My Crohnstipated Life

My Lazy Life....

2012-01-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday to you all! I'm just getting packed up for yet another weekend at the beach, Huntington Beach that is. Business may bring me there more often and I can't say that the drive will bother me. Seeing that beach and all that goes on there soothes my nerves and I forget all about the long and boring drive.

So, today, with not much to really report, I thought I would share with you a few photos of my family.

Here is John, my husband. He's a national level bodybuilder and chemist. He's created my entire line as well as the Extreme Labs line.

This is Bella, our lil baby girl. She is a Morkie and such a sweet dog. If you have young children she would make the perfect pet. She loves to play all day long!

Bella and her oldest brother, Bearzy Benjamin. For some reason he really doesn't care for her and growles at her all day long. But when another dogie comes along, he's the first one to protect her. It's cute!

Our wedding pic~

Flexie the beautiful Husky. Such a wonderful dog.

Baby Atlas, this dog has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen!

And, last but not least, this is our Max. Another wonderful Siberian Husky! He loves to search the Internet. The love that makes the house!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Life Without Baby

2011-10-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

No, I didn't forget to have children. My decision to have children was made long ago- somewhere around 10. I always knew I'd be the girl with the 10 kids, 5 dogs, 2 horses and a few rabbits. Well- many moons later, I've got the dogs, the horses and had the rabbits but never any children. Why? I'm really not sure, wasn't for a lack of trying!

I wasn't diagnosed with Crohn's until 2007, so I can't use Crohn's Disease as an excuse or cause for uncertainty. Recently, part of me thinks it's God's divine intervention that has kept me from having children, but then again I see so many women who have Crohn's Disease having children, so I'm not sure why I was ruled out.

"Sniff, poor me-right?"

No, not really. That is a pretty lame excuse right? Truth is in my younger years I'd been scared to death to have children in a way. I wanted them, absolutely, but the thought of what is associated with giving birth just didn't turn me on. How would I give up my freedom, my young spirit, my goals, college and secret desires? It wasn't until recently that I had a chat with a few of my girlfriends. We had come to the conclusion that our youth obsessed society kept me afraid, feeling backed into a corner, afraid to go outside the box, afraid to do anything, really.

It's such a blessing when the light goes on. I thought to myself that I could never have a child after 40, but I can see now that's very possible. I feel so much more capable of having and caring for children. I think as we get older, the daring and carefree side of us starts to rear its head when we hit 40, and its all blue skies from there. My friends are all diving out of air planes, hand gliding, starting new careers, going back to school and still having babies-yes, still having babies. So, maybe there is still time for me, still a plan.

I think the new thought pattern for me is part letting go along with a new desire to be spontaneous and new creative passions that I'm not willing to pass up. How many times have you really wanted to do something but felt you needed to be responsible? Well girls, it all changes and thank goodness because life is way to short to be worrying about the small stuff, and its all SMALL stuff.

I finally watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts, and felt & feel the same way her character did. Now is the time to take chances, be adventurous, be daring and reinvent my life into the one I have always wanted. So, for now, I'm OK with Life Without Baby, I know it won't be forever. And at this moment, I've discovered that there are many blessings of a child free life.

Coping With Crohn's Disease: Are You Prepared?

2011-10-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the bowel causing inflammation, pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms, affects hundreds of thousands of people in North America alone. Whether you are newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or have been living with it for years, finding new information, support, and a sense of community is always important. With no known cure and varying approaches to treatment, gathering and sharing knowledge is an excellent way to help yourself and others deal with this disease. Below, you will find articles, support groups, education, foundations and associations, information on diet, clinical trials, and blogs from other people living with a diagnosis of Crohn’s.

The Basics
Learn the basics from descriptions of Crohn’s to symptoms to medical treatment options with these resources.

Mayo Clinic Crohn’s disease. Learn the basics about Crohn’s as well as symptoms, treatment options, and alternative therapies.
MedicineNet.com Crohn’s Disease. Another good resource for learning the basics, this site also offers professional advice on specific medications and surgery.
Crohn’s Disease. From the National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse, get information on Crohn’s as well as links to clinical trials and additional resources.
Crohn’s Online. Supported by Abbott Laboratories, this site offers information on Crohn’s and a decidedly medically-based approach to treatment.
Crohn’s disease – Everybody. This health site from New Zealand offers a good overview on what Crohn’s disease is all about.

Associations and Foundations
These associations and foundations from around the world all offer help, information, and medical advice for those living with Crohn’s. No matter where you live, you can share information and find support.

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Not only can you get news and information about Crohn’s here, you can also find clinical trials, physicians, and more.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada. Select the French or English version of this website to get information, become a volunteer, or find events in your area.
American Gastroenterological Association. Get information on the treatment of Crohn’s with articles, podcasts, videos, and more.
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.. This national network serves to unite support groups for patients and caregivers of those dealing with "bowel and urinary diversions."
Australian Crohn’s & Colitis Association. Find information about research, clinical trials, get newsletters, and more at this resource.
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia. Read about Crohn’s, get support, and learn about current research with this Australian organization.
European Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations. Get information about research studies, find youth groups, and connect face-to-face at this European connection.
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. This non-profit organization works for education and research in the field of gastrointestinal disorders.
International Ostomy Association. Committed to improving quality of life for ostomates, this foundation offers forums, resources, and more.
National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. This organization in the UK works to provide support and education for those dealing with IBD.

Resource Centers
Offering everything from articles and newsletters to forums and message boards to book reviews and news stories, these sites serve as resource centers to provide plenty of information and support.

