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid
Eliminate/minimize stressors
- Stress irritates the stomach lining and interferes with nerve endings
- Breathing techniques can be helpful to calm the body and relieve tightness and stress – take 10 slow deep breaths prior to eating
Love yourself to health!
Your daily mantra – “I am Love, I am Healthy and My Body is Perfect”
The actual address of the Utica walk will be at the Masonic Care Community located at 2150 Bleeker Street in Utica, NY. Check-In will take place at 2:30 PM on Saturday, September 28, 2013.
For more information about the event and IBD, please visit: www.cctakesteps.org/utica.
