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Manuka Honey - - a must have for UC?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/11/2011 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Dude at the Health store (suffers from Chron's) said I have to take Manuka Honey for my UC. After researching it seems to work!! Helps with -- according to Dr. Molan from New Zealand ( I must do more research )

no known side effects
supported by extensive research
protects the mucous lining of the entire GI (gastro-intestinal) tract
non-irritant / soothing
helps reduce inflammation and infection
no known side-effects when used with prescription medication, unless one is allergic to honey itself
easy and safe and convenient to use
natural remedy, can be used for long term treatment
active manuka honey helps to easy symptoms and makes living with ulcerative colitis bearable
active manuka honey can also be used for ulcerative colitis in child, as long as the child is older than 18 months.


Anyone? I bought the bottle - it's the high quality organic stuff from New Zealand. See what happens.
Posted 3/11/2011 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I have used it before but I was already just going into remission. I love it but could not afford to continue using it. Honey has great healing qualities. Of course I love everything that has to do with bees: honey, beeswax :) All magical and divine.
Posted 3/11/2011 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I doubt it.

q
Posted 3/11/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
It seems to work from my research, Quincy is a grump.
Posted 3/11/2011 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think anything is a must-have for UC because nothing that I've heard about so far works for everyone.

I don't think it would hurt to try it, though. I just wouldn't change anything else with your treatment for two or three weeks before or after starting it so you really know if it's working or not.
Posted 3/11/2011 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I usualy tend to have a big disconfort if i eat more than 2 tablespoons of honey per day. it inflames my gut and my joints. Sugars are always highly inflammatory.

I'm just "testing" this because i've eaten for about 2 days a lot of forest flower honey wich i like a lot and is also "prescribed" as a general cure here. I ate it because i liked it anyway. Today i'm gonna throw the big jar i've bought away because it's too tempting and it's the seccond time in 2 weeks that it made me feel bad.

Manuka honey as i've read has antiviral and antibiotics properties. So probably boosts your immune system besides being a sugar...

God knows. Try it and see if it helps. If it does help you why not ? several weeks of testing will not kill you. It it helps you, then you have a winner card.

We all have different bodies, don't we?
Posted 3/11/2011 3:47 AM (GMT 0)

fruitgirl said...
I don't think anything is a must-have for UC because nothing that I've heard about so far works for everyone.

I don't think it would hurt to try it, though. I just wouldn't change anything else with your treatment for two or three weeks before or after starting it so you really know if it's working or not.

Agree.
Posted 3/11/2011 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Oh good grief...just eat it because it tastes good. WEll, it's an acquired taste. I've eaten it for years. Never knew it was "touted" as a must have for UC...as per my response.

I'm only a grump sometimes.

q
Posted 3/11/2011 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Ate it for years. Originally for UC, but I stopped that since I was just wasting money. I only use it now for medicinal purposes. Burns, colds, sore throats, bad reflux... etc.
Posted 3/11/2011 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
I love raw manuka honey and use it with my VSL - honey is a good prebiotic.

Effect of Manuka honey and sulfasalazine in combination to promote antioxidant defense system in experimentally induced ulcerative colitis model in rats.

Medhi B, Prakash A, Avti PK, Saikia UN, Pandhi P, Khanduja KL.

Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160 012, India. [email protected]
Abstract

Manuka honey (MH, 5g/kg) provided protection against trinitro-benzo-sulphonic acid induced colonic damage. Combination therapy (MH+sulfasalazine) also reduced colonic inflammation and all the biochemical parameters were significant compared to control and MH alone treated group. Combination therapy showed additive effect of the MH which restored lipid peroxidation and improvement of antioxidant parameters. Morphological and histological scores were significantly reduced in combination groups. In inflammatory model of colitis, oral administration of MH (5g/kg) and combination with sulfasalazine (360 mg/kg) with MH (5g/kg) significantly reduced the colonic inflammation. The results indicate the additive effect of Manuka honey with sulfasalazine in colitis.

Protective effect of natural honey against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

Mahgoub AA, el-Medany AH, Hagar HH, Sabah DM.

Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract

AIMS: The protective effects of natural honey against acetic acid-induced colitis were investigated in rats.

METHODS: Honey and glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose mixture were administered, orally and rectally, daily for a period of 4 days. Induction of colitis was done on the third day using 3% acetic acid. Animals were killed on day 4 two hours after administration of the dose and colonic biopsies were taken for macroscopic scoring, histopathological and biochemical studies.

