Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD) are painful, debilitating, embarrassing conditions that affect about 1.6 million Americans.

Unfortunately, the standard treatments for IBD frequently make things even worse!  Medications cause a variety of side effects and surgery can be life-changing, plus the disease can recur after surgery.

But many IBS sufferers have gotten tremendous relief by helping to safely and naturally reduce the inflammation and stress on their intestines!

If you suffer from Crohn’s or colitis, here is what you need to know about the condition and how you can get lasting relief: 

Crohn’s vs. colitis—what’s the difference?

Although people sometimes confuse Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, there are distinct differences between the two.

Ulcerative colitis (UC)

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon (large intestine) and/or rectum.

Typical symptoms are poor digestion, explosive bowel movements (as many as 30 or more a day!) rectal bleeding and pain. 

With UC, you stand about a one in four chance of needing surgery at some point--removal of some your colon. 

But even then you’re not home free because UC can "move down the road" and strike another area of the colon.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's can strike ANY area of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, but it usually affects the lower end of the small intestine (the ileum).

Common Crohn's symptoms include abdominal pain and explosive diarrhea.  You can also develop constipation, fevers lasting 24-48 hours, canker sores, clubbed fingernails and be prone to intestinal blockages.

And since your small intestine is where most nutrient absorption takes place, Crohn’s patients are prone to weight loss, malnutrition and deficiency diseases.

Crohn's burrows deeper into your intestinal wall than UC does, and eventually can cause little "canals" called fistulas to form between your intestine and other organs. 

This creates a path for wastes and toxins to seep out and impair the health of your other organs.

It's somewhat of a mystery

IBD is somewhat of a mystery because there isn't just one clear-cut cause.

First, IBD is considered an autoimmune condition--meaning your immune system sees normal tissue in your intestinal tract as a dangerous invader and launches an inflammatory attack. 

There is also a genetic component.  Studies have shown that a person with a first-degree relative with IBD is up to 10 times more likely to develop the disease.

Medication use is also a factor, especially with antibiotics, birth control pills and NSAIDS.  These medications cause unhealthy changes to your gut microbiome and make you far more susceptible to infection, inflammation and disease.

Food sensitivities and lactose intolerance have also been shown to play a role in the development of IBD.

Many causes but just 2 treatment options?[[end]

Although the underlying causes of IBD are many, the typical remedies are just TWO--drugs (steroids and immunosuppressors) and surgery.

Steroids can help reduce the inflammation, but they also can cause a wide variety of side effects, including bone loss, folic acid deficiency, low cortisol levels and increased risk of lymphoma.

Immunosuppressive drugs may help to "quiet" the overzealous, misguided immune reaction going on, but then you're lacking the protection of your immune system--and are far more susceptible to viruses, infections and disease.

And the health price of surgery?  Well, losing some or all of your intestines and possibly getting a J-pouch or colostomy is traumatic to say the least, plus IBD can recur in another area after surgery!

Natural IBD relief

Even though Crohn’s and colitis sufferers can feel hopeless at times, one thing that is for certain is that there are very effective strategies for counteracting it that can leave you feeling a WHOLE lot better!

Here are 3 safe, easy and effective strategies that can help bring lasting relief to IBD sufferers:

1- Encourage sound digestion

Encouraging sound digestion and nutrient absorption is essential for IBD sufferers.

And a great way to help is to eat nutrient-packed meals that your body can more efficiently break down!

When digestion can be accomplished more easily, your wastes can move through the intestines smoothly like they should--with less chance of constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas or irritation.

And eating for better digestion is what you will learn to do in the Great Taste No Pain digestive health system (or for gluten-sensitive people, Great Taste No Gluten).

In both the Great Taste No Pain and Great Taste No Gluten systems, I show you step by step how to structure delicious, nutritious meals to encourage easier digestion, help nourish your body, help minimize irritation and increase your chances of feeling great after eating.

And the dishes in the recipe sections of both plans are the best!  You’ll be shocked at how delicious eating for better health can be. 

2- Strengthen your gut wall

For people with IBD, it's vital to have a strong gut wall and help keep harmful bacteria in check.

Step 1 is having a nutritious, fiber-rich diet (including lots of fresh vegetables) to nourish and encourage a healthy gut microbiome. 

However, experts also recommend supplementing with probiotic strains from both the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species. 

And Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula perfectly fits the bill.

Super Shield contains potent, well-studied strains of both Lactobacillus (which reside in the small intestine) and Bifidobacteria (that live in the large intestine), so your entire intestinal tract is covered!

In addition, the amino acid glutamine has also been shown to help enhance gut wall strength. Glutamine is found in foods such as beans, red meat, nuts and fish. 

3- Keep inflammation low

Keeping inflammation low in the intestines is crucial for IBD sufferers.

And a great way to help tame inflammation in any area of the body is to engage the power of Nature’s anti-inflammatory—Omega-3 essential fatty acids!

For a top-quality pharmaceutical-grade Omega-3 fish oil supplement, VitalMega-3 is your ticket.

VitalMega-3 is a potent, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil formula that delivers 1,200 mg inflammation-taming Omega-3 fats, including the superstars EPA and DHA, in every daily 2-capsule serving.

Not only can these precious Omega-3 EFAs help ease intestinal inflammation, but also help curb other aches and pains as well, and even help lower blood pressure and cholesterol!

If you’ve got IBD, put the power of safe, natural measures to work for you and see the tremendous difference it can make in how you feel!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia