The Myers Way® Approach to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Science Based
Written by Amy Myers, MDWhat Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Between 60 and 70 million people in the US suffer from gut infections and digestive diseases1 Among these, three conditions are the most common. These include Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Functional medicine aims to uncover the root cause of disease. More often than not, the root cause is inflammation. That’s why The Myers Way® is so successful! By addressing inflammation, thousands of people have been able to heal their gut infections and enjoy optimal health. In this article, I’m going to discuss what inflammatory bowel disease is and some of the major causes. In addition, I’ll cover deeper topics such as gut parasites and what a stool test can uncover. You’ll also have recommendations for the best IBD supplements available. Let’s begin!
What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease
You may be more familiar with the term IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. What’s the difference between IBS vs IBD? Irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms that impact the digestive tract. Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a group of inflammatory conditions that affect the intestines and colon. There are two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. One is Ulcerative colitis. The other is Crohn’s disease. These two diseases share similar symptoms yet are actually quite different.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Distinguishing between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can be challenging. Pinpointing inflammation, symptoms, and the possible causes all help lead to a solution.
By the time symptoms have begun, conventional medicine treats both diseases in much the same way: with a slew of immunosuppressive medications and invasive surgeries. By ignoring the upstream factors that led to the disease, these methods don’t address the thing that caused the Unfortunately, conventional medicine treats both diseases in much the same way. They prescribe immunosuppressive medications and invasive surgeries. By doing so, they are ignoring the upstream factors that led to the disease. These methods don’t address what caused the inflammation in the first place. Over time, Inflammatory Bowel Disease symptoms can reach beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Some symptoms even involve the eyes, joints, and skin.
Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Regardless of whether it’s IBS vs IBD, the causes can be very much the same. However, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are considered idiopathic. This means their causes are unknown. Also, they aren’t officially classified as autoimmune diseases. They do share some of the same risk factors, though. These risk factors are what I call the “pillars” of autoimmunity:
- Pillar I: Leaky Gut
- Pillar II: Diet
- Pillar III: Toxins
- Pillar IV: Infections and Stress
In my clinic, I start with these four factors. First, I heal the gut and clean up the diet. Then, I address any toxins, infections, and stress that could be driving inflammation. That said, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis often respond to different approaches.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease – What You Need to Know
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an umbrella term for several types of digestive disorders. As the name implies, inflammation can trigger these. Let’s take a closer look at how this inflammation takes place.
Gut Infection
SIBO and candida overgrowth are common in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. A compromised gut makes fighting off harmful yeast, bacteria, and bacterial debris hard. As these microorganisms overpopulate, they activate your immune system. This causes gut infections that further damage your health.
In Crohn’s disease, deep ulcers and fistulas create pockets in the gut wall, where bacteria and yeast can flourish. In the beginning, you may need prescription medications to clear stubborn gut infections. After this, I recommend supplementing with plant enzymes. Caprylic acid, Candifense, and Microb-Clear® are great for this.
Gut Parasites
Most people don’t like the idea they might be living with parasites. The truth is that even in our hyper-hegenic society, we are routinely exposed to parasites. Contact with the soil, undercooked meat, bug bites, and even animals can lead to gut parasites. A stool test is one of the best ways to screen IBD patients for gut parasites. This helps assess whether the parasite is harmful or beneficial. Yes, you can have both! Using a comprehensive stool test helps determine which type of gut parasite you have.
Parasites can actually cause ulcerative colitis. Amoebic colitis produces many of the same painful symptoms as ulcerative colitis. This amoeba comes from a protozoa. Medications and anti-parasitic herbs can sometimes be enough to clear the gut infection.
Is there a link between gut parasites and Crohn’s disease? For the most part, gut infections are not a common cause of Crohn’s disease. In fact, some Crohn’s treatments use certain parasitic worms to reduce symptoms. These particular worms are called helminth. Think of hookworms and whipworms, Helminths have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. Some may even to reduce symptoms of Crohn’s2 Many researchers suspect this is because of the “hygiene hypothesis.” This is the idea that the industrialized world is too clean. In effect, we are no longer exposed to the common pathogens our ancestors had.
Doing a parasite cleanse may help reduce inflammation in the gut. Be sure to work with a functional medicine practitioner on this. They will guide you on which medications and supplements are right for you.