Living with Crohn’s Disease. Find out about Crohn’s, pediatric Crohn’s, subscribe to the newsletter, and learn about the latest research here.
Crohn’s Disease Resource Center. From HealingWell.com, this site offers articles, books, forums, and news stories about Crohn’s.
Crohn’s Disease Treatment, Symptoms & Information. This site provides information about Crohn’s, treatment options, forums to connect with others, a newsletter, and much more.
ButYouDon’tLookSick.com. Anyone suffering from chronic illness, pain, or invisible disabilities can benefit from the articles, book and product reviews, and message board at this site.
Shaz’s Ostomy Pages. Learn about the various forms of ostomies, read other people’s stories, and connect with other "ostomates" at this site.
Crohn’s/Colitis Home Page. Having been around for 13 years, this site aims to be a "one-stop" site for information and support.
Crohn’s Disease Info Center. Find information on Crohn’s as well as information on a current clinical trial that includes research, trial information, a physician information kit, and more. You can also join on the message board, get newsletters, and find links to other resources.
David’s Crohn’s & Colitis Webpage. check out all the useful information available here, then participate in message boards and support groups, or just check out the "Best and Worst times to have to go" section.
Teens With Crohn’s Disease Website. Teens can read about the experience of other teens living with Crohn’s, participate in message boards and chat rooms, get recipes, and more.
Annee’s Crohn’s Disease Page. Annee shares her experience of living with Crohn’s and also offers tons of information and opportunities for support here.

100 Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About the Human Brain

2011-10-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ran accross this post today and thought it might be interesting. Borrowed from the "Nursing Assistant."

The human brain has amazed and baffled people throughout the ages. Some scientists and doctors have devoted their entire lives to learning how the brain works. It is no wonder that people enjoy learning facts about this incredible organ in the human body. Below, you will find 100 facts about the brain including how it works, how it develops, what it controls, how it affects sleep, dreams, and memory, and more, which may be helpful. When you finish reading about these fun facts, take this short brainpower quiz and see how much you learned about the human brain.

Physical Attributes
These facts will teach you interesting bits of information about the physical make-up of the human brain.

Weight. The weight of the human brain is about 3 lbs.
Cerebrum. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and makes up 85% of the brain’s weight.
Skin. Your skin weighs twice as much as your brain.
Gray matter. The brain’s gray matter is made up of neurons, which gather and transmit signals.
White matter. The white matter is made up of dendrites and axons, which create the network by which neurons send their signals.
Gray and white. Your brain is 60% white matter and 40% gray matter.
Water. The brain is made up of about 75% water.
Neurons. Your brain consists of about 100 billion neurons.
Synapses. There are anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 synapses for each neuron.
No pain. There are no pain receptors in the brain, so the brain can feel no pain.
Largest brain. While an elephant’s brain is physically larger than a human brain, the human brain is 2% of total body weight (compared to 0.15% of an elephant’s brain), meaning humans have the largest brain to body size.
Blood vessels. There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain.
Fat. The human brain is the fattest organ in the body and may consists of at least 60% fat.

The Developing Brain
Starting from within the womb, fetal brain development begins the amazing journey that leads to a well-developed brain at birth that continues to grow for 18 more years.

Neurons. Neurons develop at the rate of 250,000 neurons per minute during early pregnancy.
Size at birth. At birth, your brain was almost the same size as an adult brain and contained most of the brain cells for your whole life.
Newborn’s growth. A newborn baby’s brain grows about three times its size in the first year.
Stopped growing. Your brain stopped growing at age 18.
Cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex grows thicker as you learn to use it.
Stimulation. A stimulating environment for a child can make the difference between a 25% greater ability to learn or 25% less in an environment with little stimulation.
New neurons. Humans continue to make new neurons throughout life in response to mental activity.
Read aloud. Reading aloud and talking often to a young child promotes brain development.
Emotions. The capacity for such emotions as joy, happiness, fear, and shyness are already developed at birth. The specific type of nurturing a child receives shapes how these emotions are developed.
First sense. The first sense to develop while in utero is the sense of touch. The lips and cheeks can experience touch at about 8 weeks and the rest of the body around 12 weeks.
Bilingual brains. Children who learn two languages before the age of five alters the brain structure and adults have a much denser gray matter.
Child abuse and the brain. Studies have shown that child abuse can inhibit development of the brain and can permanently affect brain development.

Brain Function
From the invisible workings of the brain to more visible responses such as yawns or intelligence, find out how the brain functions with these facts.

Oxygen. Your brain uses 20% of the total oxygen in your body.
Blood. As with oxygen, your brain uses 20% of the blood circulating in your body.
Unconsciousness. If your brain loses blood for 8 to 10 seconds, you will lose consciousness.
Speed. Information can be processed as slowly as 0.5 meters/sec or as fast as 120 meters/sec (about 268 miles/hr).
Wattage. While awake, your brain generates between 10 and 23 watts of power–or enough energy to power a light bulb.
Yawns. It is thought that a yawn works to send more oxygen to the brain, therefore working to cool it down and wake it up.
Neocortex. The neocortex makes up about 76% of the human brain and is responsible for language and consciousness. The human neocortex is much larger than in animals.
10%. The old adage of humans only using 10% of their brain is not true. Every part of the brain has a known function.
Brain death. The brain can live for 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen, and then it begins to die. No oxygen for 5 to 10 minutes will result in permanent brain damage.
Highest temperature. The next time you get a fever, keep in mind that the highest human body temperature ever recorded was 115.7 degrees–and the man survived.
Stress. Excessive stress has shown to "alter brain cells, brain structure and brain function."
Love hormones and autism. Oxytocin, one of the hormones responsible for triggering feelings of love in the brain, has shown some benefits to helping control repetitive behaviors in those with autism.
Food and intelligence. A study of one million students in New York showed that students who ate lunches that did not include artificial flavors, preservatives, and dyes did 14% better on IQ tests than students who ate lunches with these additives.
Seafood. In the March 2003 edition of Discover magazine, a report describes how people in a 7-year study who ate seafood at least one time every week had a 30% lower occurrence of dementia.

Psychology of the Brain
From tickling to tasting to decision-making, find out how the brain affects what you experience.

