Tag: diet in ulcerative colitis

What foods to avoid if you have Ulcerative Colitis

Overview

Ulcerative colitis is referred to as the inflammation of the colon that includes characteristic of ulcers, or open sores. The inflammation affects the whole area.

It affects both males and females and of any age group can have ulcerative colitis. 15-30 years is the age group when people are more prone to ulcerative colitis because of their life style.

It is considered as an intermittent disease with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptoms free.

ulcerative colitis treatment

The ulceration and inflammation starts in the rectum and in the lower section of the colon, but as the disease progresses, it spreads through the entire colon.

If not treated and diagnosed early, it may result in various complications that can affect the daily life of an individual.

In modern medicine, there is no satisfactory treatment available till date but according to Ayurveda, it is managed naturally by avoiding certain foods in the diet.

What are the causes of Ulcerative Colitis according to Ayurveda?

Ulcerative Colitis is known as Grahni dosha in Ayurveda. It was mentioned in Sushruta Samhita 3000 years ago that ulcerative colitis affects Pitta dominant people.

Intake of foods that imbalance the Pitta dosha in the body further aggravates the condition.

Excessive intake of food such as:

  • Processed food
  • Intake of fried, hot and spicy food
  • Artificially flavored foods such as artificial sweeteners, colors etc.
  • Intake of food made of refined flour
  • Junk food.

Ulcerative colitis treatment in Ayurveda

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

The symptoms usually begin in the lower part of the colon and then spread upwards.

Symptoms are:

  • Increased urgency to move the bowel
  • Cramping pain in the abdomen
  • Blood and mucus in the stool
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Low-grade fever
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Distended abdomen
  • Lesions in the skin
  • Rectal Pain
  • Rectal bleeding

What Diet Should Be Followed in Ulcerative Colitis?

  • Diet plays an important role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis because it is caused due to wrong eating habits. People who eat non-vegetarian food and tend to draw most of their protein need from meat are more prone to ulcerative colitis.
  • The diet which is rich in astringent principles should be followed. The ulcerative colitis may vary from person to person depending on the patient’s Prakriti.
  • Proper diet and nutrition play an important role in the management of ulcerative colitis so as to prevent weight loss.

What Foods to be avoided in Ulcerative Colitis

1.Pitta Aggravating Food

Avoid Pitta aggravating food such as red chilies, tea, coffee, alcohol as they can aggravate the symptoms.

  • During an active flare, it is best to avoid spices and stick to plain foods to heal the colon as well as to minimize the symptoms.
  • Use of only mild spices is recommended to avoid the irritation of the digestive tract.
  • Certain Pitta aggravating foods such as- cold drinks, fried foods, alcohol, ghee, and sweets should be avoided.
  • Tomatoes should be avoided as they aggravate Pitta dosha in the body.
  • Foods such as soy protein, onions should be avoided as they tend to cause excessive acid formation and irritate the gut.

2.Dairy Products:

Certain dairy products such as- milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese should be avoided as people with ulcerative colitis are generally lactose intolerant.

  • The sugar present in milk and dairy products is known as lactose.
  • In some patients of ulcerative colitis, the small intestine lacks the digestive enzyme known as lactase.
  • Lactose intolerance causes symptoms such as- abdominal pain and diarrhea. So, avoid dairy products to reduce these symptoms.
  • Moreover, dairy products contain a lot of saturated fat which cannot be digested properly.

3.Carbonated Beverages:

The carbonated beverages are rich in carbonic acid which causes gas formation and abdominal discomfort.

  • These beverages also contain caffeine which can worsen diarrhea.
  • So, carbonated drinks should be avoided by the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.

4.Nuts and Seeds:

Nuts and seeds are hard to digest so these should be avoided by ulcerative colitis patients.

  • In ulcerative colitis, there are active flare-ups. So, it is best to eat foods that are easily digestible and those foods which don’t irritate the further lining of the intestines.
  • So, avoid foods which are high in fiber such as- nuts, seeds, raw vegetables.

