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Other than causing you to feel awful in the morning [hang on, I have Crohn's Disease I often feel awful in the morning] What else could a poor night's sleep be doing for your health. Well it has been discovered that a lack of sleep, or a disturbance in your sleep cycles, may increase inflammation in the digestive system. Now if you have Crohn's Disease you don't want to be doing anything that causes more inflammation. How does this work - The Sleep and Digestion Connection. The circadian clock refers to the cycle of sleeping and waking. This is an internal clock, located inside the brain. A brain structure called the pineal gland secretes a hormone, melatonin, at night that helps regulate the clock. In fact, many body functions, including digestion, are influenced by it. During the sleep cycle, digestion slows down. There is less movement and less production of digestive juices. Although researchers are still discovering details on this, several digestive problems — including Crohn's — have been linked to sleep disturbance. In fact it has even been discovered that chemical messengers produced by the body during inflammation may disrupt sleep. This can set up a vicious cycle in which inflammation interrupts sleep and lack of sleep triggers more inflammation. We also know that sleep disturbance can also be caused by symptoms of Crohn's, like abdominal discomfort and having to get up to use the bathroom at night. Also many sufferers of Crohn's also take steroids. These have also have been shown to interfere with sleep. So it appears it is a kind of a lose lose. Tips for Better Sleep In order to sleep better you must improve your sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene is simply a group of healthy habits that help promote a good night’s sleep. These healthy habits are:
To find out more about the Importance of Sleep and your Crohn's Disease CHECK OUT my Ebook http://ow.ly/UUiv30nGpuo It has everything you need to figure out your triggers, have a healthier gut and significantly improve the quality of life. Who doesn't want that? Or if you have any more questions please feel free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael  My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
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Gelatin is a translucent, powdery substance, resembling the texture and appearance of white sand, and is full of amino acids. While our bodies can make some of the amino acids on their own, we experience higher levels of inflammation, sickness, compromised digestion, aches and pains, resulting in depleted essential amino acid levels that the human body requires to function optimally.
Gelatin’s amino acid profile
One of the most valuable amino acids found in gelatin is glycine, which helps to lower inflammation, improve mental alertness, joints and digestive health as well as helping to prevent and heal leaky gut. This is what makes gelatin an important food to add to your diet when you have Crohn's Disease. In addition to this, gelatin has a number of other key benefits if you have Crohn's Disease: ​( Thank you to Changing Habits for this great list.)
11 HEALTH BENEFITS OF GELATIN
1. Skin health Consuming more gelatin in our diets is a smart natural skin care approach. The reason for this is that gelatin has skin healing properties due to its rich source of collagen. Collagen is considered one of the building blocks for skin, it helps with skin elasticity, reduces skin roughness, aging, wrinkles, stretch marks and helps protect you from free radical damage. 2. Teeth, nails and hair Gelatin provides abundant amounts of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous which helps to build and maintain strong teeth, nails and hair. 3. Cellulite and stretch marks Cellulite is caused by a breakdown or loss of collagen. Gelatin also helps prevent stretch marks by improving the skins strength, elasticity, tone and firmness. 4. Hormone balance The glycine in gelatin helps the body to make glutathione which is crucial for helping to remove excess estrogen from the body. 5. Adrenals Under stressful situations the body requires more minerals, nutrients and amino acids which can be provided to the body from gelatin. Gelatin has been found to help rejuvenate organs such as the adrenals as it helps the body to deal with stress easier. 6. Mood booster Many people take amino acid supplements to naturally boost mental focus and clarity, ‘happy’ hormones and reduce nor-epinephrine (stress hormones). However, what they don’t know is that gelatin can aid in all of this as it contains many amino acids, one being glycine which acts similarly to an anti-anxiety and an anti-depressant, but without the negative side effects. 7. Boosts metabolism Glycine also helps to boost metabolism and also helps to regulate insulin sensitivity keeping people from storing abdominal fat. 8. Digestion Gelatin is incredibly easy to digest. Some of the amino acids founds in gelatin helps to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach which is essential for digestion and nutrient assimilation. 