Tickles. You can’t tickle yourself because your brain distinguished between unexpected external touch and your own touch.
Imaginary playmates. A study from Australia showed that children with imaginary playmates between the ages of 3 and 9 tended to be first-born children.
Reading faces. Without any words, you may be able to determine if someone is in a good mood, is feeling sad, or is angry just by reading the face. A small area in the brain called the amygdala is responsible for your ability to read someone else’s face for clues to how they are feeling.
Ringing in the ears. For years, medical professionals believed that tinnitus was due to a function within the mechanics of the ear, but newer evidence shows that it is actually a function of the brain.
Pain and gender. Scientists have discovered that men and women’s brains react differently to pain, which explains why they may perceive or discuss pain differently.
Supertasters. There is a class of people known as supertasters who not only have more taste buds on the tongue, but whose brain is more sensitive to the tastes of foods and drinks. In fact, they can detect some flavors that others cannot.
Cold. Some people are much more sensitive to cold and actually feel pain associated with cold. Research as shown that the reason is due to certain channels that send cold information to the brain.
Decision-making. Women tend to take longer to make a decision, but are more likely to stick with the decision, compared to men, who are more likely to change their mind after making a decision.
Exercise. Some studies indicate that while some people are naturally more active, others are naturally more inactive, which may explain why getting out and exercising is more difficult for some.
Boredom. Boredom is brought on by a lack of change of stimulation, is largely a function of perception, and is connected to the innate curiosity found in humans.
Physical illness. The connection between body and mind is a strong one. One estimate is that between 50-70% of visits to the doctor for physical ailments are attributed to psychological factors.
Sadness and shopping. Researchers have discovered that those experiencing the blues are more willing to spend more money in an attempt to alleviate their sadness.

Memory
Learn how scent, jet lag, and estrogen affect memory, plus plenty of other information, with these facts.

Jet lag. Frequent jet lag can impair your memory, probably due to the stress hormones released.
New connections. Every time you recall a memory or have a new thought, you are creating a new connection in your brain.
Create associations. Memory is formed by associations, so if you want help remembering things, create associations for yourself.
Scent and memory. Memories triggered by scent have a stronger emotional connection, therefore appear more intense than other memory triggers.
Anomia. Anomia is the technical word for tip-of-the-tongue syndrome when you can almost remember a word, but it just won’t quite come to you.
Sleep. While you sleep at night may be the best time for your brain to consolidate all your memories from the day.
No sleep. It goes to follow…lack of sleep may actuallyhurt your ability to create new memories.
World Champion. A world champion memorizer, Ben Pridmore memorized 96 historical events in 5 minutes and memorized a single, shuffled deck of cards in 26.28 seconds.
Estrogen and memory. Estrogen (found in both men and women) has been shown to promote better memory functions.
Insulin. Insulin works to regulate blood-sugar in the body, but recently, scientists have discovered that its presence in the brain also helps promote memory.

Dreams and Sleep
The amazing world of dreams and what happens during sleep is a mystery rooted in the brain. Learn interesting facts about dreams and sleep in this list.

Everyone dreams. Just because you don’t remember your dreams doesn’t mean you don’t dream. Everyone dreams!
Nightly average. Most people dream about 1-2 hours a night and have an average of 4-7 dreams each night.
Brain waves. Studies show that brain waves are more active while dreaming than when you are awake.
Lost dreams. Five minutes after a dream, half of the dream is forgotten. Ten minutes after a dream, over 90% is forgotten. Write down your dreams immediately if you want to remember them.
Blind people dream. Dreams are more than just visual images, and blind people do dream. Whether or not they dream in pictures depends on if they were born blind or lost their vision later.
Color or B&W. Some people (about 12%) dream only in black and white while others dream in color.
Virtually paralyzed. While you sleep, your body produces a hormone that may prevent you from acting out your dreams, leaving you virtually paralyzed.
Snoring. If you are snoring, you are not dreaming.
During a dream. If you are awakened during a dream, you are much more likely to remember the dream than if you slept until a full night’s sleep.
Symbolism. As those who invest in dream dictionaries can attest, dreams almost never represent what they actually are. The unconscious mind strives to make connections with concepts you will understand, so dreams are largely symbolic representations.
Adenosine. Caffeine works to block naturally occurring adenosine in the body, creating alertness. Scientists have recently discovered this connection and learned that doing the opposite–boosting adenosine–can actually help promote more natural sleep patterns and help eliminate insomnia.
Dream showings. Japanese researchers have successfully developed a technology that can put thoughts on a screen and may soon be able to screen people’s dreams.

Fun and Interesting Facts
From juggling to a Brain Bank to cannibalism, read about these fun and interesting brain facts.

Airplanes and headaches. A study showed a correlation between flying and headaches and states that around 6% of people who fly get headaches brought on by the flight itself.
Juggling. Juggling has shown to change the brain in as little as seven days. The study indicates that learning new things helps the brain to change very quickly.
Disney and sleep. A study published in the journal Sleep Medicine describes how Disney creators used real sleep disorders in many of their animated pets.
Blinking. Each time we blink, our brain kicks in and keeps things illuminated so the whole world doesn’t go dark each time we blink (about 20,000 times a day).
Laughing. Laughing at a joke is no simple task as it requires activity in five different areas of the brain.
Yawns are contagious. Ever notice that you yawned after someone around you did? Scientists believe this may be a response to an ancient social behavior for communication that humans still have.
Brain Bank. Harvard maintains a Brain Bank where over 7,000 human brains are store for research purposes.
Outer space. The lack of gravity in outer space affects the brain in several ways. Scientists are studying how and why, but you may want to hold off on your next trip to the moon.
Music. Music lessons have shown to considerably boost brain organization and ability in both children and adults.
Thoughts. The average number of thoughts that humans are believed to experience each day is 70,000.
Ambidexterity. Those who are left-handed or ambidextrous have a corpus collosum (the part of the brain that bridges the two halves) that is about 11% larger than those who are right-handed.
Stressful job. According to a study by Bristol-Myers Squibb, accountants have the highest incidence of on-the-job headaches, followed by librarians, then bus and truck drivers.
Aristotle. Aristotle mistakenly thought that the functions of the brain actually took place in the heart.
Cannibalism. Some research shows that humans carry genes that help protect the brain from prion diseases, or diseases contracted through eating human flesh, leading medical experts to believe that ancient humans may have eaten other humans.
Shakespeare. The word "brain" appears 66 times in the plays of William Shakespeare.

