Probiotics May Help Boost Your Immune System
Probiotics may help give your immune system a boost and inhibit the growth of harmful gut bacteria .
Also, some probiotics have been shown to promote the production of natural antibodies in the body. They may also boost immune cells like the IgA-producing cells, T lymphocytes and natural killer cells (
Bottom Line:
Certain probiotics may help you lose weight and belly fat. However, other strains have been linked to weight gain.
Natural Treatments For Microscopic Colitis
Of course, the medications above often come with side effects, so supplementing with probiotics or an herb like boswellia serrata may be a good option.
As of now, research on probiotics has only focused on very small sample sizes.
One small study found that probiotics taken twice daily for 3 months helped resolve diarrhea in 29% of patients with CC compared to 13% taking a placebo .
Another showed that the use of probiotics were effective in those with LC, but not as much in patients with CC 63537-3/abstract” rel=”nofollow”> 6).
Boswellia serrata extract, one herbal treatment touted for its anti-inflammatory properties, has also been tested in the treatment of microscopic colitis.
One study showed that a 6-week treatment of boswellia serrata resulted in 63% of patients in remission versus 27% in the placebo group.
However, the trial only tested 31 patients again, larger studies are needed to prove boswellia serrata to be an effective treatment .
Other popular anti-inflammatory supplements like curcumin, ginger and omega-3 fatty acids have not yet been studied for microscopic colitis.
Summary: Treatment is the same for both LC and CC. The prescription medication budesonide has proven most effective, while over-the-counter antidiarrheals like Pepto-Bismol can also help ease symptoms. Probiotics and boswellia serrata extract may also resolve diarrhea, though more research is needed.
Secretory Or Osmotic Diarrhea
The exact mechanism of diarrhea in MC is not fully clarified. In CC, diarrhea has been regarded as secretory, caused by reduced net absorption of Na+ and Cl- ions due to epithelial cell lesions, and the thickened collagenous layer as a co-factor causing a diffusion barrier, and by an additional active chloride secretion . Fasting, on the other hand, seems to reduce diarrhea, which would indicate an osmotic component in some patients, as well .
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How To Diagnose And Treat Lymphocytic Colitis
Lymphocytic colitis diagnosis often begins with a visit to your regular physician. They will ask you about your symptoms and family medical history. You may be referred to a gastroenterologist, who is a doctor that specializes in issues of the digestive tract. Other common causes of diarrhea will be ruled out and a physical exam, including an abdominal exam, will be administered. Other tests will likely be run including blood tests to check for anemia or infection, tests for celiac disease, and tests on stool samples.
For some patients, a colonoscopy will be required to confirm the diagnosis. This test involves the insertion of a small camera into the rectum to examine the colon and intestinal tract. An intestinal biopsy may be performed during the colonoscopy, so a portion of the tissue of your intestine can be tested.
For treatment your doctor may prescribe medicines to help stop and prevent the episodes of chronic diarrhea. Most patients only require these medications over a short treatment cycle.
How To Take Probiotic Supplements
We cant stress enough that its a good idea to visit a doctor and/or a registered dietitian before taking something new to treat ulcerative colitis.
They may have some advice about which probiotic to take and what dosage might be right for you.
Probiotic dosage for ulcerative colitis is not an exact science. The dosages found to be effective in various studies usually range from 2 billion to 25 billion colony-forming units . The more bacteria, the merrier.
Check the expiration date and make sure to store them properly, refrigerating them if recommended on the packaging. These are living organisms that require a little TLC, and they die out over time if not used.
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Food Sources Of Probiotics
Probiotics found in common food items are also a good source of healthy bacteria for your gut.
You never know which foods might trigger a UC flare though, so start out slowly and keep a food diary to record when you decide to introduce new items to your diet.
Some good probiotic-rich foods to try are:
- Yogurt
- Other fermented milk products such as kefir or Yakult a great source of calcium for the lactose intolerant
- Sauerkraut
- Other fermented foods you can make at home
- Tempeh and miso , which are also good sources of protein
A lot of yogurts youll find in the grocery store are overheated during production, which kills healthy bacteria. To get the most from a yogurt, look for one that contains the live and active cultures seal and includes lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium.
Everyones UC triggers are different, and some of these recommended probiotic foods might be a no-go for you.
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The What Can I Eat On A Fodmap Diet Food List
This is a giant list of what foods to eat, and what foods to avoid when following a low FODMAP diet.
Its based on the latest published FODMAPs data .
The first page looks like this .
Alternatively, you can download a large and printable 4-page PDF version right now here:
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About Stephanie Garr
Stephanie is a certified nutrition consultant. She graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in journalism and psychology in 2003, and later studied holistic nutrition at Bauman College in Berkeley, California.
Learn more about her on the About page.
Joe Leech, Dietitian
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Mc And Association With Other Diseases
MC patients have a higher prevalence of certain diseases, including a number of autoimmune pathology . The diseases most commonly found to coexist with MC are bile acid diarrhoea and autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis . In a recent study with 547 MC patients, increased prevalence of thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud/Crest syndrome, celiac disease and IBS was found compared to a control group .