9. Keeps you satiated Taking gelatin increases satiety hormones and helps to control and lower hunger hormones. 10. Improves sleep Gelatin has been found to not only aid sleep, but also improves sleep quality and reduces day time sleepiness. 11. Aids liver detoxification Often in today’s toxic world the body can’t make enough glycine needed to keep up with the body’s detoxification needs. Taking gelatin provides additional glycine which supports the neutralisation of toxins in the liver and aids the body to naturally detox from heavy metals along with toxins and chemicals from our diet and environment. HOW TO ADD MORE GELATIN TO YOUR DIET. The best way to consume gelatin is to honour the whole animal and eat from ‘Head to Toe’, meaning you use the bones and connective tissues from healthy animals to make foods like stock or bone broth. You can then use this stock or bone broth as the base of curries, soups, stews and to cook vegetables in. While eating bone broth is one of the best ways to get gelatin, collagen, nutrients, minerals and other important nutritional components, we do understand that this isn’t always easy or possible for some people. Another alternative is to add gelatin powder to your diet, which can allow you to make it an easy and simple addition to many foods like smoothies, coffee, hot chocolates, gravies, and many more. HOW MUCH GELATIN DO I NEED? Most people can start off with ½ – 1 Tbsp of gelatin (or 1 cup of bone broth) per day without any side effects and are able to slowly increase the amount every week or so as you body becomes used to the volume. As everyone is unique and has different requirements, the key here is to listen to your body and its needs. ​ It’s important not to get too carried away with consuming gelatin, especially if you are new to it. Taking too much gelatin too quickly can lead to some digestive distress, so start slowly and listen to your body’s signs and symptoms.
If you are interested in learning more about Gelatin, this is also an amazing resource.
​If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor.
​ Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael 
​My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com ​ LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this blog post is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this blog. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.  I was diagnosed with Crohn's at a young age and my journey through my teenage years was precarious as a result. I was sick, I was well, and I was ill again. As a result, school was not a great place for me. I went from a straight-A student to just getting by, and I felt like I was always struggling. I was stressed. It’s hard to study, hang out with friends and have a part-time job when you have this disease. I am sure you all know what I mean.
I finally went off to Uni, and I struggled again. The lack of energy and the stress played havoc with my health until I finally succumbed to having surgery. I thought this was going to be the answer, BUT it merely opened up another can of worms for my health. I continued to fight my way through my study until I graduated. However, not long after I started work as a chiropractor, the wheels fell off again. My health went, and again I agreed to another surgery. This experience was far worse than the first. I became septic, spent I month in Intensive Care, nearly died three times and was left with 90cm of Small Bowel. To say I have experienced everything this disease can throw at you is an understatement. During my life with Crohn's, I have always struggled with what my mind wants to do and what my body was able to do. I had plans, goals, dreams but this disease was continually thwarting them. However, the real reason I struggled was that I couldn’t handle the way people looked at me or thought of me because of what they saw on the outside. That was my real struggle. On the outside, I seemed ok due to the medication they put me on, BUT you guys know the truth. Inside I was dying. Again, the stress, the lack of energy, the trying to live up to my own expectations, without even thinking of the judgement of others. It was all too much — the self-medicating, the loneliness, the depression that was taking over my life. I was spending my days helping others to live their best life and yet I was miserable and definitely NOT living the life that I had dreamed of. I think I hit the wall a few times during this journey. It took a few bangs on the head to get me to realise I needed to change. I already knew I wanted to, but I guess I didn’t know how. My most vivid memory was the day I left the hospital after spending four months trapped inside. My surgeon said to me as I was leaving the hospital that he wished me good luck and that there was nothing they could do for me medically. He wasn’t sure of what lay ahead for me but thought I probably wouldn’t live very long. I was 49 kg and stooped over like an old man. When in reality I was 28 years old and should have been in the prime of my life. As I left, he handed