Famous Brains
People have always been fascinated with the brains of famous people. Find out what experts know about these famous brains.

Albert Einstein. Einstein’s brain was similar in size to other humans except in the region that is responsible for math and spatial perception. In that region, his brain was 35% wider than average.
London taxi drivers. Famous for knowing all the London streets by heart, these drivers have a larger than normal hippocampus, especially the drivers who have been on the job longest. The study suggests that as people memorize more and more information, this part of their brain continues to grow.
VI Lenin. After his death, Lenin’s brain was studied and found to have an abnormally large and numerous neurons in a particular region that may explain his "strikingly acute and penetrating mental processes" for which he was famous.
Oldest brain. A brain thought to be 2000 years old was unearthed just recently at the University of York in northern England.
Babe Ruth. The Babe was tested by two Columbia psychology students and was determined to be working at 90% efficiency compared to the 60% efficiency measured for most people.
Daniel Tammet. Daniel Tammet is an autistic savant who, since the age of three when he suffered an epileptic seizure, has been able to perform astounding mathematical computations, knows seven languages, and is developing a language of his own.
Keith Jarrett. This jazz musician was discovered at age 3 to have perfect pitch, which scientists can pinpoint in the right frontal lobe.

Moments in History
The study of the brain has an interesting history. Check out this abbreviated time line to learn interesting facts about the history of brain research and development.

2000 B.C.. Archeologists found evidence that primitive brain surgery was performed by drilling a hole in the skull.
1811. Scottish surgeon Charles Bell described how each of the senses had a corresponding spot in the brain.
1899. Aspirin was marketed as a pain reliever, but was not available without a prescription until 1915.
1921. Hermann Rorschach invented the now-famous ink blot test for use with his patients.
1959. The first rhesus monkey was sent into space to study human behavior.

Today, I will let go of my fear...

2011-10-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

Some people believe that each of our days were planned, Divinely Ordered, before we were born. God knew, they say, and planned exactly what was to transpire.

Other suggest we chose, we participated in planning our life-the events, the people, the circumstances that were to take place, in order to work through our issues and learn the lessons we needed to master.

Whatever our philosophy, our interpretation can be similar: Our past is neither an accident or a mistake. we have been where we needed to be, with the necessary people. We can embrace our history, with its pain, its imperfections, its mistakes, even its tragedies. It is uniquely ours; it was intended just for us.

Today, we are right where we need to be. Our present circumstances are exactly as they need to be-for now.

Today, I will let go of my guilt and fear about my past and present circumstances. I will trust that where I have been and where I am now are right for me.

Taking the "HIGH ROAD"

2011-09-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine was talking about taking the high road when it came to certain matters of the heart. Until today I always thought when someone used that phrase it just meant to ignore it but to those who have love and peace in their hearts it means something else. She began to talk about taking the high road and doing whatever it took to restore the peace and the love in the relationship whether it was personal or business. She then gave me the book by Ilanla Vanzant and I'm absolutely in love with her writing! So, I thought I would share this with you today.

There is a better way! When your back is against the wall, do not be tempted to take the easy way out. Avoid taking the short cut. Never allow the pressure of the moment to force you into something that is dishonest or dishonorable. Before you strike out in terror or anger, call for the strength, energy and presence of mind to do what is best for everyone involved. No matter what happens to you, you will be better off if you look for a better way of doing things. Trust that no matter what stand before you, you can handle it by taking the high road.

The high road is any action taken or any word spoken with the intention of restoring peach, invoking healing or advancing love. It can be difficult to keep your eye on the road when you feel you are being dishonored or harmed in any way. Fear can also make you lose sight of the road-the fear of being abandoned, rejected or discovered. How you respond when you are faced with one of these fears is understandable. Unfortunately, in the universe, it may not be excusable.

When you are stressed, pressured or simply afraid, it is easy to be lured into being dishonest. If you are angry, it is understandable that you would want to strike out. Let's face it, in those situations when it seems that telling a lie will save you, chances are you will consider telling the lie. Don't do it! There is always a better way. When you deliberately trespass the boundaries of what it s good, honest, loving and harmonious, there will be hell to pay. Don’t be the one who has to pay it.

Until today, you may have allowed pressures and stress of your life to make you sink down or act low down. Just for today, look for the high road. Refuse to say anything or do anything that will not create or support peace, healing or love.

10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Training Sessions

2011-08-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

If you’re spending valuable time and money on personal training, you deserve to get great results. And a lot of that depends on you. We asked some top-shelf PTs what they wish more of their clients would do in the name of great fitness outcomes, and here’s what they said:
1. Ditch the chitchat. Although a little back and forth builds rapport and keeps things lively, a constant stream of small talk can be detrimental — particularly when you’re both distracted from your efforts, timing and form.

2. Show up on time. Every minute you’re late chips away at the time you scheduled for fitness and can totally throw off your trainer’s workout plan. Many trainers like clients to arrive early for a proper warm-up before their session starts.

3. Respect the stopwatch. There’s a reason your trainer is specifying 30- or 60-second breaks between sets and asking you to hold the intensity of cardio intervals for specific durations. Adhere to that timing, and you’ll see far better results.

4. Clean up your eating. No amount of working out can hide the evidence of a lackluster diet. Follow your trainer’s nutritional advice, make the switch to more whole, natural foods, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

5. Don’t fib. Your trainer will have a hard time managing your program and results if you claim to be exercising more or eating better than you really are. Be candid about what you’re willing to do — then let your trainer be frank about the results you can expect.

6. Be a “yes” person. Many trainers have an aversion to the phrase “I can’t do that.” Have an injury? Say “I have an injury” — and let your trainer adjust accordingly. But be open to trying new things, even if they don’t come easily at first.

7. Trust your trainer. It’s OK to ask questions about why you’re doing certain exercises, but in the end, you either trust your trainer’s expertise or you don’t. Interrupting and arguing can waste time and undermine the dynamic of your relationship, causing frustration for you both.