RESULTS: Honey dose-dependently afforded protection against acetic acid-induced colonic damage. There was almost 100% protection with the highest dose (5 g/kg) used while glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose mixture produced no significant protective effect. Also, honey prevented the depletion of the antioxidant enzymes reduced glutathione and catalase and restored the lipid peroxide malondialdehyde towards normal levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are required to explore the active ingredients responsible for the antioxidant effect of honey and its therapeutic potential in humans.
Posted 3/11/2011 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
holly cow, it's 110 $/kg in my country.
Ordinary honey can be bought with 5 $/kg
Posted 3/11/2011 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
I think I am going to go to Whole Foods today to find some....it couldn't hurt...it could even help a bit.  I was reading about it last night and it says it is good for helping mild UC...I think I am considered mild even though I am flaring right now.  It's worth a shot.  Could be a big waste of money but I will find out.  Wish me luck!
Posted 3/11/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Alin, it's not ordinary honey - it's bitter, almost black and smells bad. No risk of eating the whole jar in one sitting lol. But it also kills MRSA and has a good antibacterial effect.

The controlled in vitro susceptibility of gastrointestinal pathogens to the antibacterial effect of manuka honey.
Lin SM, Molan PC, Cursons RT.
Honey Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, [email protected].
Abstract
The susceptibility of common gastrointestinal bacteria against manuka honey with median level non-peroxide antibacterial activity (equivalent to that of 16.5% phenol) was investigated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using a standardized manuka honey with the broth microdilution method. The measured sensitivity of bacteria showed that manuka honey is significantly more effective than artificial honey (a mixture of sugars as in honey), indicating that osmolarity is not the only factor that is responsible for the antibacterial activity of the honey. Most tested gastrointestinal pathogens have MIC and MBC values in the range of 5-10% of honey, other than Enterobacter spp. which was in the range of 10-17%. The difference in efficacy between the honey with and without hydrogen peroxide removed was also studied, and it was found that both hydrogen peroxide and the non-peroxide components contribute to the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of the honey. It was also found that treatment against multi-antibiotic resistant microorganisms such as Salmonella typhimurium DT104 and ESBL-producing organisms with manuka honey may be promising.


The link below is marketing, but nevertheless very helpful. I did a quick search in pubmed and the claims are true (tested by 3rd parties).

http://manukahoneynewzealand.net/2010/05/the-effect-of-manuka-honey-on-enterobacteria/

Duckstar, my whole foods has it - it's $37 for a small jar. It's cheaper online.
The reviews are mostly positive
http://www.amazon.com/Wedderspoon-Organic-Manuka-Active-17-6-Ounce/dp/B000VK08OC
Posted 3/11/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)

Alba29 said...
Alin, it's not ordinary honey - it's bitter, almost black and smells bad. No risk of eating the whole jar in one sitting lol. But it also kills MRSA and has a good antibacterial effect.

10x. i'll order some. lool, who knows, i'm in the habbit of eating everything by the jar, it's probably one of the things that got me into this.
Posted 3/11/2011 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm fructose intolerant. Honey is very high in fructose. So it's not a must have for me. It's a must not.

BTW, I love the taste of honey.
Posted 3/11/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
you are geneticaly fructose intolerant or it just came with the UC?
Posted 3/11/2011 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
So, does it kill off your flora?
Posted 3/12/2011 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
Does the honey kill off the flore? No..

q
Posted 3/15/2011 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
well, the jarr it's here.

alba you were right, i cannot eat more more than a tea spoon :)

let's see how it goes.

I'm more interested in the antibiotic use - since my colon is ok now (formed stools, 1-2/day, no more pain, gas and so on) and in it's effect over my joint pains.
Posted 4/19/2011 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
some update on it:

used manuka honey UMF 20+ for a month, tree times a day. i was hoping if will have an effect mostly for some sinus problems, and secundary for gut/joint problems

no response whatsoever.

as long as i stick to my scd restricted diet i am ok.

it probably has it's benefits, but it's a waste of money concerning our UC.
Posted 4/19/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update
Posted 4/20/2011 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your commitment.
Just eat it to enjoy it....

q
Posted 4/20/2011 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
hehe quincy, normal honey is much more cheaper.

anyway, i've quit any sugars a week ago and i must say that this had an impressive impact on my AS. almost no stiffnes at night or in the morning.
usualy when i eat sugars ( no matter if honey or fruits) my transversal colon will start to hurt and next to it the vertebrae from the upper lumbar spine. from them it spreads all over the body.

so no more honey for me. too bad for the honey :)
Posted 4/20/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)

baconeggsyum said...
It seems to work from my research, Quincy is a grump.

LOL!!! I was only thinking 'My Quincy has been getting grumpier'

:)
Posted 4/20/2011 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
It's only an illusion! ;-)
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