Bile acid diarrhoea is caused by excess bile acid concentration entering the colon. It was initially identified in patients who had undergone resection of the terminal ileum and in patients with ileal CD . The biochemical structure of certain bile acids has been shown to induce fluid secretion, increase mucosal permeability and produce mucosal damage . One study found that 44% of the patients with CC had bile acid diarrhoea . Patients with both MC and bile acid diarrhoea usually respond well to bile acid binding treatment .
Simplified scheme illustrating the role of microbiota and gut barrier alterations in the overlap of IBD related disorders. IBD, inflammatory bowel disease MC, microscopic colitis.
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How Do I Tell Whats In A Probiotic
Probiotics must list on their labels whats in them, including the strains and any other ingredients added.
On a product, a probiotic strain should be listed as a long name followed by a series of letters, and sometimes numbers too. For example, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, or Bifidobacterium lactis HN019.
The first part of the name is the genus. The second part of the name is the species and the letters and numbers at the end are the strain designation.
If you know what the name of each strain in the probiotic is you can link it to any research thats been done into the strain.
Some companies produce a Trademarked name for strains of bacteria in their products. This can be for marketing purposes and isnt an indication of one strain being better than another. If a product contains a Trademarked strain the packaging must still list the scientific name for the strain.
If a probiotic does not list the full name of the specific bacteria in the produce or they do not state how much of the bacteria is present in the product this is a sign to be wary.
Make sure the product contains at least the level of probiotics that was used in the research. These are shown as CFU on the bottle/packaging/website. Most successful probiotic research has used more than or equal to 109 CFU per dose so this is the amount of that bacteria needed to have the beneficial outcome shown in the study.
Treatments For Lymphocytic Colitis
What is lymphocytic colitis?
Lymphocytic colitis is a type of microscopic colitis, a condition characterized by chronic non-bloody watery diarrhea. People with lymphocytic colitis have a normal appearing bowel when assessed by an endoscope or an X-ray but have microscopic inflammation of the bowel when assessed by a biopsy . The cause of this disorder is unknown. This review is an update of a previously published Cochrane review.
What treatments have been tried for lymphocytic colitis?
Budesonide, mesalazine with or without cholestyramine, beclometasone dipropionate and bismuth subsalicylate have been tried as treatment for lymphocytic colitis. Budesonide is an immunosuppressive steroid drug that is quickly metabolized by the liver resulting in reduced steroid-related side-effects. It is taken by mouth. Beclometasone dipropionate is also a steroid drug. Steroid drugs are used to treat inflammation. Mesalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug which is often taken by mouth. Cholestyramine is a drug that helps the body remove bile acids. Pepto-Bismol®, is an antacid medication used to treat temporary discomforts of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
What did the researchers investigate?
The researchers investigated whether these drugs improve the symptoms of lymphocytic colitis or microscopic inflammation and whether any side effects result from treatment. The researchers searched the medical literature extensively up to 11 August 2016.
What did the researchers find?
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Risks Associated With The Use Of Probiotics
- Certain probiotics may lead to more gas, looser stools, and bloating.
- Probiotics could even make your ulcerative colitis worse.
- Probiotics are not useful in causing faster healing during an ulcerative colitis flare-up.
- As probiotics contain living bacteria, it may increase infection risks in people with a compromised immune system. Because a weakened immune system might not be able to keep the live bacteria in check, and an infection may occur.
- Those suffering from cancer, diabetes, and other long-term illness must consult their doctor before incorporating probiotic drinks and foods in the regular diet.
- It is always beneficial to speak with your health care provider before adding probiotics to your daily routine, as there is limited information on probiotics.
Probiotics are healthy gut bacteria that are essential to ensure you have enough of them. Probiotic for ulcerative colitis is wondrously discussed and does not cause any harm to your body. But ensure to have an appropriate dosage, since excessive consumption can lead to bloating and indigestion. It is always beneficial to keep the risk associated with the use of probiotics in mind.
What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Lymphocytic Colitis
The exact cause of lymphocytic colitis is unclear. It can sometimes be related to autoimmune diseases or infection. Autoimmune conditions cause the immune system to attack healthy cells in the body, often causing inflammation, as is found in lymphocytic colitis. Some researchers believe it is caused by something unfamiliar in the digestive tract, such as bacteria, pollen, or foods previously foreign to the body.
Certain medicines are also known to occasionally cause the condition. These include antidepressants, anti-inflammatories found in certain pain medications excluding steroids, medications for high cholesterol, medications for acid reflux, and medications for diabetes. Smoking is also linked to the development of lymphocytic colitis, often occurring after the patient quits smoking. Other studies have found a connection between coffee drinking and lymphocytic colitis, but these findings are not well documented.
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How Probiotics Help Ulcerative Colitis
If youre looking to add probiotics to your treatment to help ulcerative colitis, to remedy your symptoms, or to stave off the disease, then youre keenly interested in how probiotics help ulcerative colitis specifically.
A recent meta-analysis, a study that attempts to draw conclusions based on the results of all previous studies on a topic, has found that probiotics are indeed effective in preventing a relapse of UC.