8. Get good Z’s. Your fitness recovery and progress hinge on adequate sleep. And so does your available energy for workouts. Showing up exhausted drastically limits the potential of your sessions.

9. Speak your truth. Personal trainers can be intuitive, but they’re not mind readers. Tell them how your body feels, and how your motivation is faring, so they can tweak your regimen based on your feedback.

10. Put your heart into it. If you really want to get healthier and more fit, bring that attitude to your training sessions — and to your willingness to change your life. Enthusiasm breeds success.

How to Get the Most From Your Personal Trainer

2011-08-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Finding the right PT can transform your health and fitness efforts. But the real magic happens when you learn how to work as a team. By Eric Butterman / September 2011

The decision to hire a personal trainer is an empowering one. Putting a dedicated fitness expert in your corner can net you invaluable expertise and support for devising a smart workout strategy, overcoming emotional and physical roadblocks, and getting the real results you’re after.

According to an American College of Sports Medicine survey, personal training is a top trend for 2011, ranking above core training classes and boot camps in popularity. So, clearly, a lot of people are figuring out that it’s well worth the investment. Establishing an optimal training relationship, though, isn’t as simple as strolling into your health club and booking a session with the first PT who has an open spot in his or her schedule.

First, the two of you are going to be spending a lot of time together, so it’s worth putting in some legwork upfront to make sure you find someone with the right skills and chemistry. Second, you need to make sure you’re ready to do your share of the work required to get what you want out of the bargain.

“Whether you’re new to exercise or you’ve been working out on your own for a long time, using a personal trainer can give you that extra nudge,” says Tom Manella, senior director of personal training at Life Time Fitness in Chanhassen, Minn. “But you’ve got to show up for the experience, body and soul, and be really clear about creating a two-way exchange that works for you.”

Making It Work

After two years of regularly going to a health club, Michelle Nielsen, 36, of Phoenix, wasn’t seeing the results she had hoped for. She admits she felt overwhelmed by all the choices. “I would walk in and see a hundred machines and have no idea where to start. I’d flounder and wander, and eventually I got really frustrated and stopped going,” she says.

Nielsen realized that what she needed was direction and affirmation. “I wanted someone more knowledgeable than me to tell me what I should be doing, and that I was doing a good job,” she says.

Because Nielsen’s husband had been successful working with a personal trainer, she decided to sign up for training sessions, too. Having never invested that much time or money in herself, Nielsen didn’t know what to expect — from her trainer, or from the whole experience.

“Before the introductory session, I was really nervous. I sat in my car for a really long time before going inside,” she says. But once she met with the trainer, discussed her history and her goals with him, and began her plan, her anxiety evaporated.

“My trainer, Ryan Clark, was a great match for me,” she says. Nielsen was delighted to find that Clark was down to earth and respectful of her need for an unintimidating environment. He helped her outline specific goals and guided her toward them without pushing too hard. “It was a very personal journey for me from the get-go, and Ryan recognized that,” she says. “He was proud of me for being there. He knew that for me, showing up was a battle in and of itself.”

Over the course of two months of training with Clark three times a week, Nielsen experienced dramatic results. “My fitness improved leaps and bounds, and my body shape changed — but more importantly, I noticed a huge change in how I feel about myself.”

For Nielsen, hiring Clark proved to be time and money well spent — a happy meeting of minds, personalities, priorities and expectations. Looking to create that same sort of synergy with a trainer who’s dedicated to helping you achieve your own goals? Read on to discover four essential keys to success — gathered from experienced trainers and satisfied clients alike.

1. Find the Right Match

“Shopping around and meeting potential trainers is an important first step,” says Manella. Searching online can be overwhelming, so ask your local club for recommendations based on your objectives and fitness experience, talk with friends or family members who have used trainers, and speak with trainers on the gym floor, he suggests.

“Begin by asking about their credentials,” advises Kelli Calabrese, MS, CSCS, master trainer for Adventure Boot Camp in Orange County, Calif. Certifications, she says, are one way to ensure that trainers have the education required to competently design safe and effective exercise programs. So be sure to ask how long they’ve been training and whom they’re certified through. Because there are a number of organizations that certify trainers, focus on someone with national certifications (such as those from the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association, or the American College of Sports Medicine) or a trainer with a degree in exercise science.

And make sure those certifications are current. “An expired certification is not a good sign,” says Manella. Another bad sign: trainers who work in run-down facilities. “Top-line gyms often have the best trainers,” says Philip Goglia, PhD, a Santa Monica–based personal trainer, registered nutritionist and author of Turn Up the Heat: Unlock the Fat-Burning Power of Your Metabolism (Viking Penguin, 2002). If the place gives you the creeps, chances are good that the trainer isn’t a winner either, he says.

Once you meet with the trainer or speak on the phone, you can better gauge his or her experience, the experts say. “You’ll want to know what types of training they specialize in and whether that fits with your situation and goals,” Calabrese says. A trainer with a basic certification will likely not be able to help you train for a figure competition or a triathlon, though. “There are specialty coaches out there who can help you tap into getting an edge on an individual sport,” she adds.

To help determine if a prospective trainer is right for you, Manella suggests asking him or her these questions:

1) What’s your experience working with people like me? (Specify your goals: losing weight, training for an event, coming back after an injury, building strength, etc.)

2) What results have you achieved with your clients? Over what time span?

3) Can I talk with some of your clients? (A good trainer should have no trouble providing references.)

4) How would you describe your style? (Some trainers are gentle and encouraging, while others are more aggressive; some direct, others collaborate.)

5) How much do you charge? (Rates vary a lot based on the trainer and location — anywhere from $30 to $300 per hour — but average from $50 to $100.)

6) Do you offer small-group sessions or other services, such as online training?

If possible, observe the trainer working with another client, suggests Jamie Atlas, founder of Bonza Bodies fitness studio in Denver. “It takes about five minutes of watching to know if the trainer is more into the client or themselves. Habits like chatting too much, being easily distracted and generally having low energy are warning signs of what might be to come,” says Atlas.

