Crohn's Disease

Also known as:  Granulomatous Ileitis;  IBD;  Inflammatory Bowel Disease;  Irritable Bowel Disease;  Regional Enteritis;  Regional Ileitis;  Ileocolitis

Crohn’s Disease is a severe form of Colitis that involves chronic Inflammation of any part of the Gastrointestinal Tract from the mouth to the Anus - although it usually occurs at the end of the Ileum (where the Small Intestine joins the Large Intestine).  The cause of Crohn's Disease is unknown but it may be a response to infectious organisms or perhaps genetic - it is now regarded as an Autoimmune Diseases.

 There appears to be an hereditary element to Crohn’s Disease.

 Crohn’s Disease occurs most commonly in people of Anglo-Saxon or Northern European ancestry (particularly in Jews).

 Most cases of Crohn’s Disease commence prior to the age of 30 (often between the ages of 14 and 24).

 Crohn’s Disease occurs more frequently in women than in men.

 Crohn’s Disease occurs at a rate of 1 to 5 persons out of every 10,000.

Alkaloids

 Berberine may inhibit Interleukin 8 (IL-8) activity in Crohn’s Disease patients and may minimize tissue damage to the Colon in Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Glutamine (1,000 - 4,000 mg per day) may improve the condition of Crohn’s Disease patients (primarily by supporting the Intestinal Mucosa).  ^[2]

 Crohn’s Disease patients are often found to have very low Glutathione levels and some researchers speculate that supplemental Glutathione (or its precursors) may improve the condition of Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[3]

 Glycine may help to prevent/treat Crohn’s Disease.  ^[4]

Carbohydrates

 Acemannan may alleviate the Inflammation of Digestive Tract associated with Crohn’s Disease.  ^[5]

 Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) may reduce the severity of Crohn’s Disease.  ^[6]

 Glucosamine may alleviate the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease.  ^[7]

 Psyllium may be useful for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease.  ^[8]

Enzymes

 Supplemental Pancreatic Enzymes may be a useful treatment for Crohn’s Disease (many Crohn’s Disease patients are deficient in Pancreatic Enzymes).  ^[9]

 Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) (when administered via injection) may cause regression in Crohn's Disease patients.  ^[10]

Hormones

 DHEA (200 mg per day) may produce remission in Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[11]

 Supplemental Human Growth Hormone (hGH) may reduce the symptoms (especially the abdominal Pain) of Crohn’s Disease by up to 25%.  ^[12]

Lipids

 Butyric Acid may reduce Inflammation in Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[13]

 Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) may improve the condition of Crohn's Disease patients.  ^[14]

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids may help to prevent Crohn’s Disease and may help to counteract the Inflammation that occurs in Crohn’s Disease patients:  ^[15]

 Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) may help to counteract the Inflammation associated with Crohn’s Disease (LNA functions as a precursor to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) which in turn suppresses Leukotriene B4 in the Colon - excessive Leukotriene B4 production in the Colon is associated with the Inflammation that occurs in the Colon during Crohn’s Disease).  ^[16]

 Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) may improve the condition of Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[17]

 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) may improve the condition of Crohn’s Disease patients (primarily by reducing the endogenous production of Leukotriene B4 which is implicated in the Inflammation associated with Crohn’s Disease).  ^[18]

Microorganisms

 Bifidobacteria bulgaricus may inhibit the excessive release of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[19]

 Lactobacillus casei may inhibit the excessive release of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[20]

 Lactobacillus rhamnosus may improve the Digestive System’s Immune function in Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[21]

 Lactobacillus reuteri may be useful for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease.  ^[22]

 Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) (500 mg per day) may alleviate the Diarrhea that occurs as a side effect of Crohn’s Disease.  ^[23]

Minerals

 Clinoptilolite is claimed to be useful for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease.  ^[24]

 Crohn’s Disease patients often exhibit abnormally low Selenium levels.  ^[25]

 Crohn's Disease patients are often found to be deficient in Zinc and supplemental Zinc (25 - 50 mg per day) may help to restore the integrity of the Intestines in Crohn’s Disease patients.  ^[26]