5.Alcohol

  • Alcohol may affect different parts of the body but in ulcerative colitis, it stimulates the intestines and causes diarrhea.
  • So, consumption of alcohol should be avoided as it damages the liver too.

6.High-Fat Foods:

  • High-fat foods such as- butter, cream, fried or greasy food should be avoided as body’s digestive fire is not balanced, so these foods are not digested properly and act as a load on the system.

7.Vata dosha aggravating food:

The foods which form more gas formation or causes Vata imbalance should be avoided.

  • Certain foods such as- sprouts, cabbage, sweet corns, broccoli should be avoided.
  • These foods cause excessive wind formation in the gut.

8.Whole Grains:

High-fiber foods are hard to digest and are the cause of bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

  • Fiber rich food should be avoided by the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis as the body is not able to digest whole grains during flare-ups.
  • So, avoid food products which are rich in fibre.
  • Limit the intake of fibre rich vegetables such as- broccoli and cabbage which can cause excessive gas formation.

9.Processed Foods:

Processed foods contain refined carbohydrates and excessive amounts of sugar.

  • Sugars may cause the over-growth of yeast infections and can trigger ulcerative colitis.
  • So, processed foods should be avoided by the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.

It is important to know that ulcerative colitis patient has different food intolerance because of their parkriti. The intolerance to milk while and sensitive to high fibre food again depends on Prakriti of one.

In addition to diet, stress is also a causative factor of ulcerative colitis. Stress also triggers a flare-up of the disease as chronic stress weakens the immune system making system more susceptible to ulcerative colitis.

How Herbal Remedies help you to get relief in Ulcerative Colitis

Overview

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a relapsing and remitting course. The prolonged use of allopathic standard drugs often produces mild to severe side effects and also results in drug resistance. Hence, there is a need for safe, effective and complementary treatment options. In Ayurveda, various treatment modalities for digestive disorders such as: chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are described and treated successfully.

In ulcerative colitis, inflammation usually involves the rectum, but may spread to sigmoid colon or whole colon. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be co-related with Rakta-atisara (bloody diarrhoea) as the frequent stool and blood in stool are the main culprits in deteriorating the patient’s general health.

symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

  • Irregular bowel movements
  • Bluish or yellowish undigested stool
  • Weight loss
  • Blood in the stools
  • Occasional rectal pain
  • Burning sensation in the chest and throat
  • Unpleasant body odour
  • Lack of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Dark patches under the eyes.

What are the causes of Ulcerative Colitis in Ayurveda?

  • According to Ayurveda, Ulcerative Colitis is primarily a disorder of Pitta dosha with Vata involvement.
  • Due to the excessive consumption of Pitta aggravating foods such as frequent consumption of junk food, spicy and fermented foods, Pitta dosh in the body gets aggravated.
  • Due to the damage caused in muscle tissue and blood tissue, ama (toxins) get deposited between the villi in the intestines and forms a smooth coating there.
  • It impairs the normal functioning of immune system.
  • As a result, Vata dosha in the lower colon also gets aggravated and there is a blockage in the Pitta and Kapha channels causing inflammation and mucus inflammation.
  • Stress is the also the factor for ulcerative colitis.

How Ulcerative Colitis is treated in modern medicine?

  • It is usually treated either by drug therapy or by surgery. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs and immuno-suppressants are prescribed. Immuno-suppressants such as: Cyclosporine has serious side effects and is not recommended for long term use so treating ulcerative colitis still remains a challenge before doctors.

How Ulcerative Colitis is treated in Ayurveda?