Beyond that, personal dynamics are key, says Manella. In other words, it helps if you genuinely like the trainer. “That doesn’t mean you have to be mirror images of each other, but common ground is important,” adds Goglia. “If you have one person who’s cracking sarcastic jokes and someone else who’s very serious, that could be a bad match. You want to be in tune.”

2. Focus on Clear Goals

Prior to your first active training session, discuss your objectives with your trainer so that he or she can come up with an appropriate plan to achieve them.

That process may involve some assessment drills: “You want to have an initial measure of things like posture, balance, flexibility and strength,” Goglia says. “It’s critical to record and retest to understand if you’re getting anywhere.” Depending on the trainer and your goals, you might also measure body-fat percentage, cardio fitness and body weight.

If you’re out of shape or haven’t worked out recently, your trainer may recommend an initial period of training designed to help you build a fitness base and avoid injury. That’s a good thing, because it will make all your subsequent workouts more effective. But right from the beginning, you should see the connection between the plan your trainer has laid out and the goals you want to achieve.

“It’s important to tweak that plan every few weeks as you improve,” says Alwyn Cosgrove, a Newhall, Calif.–based personal trainer and coauthor of The New Rules of Lifting book series (Avery). “But everything you do should be moving you toward your goal — whether that’s improving your cardio output, increasing your strength, losing weight or all of the above.”

If there are days you’re working out alone, you’ll need the trainer to map out the specific exercises you should complete, along with sets and reps. “Your trainer should provide you with routines that have a balance of both upper body and lower body, and also focus on the weaknesses you’re trying to improve,” says Goglia. “But you shouldn’t be doing the same exercises every single session.”

3. Develop a Strong Working Relationship

During the first few sessions, pay attention to how well you and your trainer sync up. Do you understand what she’s telling you to do? How well do you communicate with one another? Is she clued in to your body language to know when you need to be pushed harder and when you’ve had enough? Do you feel motivated or punished by her feedback?

As with any good relationship, you should feel like the trainer brings out the best in you. How he or she goes about reaching that objective may vary. “People have very different learning styles and motivational preferences,” says Manella. “Some clients want to understand the science behind every movement. Others just want someone to demonstrate how it’s done.” Some clients appreciate a little tough love, he notes — the kind you might get from a boot-camp-style trainer. Others want a gentler, more understanding approach.

The important thing, most experts agree, is voicing those preferences to your trainer so that he or she can respond. “Ask yourself, ‘Am I better with this person than I am alone?’” advises Manella.

A good trainer will also be open to answering any questions or concerns you bring to each session. If something isn’t working for you, or you hit a plateau, the trainer should be adaptable and work with you to adjust the routine.

No matter what the trainer’s style, he or she should strive to find ways to make exercise as natural and habitual for you as eating and drinking, says Shannon Wallace Jr., CPT, founder of 368 Athletics in Frederick, Md.

“I tell our trainers their primary job is education,” says Manella. “A good trainer should give you everything you need to know to make fitness a permanent part of your lifestyle.”

Of course, whether or not you comply with that encouragement is up to you. “If you’re only seeing me once a week, then you’ll need to weight train at least twice a week outside of our sessions to see the results you want,” says Eric Wilson, MS, a Seattle-based exercise physiologist and creator of the Comprehensive Lifestyle Plan, a personal-training philosophy that focuses on the whole person. Wilson suggests you duplicate the training experience at home as best you can: Put on music that gets you going, he suggests. Warm up. Give yourself a pep talk. “You need to be able to get in the zone even though it’s just you,” he says.

Happily, the more you get to know your trainer, the more you’ll automatically hear his or her voice directing you through the moves. After a while, you’ll begin to internalize that advice, and it will become second nature.

4. Know When to Move On

Eventually, all training relationships come to an end — ideally, for the happiest of reasons: The client has achieved his or her initial goals, has successfully integrated exercise into his or her lifestyle, and no longer feels the need for a trainer.

Perhaps there’s another chapter in store — refresher sessions, next-phase objectives, sports-specific training — or perhaps not. It’s entirely up to you. Let your budget, priorities and training appetite be your guide.

For Michelle Nielsen, the conclusion of her training sessions felt like a graduation of sorts. “Ryan and I both sensed my confidence and skills had reached a point that I might be able to join his small-group class.” That way, says Nielsen, she still benefited from his direction and expertise, but the classes were more affordable than private sessions.

For some clients, a limited package of training sessions is all they want or can afford at the moment. Other clients are in it for the long haul: “They have the means to pay for a trainer indefinitely, and they like the ongoing accountability and motivation the trainer provides,” says Manella.

As long as the cost-benefit analysis is working in your favor, the decision to keep training is easy. But what do you do when the relationship just isn’t working, or when the investment isn’t paying off the way you’d hoped?

Many clients rightfully walk away when they lose confidence in the trainer’s commitment to their results, says Jamie Atlas. “Clients sense when a trainer has stopped caring and started taking them for granted,” he says.

“If you’re unhappy with your results, or with the experience, you need to sit down and talk to your trainer,” Goglia says. “But, be honest with yourself about whether or not you’re doing the work.” (See the “10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Training Sessions” sidebar.)

Also pay attention to how you feel before, during and after your training sessions. A bit of preworkout apprehension is natural, but if you find yourself dreading each appointment, that could be a red flag. During the workout, you should feel challenged, but not pushed beyond your limits. Afterward, check in with yourself: Are you happy you went? Did you try something new and succeed? Do you feel empowered, or beat up?

An off day here and there is normal, but if you see a pattern of decline or negativity, it could be a clue that you need a change. “If you talk to the trainer and he’s not being responsive or adjusting, it’s time to move on,” Wallace says.

Scott Jackson, CPT, CSCS, founder of Real Life Fitness facility in Nevada City, Calif., recommends an honest approach: “They’re in business, and they need to know how to improve. If the problem was their personality or their commitment, letting them know in a gentle way could help them in the future.” Then, he suggests, find another trainer — “ASAP, while your motivation is still strong.”

Eric Butterman is a fitness writer who has contributed to Glamour and Men’s Journal.

