Top 5 Studied Herbs & Supplements to help with Chrons Disease Symptoms

This is a list of the Top 5 Herbs and supplements studied to help with Chrons disease and it’s related symptoms. While all these herbs are generally considered safe, please always contact your physician before trying new herbs or supplements, especially if you are on medications. Some of these herbs you can obtain through healthy foods like salmon fish or saurkraute, and spices like turmeric (which contains curcumin – available at any regular grocery store.)

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What is Chron’s Disease?

Chron’s disease is a form of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) characterized by chronic inflammation within the GIT (Gastrointestinal Tract/digestive system), and more commonly the end of ileum of the small intestine or start of the large intestine.

What Causes Chrons Disease

While the root cause of Chron’s Disease is unknown, it’s thought to involve genetic, environmental, dietary and immune system factors. Some evidence suggests bacterial or fungal infections may be a contributing factor. Here are some of the factors that may contribute to Chron’s disease:

1. Genetics: Certain genes can increase the risk of developing Crohn’s.
2. Environment: Diet, smoking, and infections may trigger Crohn’s in susceptible individuals.
3. Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction: A compromised barrier can permit harmful substances like bacteria to enter underlying tissue and cause the immune system to attack bodily tissues and organs.
4. Immune System Malfunction: The immune system inappropriately attacks healthy tissue, which causes inflammation. Some theorize this can be the result of “Leaky gut” or more technically labeled “intestinal permeability” (or Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction) whereby the spaces between cells become enlarged allowing harmful bacteria to leak through the protective mucosa layer.
5. Cytokines Imbalance: An imbalance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines perpetuates inflammation.

Chrons Disease Symptoms

Chron’s and it’s associated ongoing inflammation in the digestive system can lead to a variety of short term symptoms, which include (but are not limited too):

1. Diarrhea
2. Abdominal discomfort or pain
3. Fatigue
4. Weight loss
5. Anemia
6. Malnutrition
7. Fistulas
8. Joint pain

Long-term effects of Chrons Disease

Long term Chron’s inflammation can lead to further complications such as: strictures (narrowing of the intestine), fistulas (abnormal connections between the intestine and other organs), malnutrition and sometimes even cancer.

What is the standard treatment for Chrons Disease

The standard treatment for Chron’s disease usually involves: symptom management, inflammation reduction and avoidance of complications, which may include drugs (e.g. anti-inflammatory drugs), immunosuppressants, biologics, diet changes and in some cases surgery.

Top 5 Studied Herbs for Chrons

1. Curcumin (turmeric extract): Reduces inflammation & improves symptoms by inhibiting pro-inflammatory molecules (Lang et al., 2015; Hanai et al., 2006). [1, 6] Buy Canada | Buy USA
2. Boswellia serrata: Alleviates symptoms by suppressing inflammatory mediators and immune cell infiltration [2, 7] Buy Canada | Buy USA
3. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil): Modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation, potentially decreasing disease relapses [3, 8] Buy Canada | Buy USA
4. Probiotics (e.g., Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains): Improve gut microbiota balance, reduce inflammation, and promote intestinal barrier function [4, 9] Buy Canada | Buy USA
5. Glutamine: Improves intestinal barrier function, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue repair [5, 10] Buy Canada | Buy USA

*The links on each are the highest quality brands I recommend and I know they are good because I know other holistic doctors that sell these brands.

References

Below are studies for each of the 5 supplements mentioned earlier in the context of Crohns disease or related inflammatory bowel conditions:

1. Lang A, Salomon N, Wu JC, Kopylov U, Lahat A, Har-Noy O, et al. Curcumin in Combination With Mesalamine Induces Remission in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015;13(8):1444-9.e1. Link
2. Gerhardt H, Seifert F, Buvari P, Vogelsang H, Repges R. [Therapy of active Crohn disease with Boswellia serrata extract H 15]. Z Gastroenterol. 2001;39(1):11-7. (Article in German) Link
3. Feagan BG, Sandborn WJ, Mittmann U, Bar-Meir S, D’Haens G, Bradette M, et al. Omega-3 free fatty acids for the maintenance of remission in Crohn disease: the EPIC Randomized Controlled Trials. JAMA. 2008;299(14):1690-7. Link
4. Shen J, Zuo ZX, Mao AP. Effect of probiotics on inducing remission and maintaining therapy in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and pouchitis: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Inflammatory Bowel Dis. 2014;20(1):21-35. Link
5. Akobeng AK, Miller V, Stanton J, Elbadri AM, Thomas AG. Double-blind randomized controlled trial of glutamine-enriched polymeric diet in the treatment of active Crohn’s disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30(1):78-84. Link
6. Hanai H, Iida T, Takeuchi K, Watanabe F, Maruyama Y, Andoh A, et al. Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4(12):1502-6. Link
7. Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, Singh GB, Lüdtke R, Safayhi H, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res. 1997;2(1):37-43. Link
8. Belluzzi A, Brignola C, Campieri M, Pera A, Boschi S, Miglioli M. Effect of an enteric-coated fish-oil preparation on relapses in Crohn’s disease. N Engl J Med. 1996;334(24):1557-60. Link
9. Miele E, Pascarella F, Giannetti E, Quaglietta L, Baldassano RN, Staiano A. Effect of a probiotic preparation (VSL#3) on induction and maintenance of remission in children with ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(2):437-43. Link
10. Benjamin J, Makharia G, Ahuja V, Anand Rajan KD, Kalaivani M, Gupta SD, et al. Glutamine and whey protein improve intestinal permeability and morphology in patients with Crohn’s disease: a randomized controlled trial. Dig Dis Sci. 2012;57(4):1000-12. Link