Kathy E. Acquistapace, DC, NHP, CNC
The health of the human colon plays an integral role in our overall well being, reflecting the status of our body as a whole. Furthermore, anyone who has suffered from an intestinal disorder realizes that a poorly functioning colon can take a heavy toll on quality of life.
Nerves, hormones, and impulses in the colon muscles control colon motility (the contraction of colon muscles and the movement of colon contents). These contractions move the contents inside the colon toward the rectum. However, if the muscles of the colon, sphincters, and pelvis do not contract in the right way, the colon’s contents do not move correctly, resulting in abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, a sense of incomplete stool movement, or diarrhea.
Colon function abnormalities can result in intestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and colon cancer.1 This article will address these forms of intestinal disorders and show what can be done to support colon health.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
As many as 20 percent of adults—one in five Americans—has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, making it one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. It occurs more often in women than in men.2
Abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort, constipation, diarrhea and cramping are the main IBS symptoms, which can vary from person to person. In some IBS sufferers, symptoms subside for a few months and then return, while others report a constant worsening of symptoms over time.
Researchers have yet to discover any specific cause for IBS, but one theory is that IBS patients have a colon particularly sensitive to certain foods and stress. Immune system dysfunction may also be involved. Furthermore, normal motility may be impaired in an IBS-affected colon, which can be spasmodic or even stop working temporarily.3
Recent research has reported that serotonin also is linked with normal gastrointestinal functioning, not surprising when one considers that 95 percent of the body’s serotonin is located in the GI tract.4
Other research implies that a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract, possibly helicobacter pylori, causes IBS.5 Imbalances in reproductive hormones also can worsen this condition as women with IBS may have more symptoms during menstruation.6
Ulcerative Colitis
In ulcerative colitis, ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells lining the colon and rectum. The ulcers then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea.
Ulcerative colitis can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders, especially Crohn’s disease. However, Crohn’s disease causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall and can occur in other parts of the digestive system including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Ulcerative colitis affects men and women equally and appears to run in families.7
The most common ulcerative colitis symptoms are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Patients also may experience anemia, fatigue, rectal bleeding, loss of body fluids and nutrients, skin lesions, nausea, frequent fevers, joint pain, and growth failure in children. Ulcerative colitis may also cause arthritis, eye inflammation, liver disease, and osteoporosis.
Marked by the immune system reacting abnormally to digestive tract bacteria, ulcerative colitis may be worsened by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods.7
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect any area of the GI tract, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, or ileum. The swelling, which extends deep into the lining of the affected organ, can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn’s disease occurs in men and women equally and, like ulcerative colitis, seems to run in some families.
The most popular theory about what causes this disease is that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally, mistaking foods and other substances as foreign and attacking these "invaders". During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the intestinal lining, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury.8
Crohn’s disease patients often experience decreased appetite, which can affect their ability to receive nutrition needed for good health. In addition, Crohn’s disease is associated with diarrhea and poor absorption of necessary nutrients. Consequently, Crohn’s disease patients should follow a nutritious diet, avoid foods that seem to worsen symptoms9 and consume a multivitamin.
Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among cancers in the Western world. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous colon polyps, mushroom-like growths that may develop into cancer over time.11 These lesions can be detected and removed during colonoscopy. Studies show this procedure would decrease by greater than 80 percent the cancer death risk, provided this testing started by the age of 50, and is repeated every 5 or 10 years.10,16
Certain factors increase a person's risk of developing the disease such as increased age; a history of cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast; a family history of colon cancer, especially in a close relative before the age of 55 or multiple relatives; long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease; being a smoker;12 and consuming a diet high in hormone and antibiotic-containing red meat and low in fiber, fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish.13 Exposure to some viruses, such as particular strains of human papilloma virus, may be associated with colorectal cancer.15 Conversely, physically active individuals are at lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.14 Accordingly, lifestyle changes could decrease colorectal cancer risk as much as 60-80 percent.16-18
Natural Support
In ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and IBS, natural substances can play a role in alleviating intestinal symptoms and restoring quality of life. Although a comprehensive nutritional protocol is described below, success is often achieved through experimenting with one or two of the nutrients mentioned in order to determine if one or more of the supplements will be effective in individual cases.
Dietary fiber may lessen IBS symptoms, particularly constipation. High-fiber diets keep the colon mildly distended, which may prevent spasms. Some forms of fiber keep water in the stool, preventing hard, difficult-to-pass stools.6 Increased dietary fiber (with a high-fiber diet and/or supplement such as Detox Fiberplex) can normalize motility and alleviate IBS-related constipation and diarrhea.19
Triphala, an Ayurvedic combination of three herbs with unique laxative qualities, also can help nourish and regulate the gut. Triphala is of special help when the primary symptom of any of the inflammatory bowel diseases is chronic constipation with the associated discomfort of gas and bloating. The gentle laxative properties are without the negative side effects associated with other more powerful laxatives. Triphala increases bile production and peristalsis and enhances nutritional uptake while simultaneously aiding in proper elimination.20
In numerous studies, evidence has mounted for probiotics’ use in irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus GG are rapidly moving into clinical usage for gastrointestinal disorders, and scientific studies are providing mechanisms of action to explain the effects. Randomized controlled trials provide additional evidence that probiotics can support colon health.21
Another supplement shown to promote the health of individuals with intestinal disorders is SeaCure™. Made from deep-ocean white fish fillets, it is an excellent source of pre-digested proteins and small-chain peptide amino acids. These bioactive polypeptides help heal the smooth muscle and mucosal lining of the GI tract and improve overall gut integrity in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.22
Mastic gum is another substance that may support individuals with ulcerative colitis and IBS, due to the potential h. pylori component of these diseases. Research supports mastic’s use to restore and maintain proper gastrointestinal and digestive function and to heal damaged stomach tissues. Mastic gum exhibits powerful antibacterial activity against seven separate h. pylori strains.23
Emerging research on curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric (Curcuma longa), indicates that it, too, may help support the health of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients. Curcumin, which previously reduced colon cancer incidence in animals, caused a clear reduction in intestinal inflammation in mice. Curcumin also improved intestinal cell function during induced colitis while reducing mucosal ulceration and inflammatory cell proliferation.24
Tumor Inhibition
In regards to colon cancer, when taking either a proactive stance or finding support for an already present mutagenic concern, the approach is slightly different than when dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, and fish oil have all decreased colon carcinogenesis in preclinical models. Some studies show full inhibition of carcinogen-induced tumors in the colon of rats. Other studies show strong inhibition of spontaneous intestinal polyps in mutated mice that have consumed these nutrients.16-17,25 As previously mentioned, turmeric has reduced the occurrence of colon cancer in animals and may serve as another colon-protective nutrient. High consumption of dietary fiber also has been linked to reduced colon cancer incidence. Therefore, fiber supplements may help play a role in maintaining colon health.
Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) may shrink tumor growth, inhibit angiogenesis and block cancer metastasis. It has been tested on melanomas, colon, prostate, and breast cancers. Specifically, MCP is rich in galactoside residues that have a natural affinity to cancer cells that have galectin-3 receptors. As MCP binds to the cancer cells, it ties up these receptors so that it interferes with the cancer cells’ ability to grow and metastasize.18
Conclusion
Paying attention to colon health can play an important role in overall well being. Certain vitamins and botanicals can help support the colon in individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases as well as in individuals who want to protect the overall health of their colon. However, effective strategies are individualized and a certain amount of experimentation may be necessary.
References
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