Turmeric and Crohn's Disease
Tumeric and Curcumin Information
Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system, is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Also called ileitis or enteritis, common symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as weight loss, joint pain, fever, and rectal bleeding.
Crohn’s can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but is most commonly found in lower part of the small intestine, in an area called the ileum.
While the specific cause of Crohn’s disease is not known, the most popular theory is that it is the result of the immune system’s inappropriate response to the presence of normal stomach bacteria. Mistaking this harmless gut flora for harmful bacteria or infectious disease, the body produces an excess of white blood cells, which attack the lining of the intestine and cause painful inflammation in the GI tract. If untreated, the inflammation can ultimately lead to ulcers.
Crohns disease is not curable, but while the condition is chronic, it is also usually intermittent. Suffers experience both flare-ups and periods of dormancy in which they are largely symptom free. What causes such fluctuations in the severity of the disease is not known, but certain factors may play a role in minimizing symptoms, foremost of which are diet and nutrition. One longstanding remedy used to alleviate the discomfort caused by Crohn’s is turmeric.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice and food coloring related to the ginger family and a common ingredient of curry is also a staple of traditional medicine in both India and China. It is also known to have been employed by the Ancient Egyptians as a healing plant. More recently, scientists and medical researchers are turning their attention to turmeric as they investigate its potential for both preventing and curing various diseases. Studies have indicated that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, may be effective in reducing and even preventing both ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. In research carried out on mice, scientists found that mice fed on a diet rich in curcumin experienced less intestinal inflammation when exposed to irritants.
This is because turmeric, an anti-inflammatory, decreases congestion and inflammation in the mucus membranes. The mucus membranes, which coat the stomach and intestines as well as the throat and lungs, are vulnerable to swelling and irritation in the face of conditions such as Crohn’s. Turmeric not only reduces this irritation, it also has antibacterial properties, thus preventing infection.
Because Crohns is not curable, but only manageable, treatment depends largely on the location and severity of the disease, as well as the body’s reaction to various treatments. Doctors treating Crohn’s disease attempt to relieve symptoms and alleviate pain, and thus focus largely on controlling the inflammation and correcting any nutritional deficiencies that may result from the disease. Treatment generally includes a combination of prescribed drugs, nutritional supplements and dietary adjustments.
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