The Myers Way® Approach
I’m always amazed at how many people are able to reverse their symptoms and go on to enjoy a vibrant and healthy life. By adopting The Myers Way® lifestyle, those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease can heal their gut. They can also support their immune system and have fewer (if any) digestive symptoms! Let’s go over The Myers Way® approach to reversing Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Specific Carbohydrate Diet
Carbohydrates often get a bad rap. However, it’s important to remember that some are helpful while others are harmful. For now, I recommend you avoid all foods that are downright inflammatory. This is critical, especially in the beginning when your gut is so inflamed. Inflammatory foods to avoid include gluten, dairy, and grains. If you have any form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, reduce your sugar intake as well. This reduces yeast and bacteria overgrowth, which is also a culprit of poor gut health.
I’ve found that the protein content of a patient’s diet also makes a difference. A higher protein diet works well for people with Crohn’s disease. Examples of these include the Paleo diet or the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)3 However, those with ulcerative colitis usually respond better to less protein. A high-fiber diet that contains a lot of omega-3s is ideal for someone with ulcerative colitis.
Low FODMap Diet
Another diet that is excellent for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the Low FODMap Diet. FODMap is an acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. People with IBD may have a hard time digesting these types of carbohydrates. Following a Low FODMap diet involves avoiding starchy vegetables. Examples include artichokes, garlic, cauliflower, and onion. It’s also a gluten-free diet. This means no bread, pasta, or baked goods. Also, avoid legumes, cashews, and pistachios. Instead, focus on vegetables such as eggplant, green beans, and carrots. Bell peppers and zucchini are great options, too. You’re allowed to have some cheese, along with eggs. Additionally, you can also enjoy pumpkin seeds and walnuts as well4
IBD Supplements
Not only can diet help, but IBD supplements can aid in soothing and restoring an inflamed gut.
Probiotics
Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, can lead to inflammation. Ensuring ample amounts of beneficial bacteria is key to encouraging healthy digestion. Probiotics 100 Capsules contains 14 of the most important probiotic strains for maximum digestive support. As your gut heals, you can maintain optimal levels by taking Probiotic 30 Capsules. If you’re dealing with SIBO, taking a soil-based probiotic will be more beneficial. Primal Earth Probiotics offers soil-based probiotics formulated to support healthy flora in the large intestine and colon.
Leaky Gut Revive®
Supporting a weak gut barrier is key to healing gut infections. Leaky Gut Revive® combines soothing botanicals with the powerful effects of L-Glutamine. This amino acid nourishes your gut cells and restores gut lining strength.
Gut ImmunIG™
Colostrum is gaining popularity for its immune-boosting benefits. Gut ImmunIG™ is the ultimate dairy-free colostrum alternative for maximum immune support. It contains ImmunoLin®, which binds to antigens and helps eliminate toxins from the body.
Microb-Clear
Healing from toxins and inflammation takes time. Sometimes, infections are hard to get rid of. Microb-Clear® is a powerful blend of botanical extracts, minerals, and fatty acids that provides an ideal environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive with.
Caprylic Acid
Addressing yeast and bacteria overgrowth can lead to Candida overgrowth. Those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are especially prone to this. Caprylic Acid helps maintain a healthy microbiome, especially in the colon.
Candifense
Another powerful supplement in keeping candida yeast from taking over is Candifense. This blend of plant-based enzymes supports microbe balance in the GI tract. It also comes completely free of herbal ingredients.
The Final Word on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Digestive disease affects millions nationwide. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to cover diseases of the intestines and colon. The two main types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Causes of IBD can include leaky gut, gut parasites, diet, toxins, and stress. A stool test can further tell you which parasites or infections you have. Sometimes, doing a parasite cleanse can help.
Focusing on reducing inflammation and healing the gut is key. Together, these steps can help restore your health. The Myers Way® lifestyle is a proven method that has helped thousands regain their life back! By eliminating inflammatory foods and reducing toxins, your gut can begin repairing itself. It gets easier when you have the right IBD supplements. Gut ImmunIG™, Primal Earth Probiotics, and Leaky Gut Revive® offer foundational support in your IBD journey. Visit the store and find your perfect supplement regimen today!