me the Serenity Prayer. That certainly stopped me in my tracks. After this encounter with my surgeon, I realised that if I wanted to live, then I needed to take control of my health. None of the medical doctors I saw offered me any real solution. (BTW I am not a doctor basher at all. My son wants to study medicine. BUT they couldn’t help me.) It’s not their fault as this disease doesn’t seem to fit the medical model currently being taught to our doctors. I realised I needed to go way outside the box and try and find people or things that offered me a different solution or a different way of healing. And, believe me, I tried everything. I cooked goats’ intestines; I ate green Papaya leaves cooked, I ate boiled Cascara seeds. I travelled to India, America, Thailand to find the answers. One of the most vivid memories I have though is travelling to the rainforests in far north Queensland and living with a natural hygienist. We ate raw food, bathed in the river and shared stories on healing. This time cemented my views on what had happened to me. Why I had gotten sick, why I was now left with 90cm of short bowel and told I wouldn’t live very long. This time also taught me the things that I needed to do to get better. All the crazy things I’d done that I now needed to let go of. It became obvious to me. I had made being well so complicated that there was no way anyone could stick to what I thought I had to do. It was so painful to think about the steps, the actions, the complicated diet. I kept failing at sticking to it and then I would give up. At least if I ate a grilled chicken burger from Burger King (Hungry Jacks in Australia), I felt pleasure for a while. This was a vicious cycle I had been spiralling down so it was crucial I had this moment while I still held the possibility that I could get well within me. I realised that I didn’t have any chances left and that if I wanted a better life in the future, I had to take action now. The answer, I discovered, was something, as a chiropractor, I already knew. The body has an amazing ability to heal if given the right circumstances. Fine tuning those circumstances and giving my body the time to heal turned out to be the solution. The difference this time over all the others was I kept it simple. While I was in the rainforest life was simple, there weren’t all the shiny objects to distract me, the excuses I had used in the past didn’t apply, eg I needed energy to get to work so it was ok to eat/drink something sugary, I was stressed, so I needed a drink to relax. As the plan unfolded, the excuses weren't there, and it turns out the plan was pretty simple. I learnt I could stick to it and I also discovered that it wasn’t the end of the world if I strayed from the plan. The plan was simple, so if I strayed, I simply got back on. We all make healing so complicated. You need this powder with these 27 other ingredients, plus you need to eat this, do that and then do these five times a day. No wonder we all fail. What my plan taught me was that it could be simple, it was easy to follow and if you strayed so what. You just began again. There were many challenges along the way to finding better health for myself. I had to let go of what I thought was the answers to allow room for the actual solutions that caused me to get healthy. I also had to quieten the noise of others who thought I was crazy because I wasn’t doing the things that I was supposed to. Even at times, I doubted myself because my path was definitely off the beaten track. I also had to remain steadfast as there were times my symptoms and health got worse before they got better. I always find this funny as I explain this concept to my patients regularly and so easily and they accept what I say, BUT for me, that was a big challenge. I wanted to HEAL now, not later and I wanted it to be easy. The result is my Crohn’s is gone. I have had pill cams, colonoscopies and there is no evidence of the disease. I have done the things I wanted, had kids, travelled and worked all over the world and been able to surf. I have also been able to instil the ingredients for great health into my children, and that really excites me as well. I also enjoy immensely being able to tell others that they can be well and live their best life. The transformation I experienced has been multi-layered. I not only have the best health that I can have, but I have also been able to assist my family in having their best health. PLUS, I have also been able to help 1000’s of other people live their happiest and healthiest lives, and that makes me super happy. Life isn’t about suffering or lack. It’s about joy and abundance. And that’s what I want to continue doing. Helping others and giving them the necessary tools to escape and to keep escaping from the jaws of this terrible disease every time it tries to take a bite out of them. I wish you well Dr Michael
If you have any of the following symptoms it could be a sign that you have gluten intolerance. Obviously, these are only a guide but people who know they are gluten intolerant will tell you these symptoms are accurate.