7 Steps to Helping Good Bacteria Feel at Home

2011-08-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

According to Catherine Guthrie, maintaining a healthy gut isn’t as easy as popping a magic pill. “If you’re going to use probiotics, then drink, smoke and eat badly, that’s not going to cut it,” says Georgianna Donadio, PhD. “The entire system must be in sync; the flora is just the tip of the iceberg.” To take a big-picture approach to your gut, consider these steps:

• Eat several small meals during the day instead of pigging out at dinner. “Cramming in all your food at the end of the day stresses the gut by giving it too much food at once,” says Leslie Bonci, a registered dietitian and director of the Sports Nutrition Center at the University of Pittsburgh. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep the
food moving.

• Prioritize whole foods. That means stocking up on vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. If the food on your plate looks like food in the wild (e.g., grapes, not grape roll-ups), you’re off to a good start. “The best way to restore your gut is to stop assaulting it [with processed food] all the time,” says Patricia Raymond, MD.

• Eat probiotic foods. Shoot for at least one daily serving of a food with probiotic or “live” cultures. Try yogurt, kefir (a fermented dairy drink), miso or tempeh. Look for the phrase “contains live cultures” or “active cultures” on the label.

• Bulk up on fiber. The more fiber you have in your diet, the more diversity you’ll have in your ecosystem. Aim for 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day, says Bonci. “Most people are still shy of their
fiber intake.”

• Cut back on sugar. Refined sugars acidify the system and prompt the body to make more bile — and some types of bad bacteria feast on sugar and bile acids. Therefore, too much sugar may tip the bacterial balance toward the dark side. “With all the sugar we throw down these days, it’s no wonder our bacteria colonies are out of whack,” says Bonci.

• Relax. In a 1999 study published in the international journal Gut, people in gastrointestinal clinics cited severe life stress as a precursor to their gastrointestinal problems. Although the connection isn’t clear, scientists do know that stress breeds inflammation and also upsets the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the contractions of the intestine, thereby changing the speed at which food moves through you. Stress affects our biochemistry at many levels.
• Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep not only regulates hormones in the gut that contribute to feelings of hunger and satiety, it also shores up the immune system. When the body is deprived of sleep, even for one night, the immune system suffers, says Bonci.

Like tending a vegetable patch, maintaining a balanced microflora environment requires daily attention. Need more good reasons to give your bacteria the respect they deserve? Consider this: “If a freeze, flood or nuclear explosion destroyed all the humans on Earth, bacteria would survive,” says Gregor Reid, PhD. “They are definitely going to have the last laugh.”

Putting Probiotics On Your Side

2011-08-31T20:55:00.000-07:00

Probiotics aren’t a surefire cure-all for a troubled gut, but they do deliver a whole lot of helpful bacterial right where you need them.

If you’re otherwise healthy, you can focus on just eating more probiotic-laden foods, like a yogurt with live cultures, says Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterologist in Norfolk, Va., and founder of YourHealthChoice.net.

For many, though, a daily, quality probiotic supplement is a good idea — especially to battle chronic gastric complaints, such as diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. It’s also a worthy addition if you’re on an antibiotic or have taken antibiotics in the past. (If you’re still on the drug, consider a yeast-based probiotic, since the antibiotic won’t affect it.)

If you need a probiotic pick-me-up, prepare to stock up. A week or two of probiotics can be a quick fix for an acute problem, like traveler’s diarrhea, but those with a chronic illness may need probiotics for an extended duration. That’s because these bacteria don’t stay inside us for long. “You can’t just take one dose, sit back and say ‘that’s great,’” says Gregor Reid, PhD, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Western Ontario and past president of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. “Health is a continuum, so you have to take probiotics on a regular basis to retain their benefits.”

To boost your flora, take one or two probiotic capsules daily, which amounts to 3 to 5 billion live organisms. Probiotics are living, so they are vulnerable to heat, cold and moisture. Store them in a cool, dry place. (Also take care with probiotics in food. Freezing live-cultured yogurt or boiling miso soup nukes the bugs.) Lastly, Reid recommends buying only products that have been clinically tested. “Too many haven’t,” he says, “and just because the contents of one product sound like those of another doesn’t mean it will work.” ConsumerLab.com, an independent watchdog group, vetted 22 probiotic products and found several that didn’t deliver.

Good Bacteria Welcome

2011-08-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

Find out why some internal bacteria are our friends — and why providing a happy, well-balance home for them is essential to our vitality and well-being. By Catherine Guthrie / September 2011

Ever get the feeling you’re not alone? Maybe it’s because you’re not. Your body is a walking repository for microorganisms, and their cells outnumber yours 10 to 1. Some of us have herds of mites grazing on our eyebrows. Others have fungi meandering between our toes. No one is immune. Everyone’s skin swarms with an invisible smorgasbord of bacteria, and the mouth is a microbial wonderland. But it’s the 500 or so species of bacteria residing in our gastrointestinal (GI) tracts that really make us tick.

Yes, bacteria, such as those from the genera Bifido-bacterium and Lactobacillus, account for a large majority of the 100 trillion creepy crawlies that call your body home, and they flourish in the dark, dank folds of the GI tract. (Random parasites, yeast and fungi make up a much smaller internal population; to find out more about them, read “Little Bugs, Big Trouble”).

Good bacteria spend their days destroying their harmful cousins, picking through undigested leftovers and micromanaging calories. But when stress, medications or a poor diet (among other factors) lay waste to these friendly flora, bad bacteria rush in to fill the void. And when bad bacteria prevail, illness strikes. A short-term imbalance can lead to diarrhea, bloating and gas. Over time, the disparity can contribute to more serious problems, including inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

To balance the scales, many healthcare practitioners are turning to probiotics — infusions of good bacteria from foods like yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh, kombucha and kimchi, as well as from supplements. (See the “Putting Probiotics on Your Side” sidebar.) But just as planting seedlings won’t rejuvenate a deforested landscape overnight, probiotics can’t be relied on as a quick fix for a gut-destroying lifestyle.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your little buggers happy and healthy for the long haul.