  • In Ayurveda, the first line of treatment is rakta-stambhana (blood-coagulation) and purisha-sanghrahana (anti-diarrheal).The treatment of rakta-atisara is done by prescribing sweet and cold potency herbs which enhance the immunity, strength and pacify all the doshas.
  • Unlike modern medicine, the science of Ayurveda offers treatment of Ulcerative Colitis because herbal remedies work on the root cause of the disease.
  • Like modern medicine, Ayurveda is also a science which has many dimensions. It is a hardcore science of treating the disease. The treatment in Ayurveda is based on scientific principles.
  • So, Ayurvedic treatment for ulcerative colitis is holistic and provide relief to the patients without causing any side effects.

What are the herbal Remedies for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis?

Planet Ayurveda offers Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack of Planet Ayurveda consists of:

Treatment of ulcerative colitis
Arjuna Capsules

  1. Vatsakadi Churna
  2. Pitta Balance
  3. Kutajgan Vati

1.Arjuna Capsules:

  • Arjuna’s (Terminalia arjuna) standardized extract is used to make this formulation. This tree bark possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is rich in minerals such as: calcium, copper, magnesium and zinc. It is considered as a good astringent so Arjuna capsules of Planet Ayurveda are very effective in controlling bleeding in ulcerative colitis patients.

Dose: 2 capsules twice daily.

2.Vatsakadi Churna:

  • Vatsakadi Churna by Planet Ayurveda is a combination of various herbs that are effective in treating Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, unexplained dysentery, diarrhoea, flatulence, gas and indigestion. This Churna can be used even in severe forms of diarrhoea. It gives quick results that are similar to the modern medicines but the results are effective, long lasting and there is no side effect.

Ingredients of Vatsakadi Churna

Sr. No. Ingredient Name Common Name Part used Quantity(100 gm Pack)
1. Halorrhena anti-dysentrica Kutaj Bark 20 gm
2. Aegle marmelos Bilva Fruit 15 gm
3. Foeniculum vulgare Saunf Seeds 15 gm
4. Coriander sativum Dhania Fruits 10 gm
5. Cyprus rotundus Nagarmotha Rhizome 10 gm
6. Punica granatum Anar Fruit rind 10 gm
7. Elettaria cardomum  Choti Elaichi Whole 10 gm
8. Myristica fragrans Jaiphal Fruits 10 gm

Dose: 1 teaspoonful with water after meals.

3.Pitta Balance:

  • Pitta Balance is a unique product of Planet Ayurveda which contains various cooling natural calcium compounds. These compounds balance the Pitta dosha naturally and relieve in the bleeding associated with ulcerative colitis.

Ingredients of Pitta Balance Capsules

Sr. No. Ingredient Name Common Name Quantity
1. Coral Calcium Praval Pishti 125 mg
2. Agate Calcium Akik Pishti 125 mg
3. An Ayurvedic Calcium Compound Jawar Mohra Pishti 125 mg
4. An Ayurvedic Calcium Compound Kandudha Ras 125 mg
5. Pearl Calcium Mukta Pishti 50 mg
6. Tinospora cordifolia extract Giloy extract 125 mg

Dose: 1 capsule twice daily.

4.Kutajghan Vati:

  • Kutajghan Vati is a famous Ayurvedic medicine used in the treatment of intestinal disorders. It is prepared from the bark of the tree Halorrhena antidysenterica. It is an effective remedy for amoebic dysentery due to its astringent, anthelmintic, amoebicidal and diuretic and immuno-stimulant property.

Dose: 2 tablets twice daily.

Besides it, there is much importance of suitable diet regimen such as intake of refined flour, spicy and sour food is strictly prohibited as a little mistake in diet regimen can irritate the colon mucosa and can lead to bleeding per rectum.

Mode of action of Herbal Remedies:

  • These herbal remedies act as stambhan of excessive excretion of essential bio-humors and pacify vitiated Pitta and enhance the immunity and strength, nourish the body and pacify all the three doshas.

Conclusion:

  • Ayurvedic treatment of ulcerative colitis and other chronic inflammatory bowel disease relapses can reduce the need of conventional standard drugs. Moreover, Ayurvedic treatment of ulcerative colitis is safe, inexpensive, easy to handle and well tolerated by the patients of all age groups.