Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the colon is affected with areas of severe inflammation causing bloody diarrhea, cramping and straining, according to the Mayoclinic.com website. Researchers suspect that either autoimmune reactions or heredity may cause ulcerative colitis. However, certain treatments such as digestive enzymes help digest food efficiently and may alleviate your symptoms. Although enzymes are a natural part of digestion, always consult your practitioner before using supplements to treat serious diseases.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible food fibers that trigger the production and activity of friendly bacteria in the intestines, according to Innvista. Prebiotics consist primarily of complex carbohydrates that coat the mucus membranes and protect the intestines and colon from harmful organisms that may contribute to ulcerative colitis. Digestion of carbohydrates occurs with the addition of the enzyme amylase, which is made in the pancreas and also found in saliva, writes Felicia Klemint in "The Acid Alkaline Balance." By consuming various foods high in prebiotics, you will add healthy bacteria to protect against ulcerative colitis and stimulate the production of the enzyme amylase. This speeds the breakdown of all carbohydrates helping your body eliminate them more efficiently.
Prebiotic carbohydrates are found in foods such as bananas, all berries, oatmeal, garlic, whole grains, tomatoes, flaxseed, onions, artichokes and leafy green vegetables like dandelion greens, spinach, charge, collards and mustard greens. Additional foods containing prebiotics are legumes, wheat and barley. However, if you are allergic to wheat and gluten, avoid both wheat and barley, which are high in gluten.
Protease
All pancreatic enzymes assist digestion, and protease is produced to aid in the digestion of proteins, according to the UNC School of Medicine. If there is a shortage of protease, protein digestion may be compromised and foods may pass through the colon undigested. This may contribute to increased attacks of ulcerative colitis. Taking supplements containing pepsin may help increase protein digestion, according to Colorado State University. Pepsin is found both in human and animal enzymes and is often included in commercial enzyme preparations. Vegetarians who prefer non-animal enzyme sources can substitute bromelain for pepsin. Bromelain comes from pineapples and the body makes use of it for protein digestion, says the University of Michigan Health System.
Lipase
The enzyme lipase facilitates fat breakdown in the body, according to Colorado State University. Lipase is responsible for digesting all fats and triglycerides. Adding digestive enzyme supplements containing lipase to your diet helps to protect your intestines from the build up of excess, undigested fats, which may aggravate ulcerative colitis. Besides taking supplements including lipase, consider adding certain foods high in lipase to your diet, suggests Kliment. Raw, organic milk from goats, cows and sheep contains lipase, adds Colorado State University. Butter made from organic, raw milk is high in healthy cultures and lipase and available at health food stores. Patients should use caution when consuming raw milk products. Only buy them from farms that are certified to sell organic and raw milk products. Consume raw milk products within 48 hours of purchase to protect against spoilage.
References
- Colorado State University: Exocrine Secretions of the Pancreas
- "The Acid Alkaline Balance"; Felicia Drury Kliment; 2002
- MayoClinic.com: Ulcerative Colitis
- Innvista: Prebiotics
- UNC School of Medicine -- University of North Carolina: Ulcerative Colitis -- Chrohn's Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease--Diagnosis