1. If you suffer from digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation. 2. Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten. 3. Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips. 4. Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. 5. Having symptoms such as dizziness or feelings of being off balance. 6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility. 7. Migraine headaches. 8. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue. 9. Having chicken skin on the back of your arms. This is also known as Keratosis Pilaris, and occurs as a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut. 10. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD. TESTING FOR GLUTEN INTOLERANCE. I have found the single best ways to determine if you have an issue with gluten is to do an elimination diet [you'll find this in my new Ebook - Cracking the Crohn's Guide.] and take it out of your diet for at least 2 to 3 weeks and then reintroduce it. NOTE: Gluten is a very large protein and it can take months and even years to clear from your system so the longer you can eliminate it from your diet before reintroducing it, the better. I think the best advice with gluten is that if you feel significantly better off not eating gluten or feel worse when you reintroduce it, then gluten is likely a problem for you. NOTE: In order to get accurate results from this testing method you must elimination 100% of the gluten from your diet. SO WHAT DO I DO NOW? ​ Eliminating gluten 100% from your diet means 100%. Even little amounts of gluten from cross contamination or medications or supplements can be enough to cause an immune reaction in your body. It must be 100%. You can't go by the notion that if I eat it when I am out it will be ok. You will know it is not ok! It must disappear altogether.
​Remember if you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor.
Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael 
​My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com 
​​​LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
Whether you have active IBD or are in remission then there is an almost 100 percent chance that you have a leaky gut. It is part of the deal with IBD but not widely accepted yet as a medical condition or scientifically measurable. It is likely 75 percent of the rest of the population have it. So, these extra bonus symptoms you get like skin rashes, foggy head, headaches, chronic fatigue, allergies, fibromyalgia are probably caused by your leaky gut. Often choosing a clean diet like the MCD Solution will reduce these side symptoms and allow you to live a more normal life. That’s why I always begin with diet with my patients. When your diet is not full of difficult to digest foods like grain and sugars and not leading to the overgrowth of bad bugs then you have a much better chance to heal your Crohn’s and live a normal health. Too many sufferers are happy to continue the horrible diets recommended to them which has all the nutrients supposedly but loaded with difficult to digest foods and they continue to suffer needlessly. End the foggy head, bad skin, chronic fatigue and all the rest of the symptoms and move towards feeling like you can take on the world with all the gifts and talents God has given you. The gifts, that are being hidden away by these needless symptoms. So you know you have Crohn’s disease. You probably know then that your gut health is the gateway to your own health. If your gut is healthy, chances are that you're in good health. Makes sense, right? Well, there's also a condition called leaky gut that can lead to a host of other health problems. Crohn’s disease may not be the only thing giving you grief. The chronic inflammation of IBD literally eats away at our mucosal protective lining and exposes us to entry into our body of food materials and other foreign particles which enter our lymphatics and blood stream to make every tissue and cell in our body full of toxicity and our liver works overtime to process this toxic load our brain even is poisoned by these toxins. The bad news is our bowel gets more loaded with these toxins it leaks more. The good news is that it is very reversible. What is a leaky gut? A leaky gut is a gut that leaks. The gut is naturally permeable to very small molecules in order to absorb these vital nutrients. In fact, regulating intestinal permeability is one of the basic functions of the cells that line the intestinal wall. In sensitive people, gluten can cause the gut cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break apart tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Other factors — such as infections, toxins, stress and age — can also cause these tight junctions to break apart. Once these tight junctions get broken apart, you have a leaky gut. When your gut is leaky, things like toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and more can escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these "foreign invaders" as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response to these invaders can appear in the form