Along with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The condition causes ulcers to form in the lining of the large intestine. Bloody diarrhea, pain, gas, bloating and intermittent constipation may be mild or severe. While the cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, it is thought to be an autoimmune condition that runs in families. There is no cure, but some medications may help control symptoms. No supplements have been shown through randomized, controlled, scientific studies to be safe and effective for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Probiotics
One theory about ulcerative colitis is that it may be triggered by an abnormal immune response to certain foods or bacteria in the gut and that eliminating offending foods or bacteria can help reduce inflammation. The overgrowth of harmful bacteria may be controlled by taking supplements of friendly bacteria called probiotics, which compete for nutrients and space in the bowel. Lactobaccilus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum are two of the many probiotic strains commonly used to fight bad bacteria. The higher number of colonies and combinations listed on the label, the more potent the supplement. The addition of soluble fiber, or prebiotics, to the diet helps support friendly bacteria, which need it to thrive. MayoClinic.com states that prebiotics are found naturally in human breast milk, onions, tomatoes, bananas, honey, garlic, barley and wheat. Other sources include oat meal, artichokes, asparagus, green beans, lentils and chickpeas.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Americans consume a lot of meat, chicken, eggs, baked goods, corn oil and cottonseed oil, all rich sources of omega-6 fats. In moderation, these fats can be healthy, but too much of them can cause inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oils, walnuts and flaxseed, reduce inflammation and modulate immune reactions, according to A.P. Simopoulos of The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health in Washington, DC. "The Journal of the American College of Nutrition" published Simopoulos' review of studies in December of 2002, which suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplements, coupled with a reduction of dietary omega-6 fats, may help reduce the pain and inflammation experienced in ulcerative colitis.
Amino Acids
Proteins are made up of amino acids. Glutamine is a main building block in the maintenance of a healthy digestive tract. French researcher M. Coeffier and colleagues at Rouen University hospital state that promising experimental studies have indicated that glutamine can provide nutritional support while calming intestinal inflammation. The report was published in the March 2010 edition of the journal "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases." Other amino acids which may be helpful in ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel diseases include glycine, cysteine, histadine and taurine.
