Ulcerative Colitis

I have been practicing Functional Medicine for almost 20 years now. Of all of the conditions that have been presented to me over the years, Ulcerative Colitis is one of the diseases that I have had a very high success rate with in resolving with the Function Medicine approach. Ulcerative Colitis, UC, is an autoimmune induced inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, involving the very end of the colon, the rectum and sigmoid colon. This is unlike Crohn’s disease, another common IBD, which can affect the entire alimentary canal from the mouth to the anus.

I’m not going to discuss the statistical nature of UC but rather the treatment highlights that I know first hand have helped hundreds of sufferers find a lasting resolution. With all UC cases, something is irritating this small distal area of the bowel. It could be a food, liquid, pathogen, toxin or a combination of these. I have found putting these folks on a several day bone broth fast will eliminate all possible inflammatory candidates, nourish the body sufficiently and cut the legs off the inflammatory response almost immediately.

The bone broth must be sourced well from grass fed or free range animals and not a packaged broth which may or may not have irritation ingredients added. You can also make it yourself at home using good quality beef or poultry bones. Boil them in water for two or three days and you have it. After several days of this fast, the bleeding, mucus and diarrhea begin to subside. At this time I will start to introduce animal based proteins, one at a time ,to the bone broth. Incidentally, if you do not have a gallbladder, ingest the bone broth sipping through the day instead of a cup at a time. You do not want to stress the liver. Mix up the animal proteins, beef chicken and pork and do not overcook the meats. Use them in easy to digest ground form. This will bring in essential proteins for rebuilding the gut lining as well as other protein requirements throughout the body.

About this time the person will start to notice more solid and well formed stools. At this time skin color especially in the face will start to return due to an improved nutritional status. Most chronic UC sufferers have a gaunt gray-green palor most likely from the long term nutrient insufficiencies. It does seem to be worse with Crohn’s disease. As we continue on introducing new foods like veggies this is to be done one every three or four days. If the stool becomes loose or bloody or raw food particles are seen in the stool, remove that particular food and try another. Of course the foods must be organic and locally sourced if possible. Continue to introduce a new, healthy, veggie every several days keeping an eye on your body's response to that food. Within several weeks most people will have a sustainable healthy diet with a variety of non-reactive foods. The bone broth can be eliminated after a few weeks or continued on if you chose. It makes a great base for soup.

I have also noted the foods that originally caused the inflammatory reaction, after several months can be reintroduced, one at a time of course, with some degree of success. Some foods will be back on the menu while others will need to be permanently eliminated. Guidance from a qualified experienced Functional Medicine doctor is highly recommended because not everyone reacts the same to any change. However, in general, what I have just talked briefly about is the protocol I have used for years with great success.