of any of the nine signs you have a leaky gut, which are listed below. What causes leaky gut? The main culprits are foods, infections, and toxins. Gluten is the number one cause of leaky gut. Other inflammatory foods like dairy or toxic foods, such sugar and excessive alcohol, are suspected as well. The most common infectious causes are candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Toxins come in the form of medications, steroids, antibiotics, and acid-reducing drugs, and environmental toxins like mercury, pesticides and BPA from plastics. Stress and age also contribute to a leaky gut. Signs and symptoms are completely different e.g. a red face is a sign of leaky gut dysbiosis, but symptoms can be more of a physical feeling. Symptoms can only be described by the person feeling them. If you are having pain, no one knows unless you tell them. It's the same with dizziness, numbness, lightheadedness, fatigue, vision disturbances, ringing in your ears and a whole host of other feelings that anyone not in your body is going to know about unless you describe it. That doesn't mean other people don't notice when you don't feel well. If your face is pale or you are unstable when you walk or you are sweating, then you are showing signs. Signs are just what they sound like: indicators of a problem. They also include breathing rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, etc. So if you suffer from any of the following symptoms, it’s likely that you have a leaky gut: 1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 2. Seasonal allergies or asthma. 3. Hormonal imbalances such as PMS or PCOS. 4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease. 5. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. 6. Mood and mind issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD. 7. Skin issues such as acne, rosacea, or eczema. 8. Diagnosis of candida overgrowth. 9. Food allergies or food intolerance. Remember if you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael  My Crohn's Doctor www.mycrohnsdoctor.com  LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
A healthy liver is necessary for a healthy body. as it assists with Digestion, the smooth running of the lymphatic system, regulating blood sugar, and having a healthy and glowing skin. The liver works to filter out toxins, so keeping your liver in tip-top shape is so important to keep your body functioning properly. Especially if you suffer from Crohn's disease. HOW DO I CLEAN IT? I am actually not a fan of a detox. It can put a lot of stress on your body. Even more so if you suffer from Crohn's disease. I believe the symptoms associated with a detox may be too severe for us and we already have enough to deal with symptom wise on a day to day basis. SO, WHAT DO I DO? So the key to a healthy liver is to maintain its harmony and balance. Keep it healthy rather than try to get it healthy. Here are some foods and supplements that will help the liver do its work better.
Below is a Liver Cleansing Juice via The Blender Girl Liver Cleansing Beet Carrot Apple Ginger Juice. This beet carrot apple ginger juice is sweet and delicious, and loaded with nutrients to help to build healthy blood, and clear toxins from the bowels. Prep Time 10 minutes Total Time 10 minutes Servings 1 (16-ounce glass or 480ml approx) Author Tess Masters Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe Notes Photo by Trent Lanz; styling by Alicia Buszczak  If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael  My Crohn's Doctor www.mycrohnsdoctor.com  LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
 If you have Crohn's disease, you have to be very careful about what you put into your mouth whether it is food, drinks, herbs, or even vitamins and supplements. If you are going to supplement your diet make sure you select the supplements that are going to be beneficial to your health and also improve the quality of your life. I have included my recommendations that may be beneficial to your health. They have certainly helped me. PROBIOTICS. Probiotics or good bacteria is indeed a buzz word at the moment. They are believed to provide a positive benefit for your digestion. Probiotics are available to have on their own and are even available in many food products. You must make sure you are consuming the good bacteria. These do the best job of keeping away the harmful bacteria that might aggravate your Crohn’s disease symptoms. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS We all know the benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, they fight inflammation in your body. It makes sense then that they may help the tissues most affected by Crohn’s disease. If we wish to consume them in food, we can get them in flaxseed oil and deep-sea fish like salmon. Most people find it is easier to take them as a supplement. VITAMIN D Vitamin D seems like it is the hot supplement of the moment. We are being bombarded with information. Experts believe Vitamin D plays a significant role in regulating our immune response. We know Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory condition which may be triggered by our immune system so vitamin D can then play a useful role. Our bodies can make Vitamin D naturally through sunlight but with the dangers of too much sun exposure consuming Vitamin D in food or through supplementation seems like a better option. Iron If you have Crohn’s disease, you may have a problem with the absorption of iron. As iron plays a vital role in keeping your blood healthy and maintaining your energy and sense of well-being, it is important to know if you are deficient. Make sure your doctor tests you and if you are a good quality supplement will be critical in helping you on the path to wellness. Vitamin A This vitamins role is to support your immune system which tells us that it will be beneficial to those who have Crohn's disease. Unfortunately, some sufferers have a hard time absorbing Vitamin A so taking a good quality multivitamin which contains the minimum daily requirement is recommended. If you also wish to incorporate eating extra Vitamin A in your diet make sure you eat foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, and dark leafy greens. Zinc Zinc is essential as it helps heal your tissues and assists in building strong bones throughout your life. It has been noted that some Crohn's patients are deficient in Zinc. So making sure you get enough zinc if you have Crohn's disease it is essential to make sure you are consuming enough. Zinc can be found in dark chocolate and oysters. Seeds such as sesame or pumpkin seeds or foods containing seeds like watermelon are also high in zinc. However, remember that sometimes people living with Crohn's have trouble with seeds so be very careful. Calcium Calcium is one of the essential supplements for those who have Crohn's disease. This is because sufferers often take high doses of steroids to help manage their symptoms and this puts them at a higher risk of bone loss later in their life. Consuming sufficient calcium also reduces the risk for cancers associated with Crohn's disease, such as colon cancer. Make sure you consume Vitamin D with your calcium as it helps with better absorption of the calcium. Also eat foods rich in calcium such as milk, spinach and almonds BUT remember to watch eating almonds if nuts are a problem for you. Lemongrass Lemongrass has been found, through research in Japan, to help ease some of the inflammation and irritation associated with Crohn's disease. It is also easy to add to your diet as it is very recipe friendly as a lot of Asian dishes, mainly Thai food, use lemongrass in their ingredient lists. You can also get this in pill form. Turmeric Turmeric is believed to be anti-inflammatory and has been used to treat inflammation for a long time. It can be added to stews and curries, but because of the implications of eating spicy food, it is better to consume it in capsule form. Curcumin is the clinical name of turmeric. Green Tea Green tea has many healing properties. It is believed to reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. Some studies have even shown that green tea can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. So make sure you boil up a cup of green tea and enjoy it hot or turn it into a refreshing iced tea by adding mint. At My Crohn's Doctor we are passionate about great health and wellness. As a result we only recommend the BEST products that will help you achieve your health and wellness goals. CLICK on the Image to find out more about these amazing products.  If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Or you can purchase my new Ebook - Cracking the Crohn's Code - The Ultimate Guide to Remission from Chronic IBD. It is available HERE Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael  My Crohn's Doctor www.mycrohnsdoctor.com  LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
Fermented foods seem to be all the rage lately, but these foods have been a staple in many diets for centuries. The health and type of bacteria present in the gut is the basis for good gut function and health, particularly a healthy immune system. The average person has between two and four kilograms of bacteria in their large intestine and these bacteria have very important tasks. Good digestion and gut health are founding principles of good health, and fermented foods can go a long way to help improve the ratio of beneficial gut bacteria. So if you have Crohn's (and we do) this is just another tool that you can add to your TOOL KIT.  Image Courtesy of Science DirectHere are some of our favorite fermented foods that are easy to incorporate into your meals each day: Sauerkraut Sauerkraut is lacto-fermented vegetables, traditionally cabbage, meaning that it is fermented using primarily the lactobacillus strains of bacteria. Bacteria eat up the sugars in the vegetables and leave behind lactic acid which is what preserves the vegetables. The benefit of this process is that the lactobacillus bacteria are also left behind, helpful bacteria for the human gut. The fermentation process also makes the vegetables easier to digest and preserves the nutrients and enzymes present in the vegetables. Sauerkraut can be added to salads at lunch, eaten along side dinner, eaten with eggs at breakfast or on its own as a snack. There are many different types of sauerkraut on the market, ones made from cabbage, beetroot, cauliflower, and carrots. Or you can make your own!  