There are a couple of different ways that probiotics help, using different mechanisms. One way they help is by acting as a barrier in the intestinal tract to prevent other bacteria from causing an immune system response.
Another means by which probiotics help is in the way they enhance mucus production to create a thicker layer that protects against invasive bacteria.
Similarly, the effect on the internal mucosal immune system in the intestines is to prompt the secretion of protective immunoglobulins which have a whole host of protective qualities in the body.
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Finally, the function of the mucosal immune system is altered and with a probiotic supplement, it becomes more anti-inflammatory. This is where people with ulcerative colitis appear to have the most benefit.
Probiotics make luminal bacteria less effective in causing an intestinal inflammatory response. This means less damage, less pain, less urgency with bowel movements and more.
Buyer Beware For Probiotics Users
In the U.S., probiotics are marketed as dietary supplements, so they havent gone through the same rigorous FDA testing as drugs.
This means we have no way of knowing for certain if a product has the bacterial strains or the concentration of bacteria that its label claims.
The higher-ups at the FDA are hoping to change this soon, but for now, we have to go by our own experience and hope for the best.
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How They Compare To Other Uc Treatments
The most common prescription medication for UC is mesalamine. This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug . Several large studies looked at how well E. coli Nissle worked compared to mesalamine. They found that the treatments were equally effective against UC.
No studies have compared VSL#3 to mesalamine head-to-head, but experts think the probioticâs effects on UC are similar.
Lifestyle Modifications And Symptom Management
MC has very clearly defined risk factors, including smoking and various medications. Lifestyle modifications including decreasing caffeine, dairy , and alcohol consumption may improve the diarrhea seen in MC. It is also critical that concomitant celiac disease and bile acid malabsorption be appropriately diagnosed and managed, as they can be associated with MC.
Withdrawal of medications that have been implicated in causing MC may be considered as an addition to the standard first-line therapy. The medications with the strongest known association are acarbose, aspirin, NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors , ranitidine, sertraline, and ticlopidine., In a true case of a drug-induced MC, clinical and histologic improvement as well as recurrence with rechallenge should be documented.
Loperamide was until recently the only identified therapy for MC. It continues to have a role in symptomatic management with doses of 216 mg/day according to retrospective studies. It is important to note that clinical remission is seldom achieved in loperamide monotherapy, and there is no evidence of histologic improvement. No randomized placebo-controlled trials have been done to study the use of loperamide in MC.
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Function Of Large Intestine
The large intestine is a significant part of the digestive tract. It is also known as the gastrointestinal tract . The GI consists of the large intestine, colon as well as the rectum. So, the region starting from the mouth to the rectal opening covers the GI tract. Your small intestine breaks the food particles and sends it to the large intestine. The main function of the large intestine is to reabsorb the water and electrolytes. The waste is then transferred by the colon to the rectum. Finally, the rectum stores the waste , which gets expelled from the body.
Is Managing Your Microscopic Colitis Possible
The good news is you can easily manage your microscopic colitis.
And unlike other inflammatory bowel diseases like UC and Crohns disease, it does not increase a persons risk of getting colon cancer.
Either way, its main symptomchronic watery diarrheacan be tough to deal with. Both lymphocytic and collagenous colitis share this symptom, as well as risk factors and treatments.
While there is no cure, prescription medications such as budesonide and over-the-counter antidiarrheals like Pepto-Bismol can help ease symptoms.
Natural supplements including probiotics and boswellia serrata extract may also resolve diarrhea, though more research is needed.
Overall, the most effective way to manage microscopic colitis is through diet and lifestyle.
Eat foods that are easy on the digestion, including low-fat and low-fiber options. Avoid fried, fatty and sugary foods, as well as caffeine and alcohol.
You may also want to remove gluten and lactose from your diet. Always be sure to stay hydrated and replenish any electrolytes you may have lost through diarrhea.
Also, since a number of prescription drugs have been linked to microscopic colitis, you may want to talk to your doctor about alternative medications.
Ultimately, relief from your symptoms is very possible. It just takes a little extra workbut at least that means fewer trips to the toilet.
About Stephanie Garr
Learn more about her on the About page.
Joe Leech, Dietitian
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How Probiotics Can Help With Ulcerative Colitis
Treating UC requires a two-pronged approach: managing the symptoms you feel and managing the inflammation in your colon to put the disease into clinical remission. Feeling well and being healed inside dont always go together, Dr. Hudesman says. Until we know more, dont expect that using a probiotic will fix the underlying inflammation.
But if you have noticeable symptoms such as gas, bloating, and loose bowel movements, using probiotics might help you find some relief. Ways to incorporate probiotics into your diet include:
- Eating yogurt that advertises live, active cultures on the label
- Drinking kefir, a fermented milk drink
- Eating kimchi, a Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables
If youre interested in taking a probiotic supplement, talk to your doctor first. Whether in food or supplement form, probiotics should only be used to complement other treatments for UC. So if your doctor prescribed medication for your UC, dont stop taking it.
Use probiotics with your usual medical therapy, if needed, Hudesman says.
