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Natural Anti-Inflammatories - Safe?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/3/2011 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently in remission, but still taking high doses of the traditional pharmaceuticals (Remicade, Azathioprine, Lialda, etc.). In addition, I've been taking a probiotic, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, and Fish Oil (all prescribed by my doctor). My question is - are there any other natural anti-inflammatories out there that wouldn't react with or interfere with any of the other medications I'm taking, or worse yet, somehow antagonize my colon again?

A friend recently sent me a link to an article about Frankincense, and I've heard mention of others. Are these things safe? Is there a good resource/website out there about these natural supplements?

Thanks!
Posted 2/3/2011 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
3rdparty.naturalstandard.com/frameset.asp

This site has pretty good information.
Posted 2/3/2011 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried a ton of natural products and while they didn't seem to cause any interactions, they also didn't help me. Many people have great luck with curcurmin/turmeric, omega3...

I have heard fish oil can casue loose stool.
Posted 2/3/2011 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
 

notsosicklygirl said...
I have tried a ton of natural products and while they didn't seem to cause any interactions, they also didn't help me. Many people have great luck with curcurmin/turmeric, omega3...

I have heard fish oil can casue loose stool.

Fish oil can cause loose stool, but only if you take too much...at least that is my experience with it. I use fish oil regulary, but I don't exceed four capsules a day.

 

Posted 2/3/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on having a doctor progressive enough that he prescribes vitamin D and fish oil. Not all of us are so lucky.

The more common name for Frankincense is boswellia. The internet is full of research that shows boswellia as effective as 5-ASA for IBD. Google 'boswellia ulcerative colitis' and see for yourself.

The same applies for turmeric, active ingredient is curcurmin.

Boswellia and curcurmin are two natural products that are effective for IBD. Of course not everyone will experience this effect, the same way that not everyone is helped my some conventional meds.
Posted 2/8/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)

My multivitamin has vitamin D-800IU --is that enough? Tell me about tumeric. I have some in my spice cabinet-same thing? How much do you use every day? I bought a tea that has tumeric. I actually bought it for muscle and joint recovery long before I had my last flare up---interesting! I also used L-Glutamine powder in my recovery drink to reduce inflammation. I still use it after I workout.  Just a little side note..... I went out of town for a week and was able to stick to my grain free/dairy free diet. I was not able to bring my scd yogurt of course so that was the only thing that was really different. I did great all week, but on the last day I had stomach cramps and discomfort. I couldn't wait to get home. Once I started eating the yogurt again, I began to feel myself.  There must be something to the yogurt.

Posted 2/8/2011 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Turmeric is great. I had a bad reaction last week. Normally when taking coumadin/warfarin your not allowed any supplements and little vitamins. I complied for over 3 months and then had my coumadin reduced by 67% because the problem is gone per the MRI/MRV. Well since I figured I was on a low dose for 2 more months it would be ok to begin taking turmeric again. BIG Mistake. Smalls scabs brushed off easily and the bleeding would not stop without a lot of pressure. I hit Google and it turns out that coumadin inhibits the bodies production of clot forming agents but that is not what turmeric does. Turmeric renders the ones remaining useless so it is not a 'additive' but a compounding effect. I halted the turmeric and am quickly back to normal.
Posted 2/8/2011 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
My multivitamin has vitamin D-800IU --is that enough?

I wish I could go to Las Vegas and bet the ranch that you are not getting enough of vitamin D. Almost everyone has less than optimum levels. But this is one of the few vitamins where it is possible to overdose so it is best to get your blood levels measured the next time you have any blood work done, such as checking cholesterol. I was taking 3,000 IU for over three years and still was barely within the optimal range.

Google ‘vitamin D cancer’, ‘Crohns’, ‘ulcerative colitis’, MS, heart disease or just about anything, it truly is the panacea vitamin. A lot of people have noticed that it helps with arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Just browse our signatures and you can see the most popular supplements we use. Probiotics is probably nbr one and may be the magic ingredient in yogurt that is effective for you.

Most people use fish oil for heart health but some consider it another panacea for everything from depression to sore joints. I do notice a difference with boswellia and turmeric but the real reason I take them is because I am allergic to 5-ASA meds. If I cannot take Colasal or Asacol then I should take something for everyday maintenance. One capsule each works most days but more if I feel symptoms beginning to growl. Diet and supplements seem to work so far.

Besides muscle recovery glutamine is supposedly able to repair intestinal tissue that may have been damaged in a flare.

If you are on any blood thinners or anticlotting agents then you must must must be careful what supplements are safe. Even something simple like vitamin K and fish oil need to consulted with a doctor if you are on blood thinners.

Post Edited (BabeintheWoods) : 2/7/2011 8:28:40 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/8/2011 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Wow ,thanks so much for the info. I am not on any blood thinners and the only med. i take now is Asacol. My dr. reduced my dose to 2 800mg.tablets/day. I still feel great and happy that I am not on as much medication. I will check to see if I am getting enough vitamin D. I take fish oil too--but i was doing that long before the last flare. I found this very interesting---I have always had nasal allergies/sinus issues and I was using nasonex and allegra everyday so that I could breathe! Since I changed my diet b/c of the UC flare, I noticed my allergies were also better. I stopped taking the med. and i still feel great. I'm wondering if I had a food allergy that I wasn't aware of. I had allergy tests, but it mostly tested for inhalents. I hope it continues---Its hard to give up some of the foods I really enjoyed, but I will do it to feel this good! Once again, i will check to see if I'm getting enough vitamin D. thnx!
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