Kim Chi Kim Chi is a Korean version of sauerkraut, it is made with cabbage, bok choy, radishes, chili and ginger. Many people enjoy Kim Chi in veggie broths, with stir-fries or as an accompaniment to fried rice.  Kombucha Kombucha is fermented tea. It is made using black and green tea with sugar and a starter culture. It is fermented for 10-14 days over which time the bacteria in the culture eat (use up) the sugar leaving behind a subtly sweet and sour fizzy drink. Kombucha is an easy way to add a dose of good bacteria to your diet. The Dr Libby Team likes to have a few bottles stored in the office fridge for the late afternoon, and some of us choose to start our day with a glass of kombucha, too. If buying kombucha look out for brands that are made using natural ingredients (no preservatives), and brands that don’t add sugar post fermentation. You want the sugars to be used up during the fermentation process. Some yummy options are kombucha with ginger or turmeric added to it.  Miso Miso has a wonderfully savoury flavour and can be used in broths, soups, or in dressings. It is produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and fungus. Miso supports the good bacteria present in the gut and is a source of B vitamins and several antioxidants, both of which are needed for great energy and to reduce inflammation in the body. Be sure not to heat the miso too much as it kills off some of the helpful bacteria. Stir it into warm liquids to keep the beneficial bugs alive. When purchasing miso paste look for a non-pasteurised version to be sure you are getting the benefits of the bacteria.  TIP: Look for organic fermented foods so that artificial substances don’t potentially interfere with the production and quality of the beneficial bacteria in the foods. If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael  My Crohn's Doctor www.mycrohnsdoctor.com  LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
No matter who you are or what your current health status may be, you cannot go wrong when it comes to introducing smoothies or juices into your life. By drinking these potent beverages, you're literally changing your cells. You're providing your body with vital nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants in an easy-to-digest form. Everything about you will improve, including your sleep, your happiness, and the quality of your skin. These are all things we want to improve. I like to drink a juice in the morning of Carrot, Celery and Beetroot with a touch of Ginger and I have done for years BUT I am also partial to a Smoothie Bowl. (I know you've seen some of the pics I've shared) So which will you try first? Here are 9 Recipes to get you started! SMOOTHIES 1. Blueberry Smoothie This is not only great for your health, but it's loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals, and flavonoids, which are vital for cellular health and disease prevention. · Big handful frozen or fresh organic wild blueberries · 1 Banana · 1 Tbsp extra-virgin coconut oil · 1 Tbsp hemp seeds · 1 Tbsp chia seeds · Pinch of cinnamon · 1 cup hemp milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut water as your base 2. Kidney Nourishing Smoothie Cucumbers hydrate your body, and they're also fabulous for flushing out toxicity in your kidneys. · 1⁄2 large cucumber, peeled and sliced · 1 cup fresh/frozen blueberries · 8 oz coconut water or unsweetened hemp/rice/almond milk · 1-2 Tbsp ground flax or chia seeds · Tbs raw organic honey or stevia to taste (optional) · Ice (optional) 3. Cranberry Lymph Flush Smoothie Cranberry concentrate is a wonderful way to keep your bladder free of unwanted bacteria naturally. Bonus: cranberries are a great source of vitamin C. · 1 cup of mixed berries · 1⁄4 cup unsweetened Cranberry juice concentrate · 1⁄4 avocado · 1 cup coconut water or coconut milk/hemp/almond/rice milk · 1 Tbsp ground flax or chia seeds · 1 teaspoon ginger · Ice (optional) 4. Blackberry-Cinnamon Smoothie Blackberries a fabulous source of Vitamin K, which is essential for absorbing calcium and bone growth. (And it tastes so good! PLUS great for us as well) · 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries · 1 cup coconut water or unsweetened almond/coconut/hemp/rice milk · 1 Tbsp ground flax or chia seeds · 1⁄8 tsp cinnamon · 1 handful of spinach · Splash of vanilla extract · Tbsp raw, organic honey or stevia to taste (optional) JUICES 1. The Green Monster Drinking this green juice will alkalize your body and leave you feeling fabulous. Even better, it contains parsley, which is loaded with Vitamin C and iron, which can be difficult for many vegan or vegetarians to get enough iron. (You must drink this one!) · 1 and 1⁄2 cups coconut water · 1 handful kale · 1 handful spinach · 5 stalks celery · 1 apple, cored and chopped · Juice from 1 lemon · 1⁄2 bunch parsley Note: add the coconut water at the end to your juice. 2. Delicious Detox This is a great drink for juicing newbies because the carrots add enough sweetness to make you feel like you're not even drinking a green juice. · 3 carrots · 3 stalks celery · 1 cucumber · 1⁄2 bunch kale · 1⁄2 bunch parsley · 1⁄2 bunch cilantro · 1 lemon squeezed 3. Cleanse Your Blood Juice Beets are known to cleanse the blood and colon. By doing so, you're supporting and strengthening your liver and gallbladder. · 1 medium beet · 1 large apple · 3 radishes · 1 cup fresh kale leaves 4. Simple + Sweet Green Flush This is great for anyone with digestive issues, because the apple aids in digestion and improves bowel function. It's a fun and easy treat for juicers at all levels. (Another must for us!) · 1 green apple · 1 pear · 1⁄2 inch fresh ginger · 1 lemon, peeled · 1 cup kale or spinach 5. Carrot + Apple Looking to reduce water retention? This one's for you, as carrots help to eliminate excess water from the body! This is perfect for anyone who is feeling bloated and wants to flush! · 2 green apples · 10 carrots · 1⁄2 inch ginger REMEMBER that you will need to adapt THESE RECIPES to suit your dietary PREFERENCES and also which foods you can TOLERATE. If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael   LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
These 7 Steps will help ease your crohn's symptoms.If you are looking to make a difference to your health follow these 7 Simple Steps.  1. Don’t smoke. If you have Crohn’s Disease and you smoke you have more flare-ups and emergency surgeries — and smokers are more likely to be diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in the first place. One more reason why if you smoke you should STOP now. 2. Only drink in moderation. Alcohol can irritate the lining of your intestinal tract and exacerbate your Crohn’s symptoms. It also may interfere with medications if you are taking any. Even if you find that you can tolerate alcohol, it’s important to limit how much you drink. I say try and not drink at all. I know this may not always be possible but set it as your goal. 3. Get regular exercise. Both aerobic activity and resistance training can benefit in helping you if you have Crohn’s Disease. If you don't believe me then read my blog post on Exercise. Exercise not only helps your digestive tract to work more efficiently, but it also can be a stress-reliever due to the release of endorphins, or feel-good hormones, that come with getting your blood pumping. Weight-bearing exercise also can help prevent osteoporosis (bone loss), a common complication of Crohn’s. Choose an exercise you enjoy to stay motivated. If you would like some help to get started with your exercise then join my 30 Day Challenge NOW. Click here to start 30 Day Challenge. 4. Practice relaxation techniques. This might include slow breathing, yoga, tai chi, meditation, or something else that you find relaxing. Do what works for you. It could even just be reading a book in a quiet place, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with friends and family. As you all know i love to get out on my surfboard. Even when I was very unwell and couldn't surf just laying on it made me feel better. 5. Get enough sleep. When you’re tired, you're more likely to feel stressed, which can worsen your Crohn’s symptoms. Find out why HERE. You’ll sleep better at night if you stick to a routine, with a set time for getting up and going to bed on weekdays and weekends. Also be sure to give yourself enough time to wind down before bed so you can focus on sleep and not other distractions. Turn off technology and don't sleep with these devices next to your bed. 6. Seek out support. Find Crohn’s support groups online or groups that meet face-to-face near where you live or work. Having supportive friends and family can help, but they don’t know what it’s like to live with this every day. People who face the same challenges you do can share what works for them in a variety of situations, and this can offer you big emotional benefits. Also make sure you check out my Facebook Page - My Crohns Doctor. 7. Communicate what you feel is appropriate. Are you stressed out from hiding your condition from co-workers or because you don’t know what to tell friends and family? Everyone handles Crohn’s differently, and you should decide for yourself who to tell, how much to tell them, and when. My advice when you do want to share is to keep it simple with something like, “I just want you to know I have a digestive disorder". You may not feel comfortable sharing this but it may help if your boss and co-workers know you have a digestive disorder so they’re not wondering why you’re frequently in the bathroom or may need to take more sick days than others. Or that some days you just don't feel so good. If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. Yours in Health and Wellness Dr Michael  My Crohn's Doctor www.mycrohnsdoctor.com  LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.
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