Gut Ecology Primer

The relationship between the gut and well-behaved bacteria is mutually beneficial. Because the gut is porous (that’s how it absorbs nutrients from food), it’s also vulnerable to invasion. Over a person’s lifetime, the GI tract handles roughly 60 tons of food. While food brings nourishment, it can also be a Trojan horse for disease. That was the case in Europe last spring, where contaminated vegetable sprouts killed 29 people and made nearly 3,000 extremely ill. And it was the case for a great many tainted hamburgers before that.

Good bacteria act as microscopic bouncers for the bowels, waving in desirable nutrients and slamming the door on dangerous viruses and killer bugs. They do this with some help from the mucosal barrier, which coats every inch of the gut’s 1,000-square-foot surface to form a slippery, protective layer. But even so, it’s a job that requires mind-boggling numbers.

One hundred trillion bacteria cram inside the average Joe. Scoop them up and they would weigh 2 to 3 pounds. Linked end-to-end, they would circle the globe two and a half times. Without them, you couldn’t digest any food. But digestion is only part of what these high achievers accomplish. Thanks to their residence in the intestines, they also help power 60 percent of the body’s immune system.

So when it comes to getting and staying healthy, balancing our intestinal microflora should be a top priority. The good news is, we’ve got a well-established and synergetic partnership going. The oldest microorganisms on Earth, bacteria have carved an elaborate evolutionary niche for themselves inside our bodies. It’s important to remember that we need them every bit as much as they need us.

“The bottom line is that we would be dead without them,” says Gregor Reid, PhD, a professor of microbiology, immunology and surgery at the University of Western Ontario in Canada and past president of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. (Prebiotics are nutrients that help probiotics and other beneficial bacteria to multiply.) “Bacteria are benefiting from the relationship, too,” he notes, “otherwise they wouldn’t have let us get this far.” He explains that several of the bacteria residing in the gut could easily kill us — but then who would feed them?

He’s got a point. Although bacteria inhabit all of the 30-odd feet of your gastrointestinal plumbing, they cluster in the dining hall that is your colon. There, they spend their days awash in waste — the bacterial equivalent of manna from heaven.

A slow-moving meal may linger in the colon for more than two days before being jettisoned. (Poop, by the way, is roughly 60 percent bacteria.) Meanwhile, like happy vultures clambering to a carcass, bacteria see what nutrient castoffs they can claim. They break down otherwise indigestible plant fibers, forage for carbohydrates and salvage calories.

“A healthy body will recycle every single molecule it can from the bowel,” says Georgianna Donadio, PhD, nutritionist and founder of the National Institute of Whole Health, a Wellesley Hills, Mass.–based school that provides continuing education to healthcare providers. “Essentially the gut is a huge metabolic furnace.”

Of course, for that furnace to operate efficiently, all of its parts must be present and in working order. Ideally, they come custom-delivered right when we are — at birth.

Babies descend from the germ-free womb into a virtual bubble bath of bacteria. It starts with the birth canal, where mothers bequeath a starter-kit of good, colonizing bacteria to their newborns. More bacteria make their way into baby intestines via people they touch, toys they mouth and, of course, breastfeeding. (Babies born via cesarean section or fed formula imbibe a different bacterial brew, and some health experts argue that this could put them at a health disadvantage.) Regardless of where your bacterial birthday presents originate, though, the first ones to stake a claim in your gut generally reproduce steadily enough that they are yours for life.

Silent Enemies

So, till death do you part? Well, it depends. Outside forces also hold sway over gut ecology. Antibiotics can pose a major threat to our microbial balance, because they destroy all kinds of bacteria indiscriminately. Once the good bacteria are pushed aside, there’s an opportunity for bad bacteria to move in and start colonizing.

How widespread the resulting damage might be depends on the antibiotic drug’s strength, formulation, absorbability and how long you take it. Recent studies show that just one round of antibiotics can suppress beneficial bacteria for up to 16 months.

“Antibiotics can decimate life as we know it in the gut,” says Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterologist in Norfolk, Va., and founder of YourHealthChoice.net. “It’s like setting off an atomic bomb in the intestines.”

Still, under some circumstances, antibiotics are essential to fending off a dangerous or even life-threatening infection. If you do need to take antibiotics, the key is to use them wisely, carefully following your doctor’s dosing instructions, and then following up with good-bacteria-rebuilding strategies that help keep opportunistic bad bacteria from taking over. (See “7 Steps to Helping Good Bacteria Feel at Home” sidebar.)

Keep in mind, too, that antibiotics aren’t the only threat to your good bacteria’s quality of life. Take your stress level, for example. Stress can damage the gut’s flora in a couple of ways. For starters, stress slows the body’s ability to heal tiny fissures in the intestinal lining. Bacteria sneak through the openings and settle inside the gut’s walls where they cause inflammation. Second, stress can speed up or slow down the contractions in the small intestine, affecting the rate food moves through your system.

To study the effect of stress on beneficial bacteria, scientists looked at the GI tracts of stressed-out college students, as well as angry and fearful people. Across the board, stress threw open the door to disease-causing thugs. “The more stressed you are, the more suppressed your immune system gets, which gives bad bacteria an opportunity to proliferate,” says Donadio. “It’s a vicious cycle.”

OK, so you shun antibiotics, chill out regularly, but still feel bloated, constipated and gassy? Take a good, hard look inside your refrigerator. Everything you eat either feeds the good guys or nourishes the bad. For gut health, experts preach the importance of whole foods and a mostly plant-based diet.

“A healthy bowel is designed for the high-water, high-fiber and high-nutrient-content foods found in the plant world,” says Donadio.

Meanwhile, diets high in animal protein, processed foods, and especially flours and simple sugars tend to raise the numbers of potentially harmful bacteria — perhaps, in part, because such excesses tend to upset the natural acid-alkaline balance of our bodies. “The problem is that the human digestive system hasn’t changed in thousands of years, but our diet has shifted dramatically,” says Reid.

Our ancestors filled up on plants and roots, all alkaline and brimming with good bacteria. But the modern American’s diet overflows with acidifying sugars, meats and dairy, plus salt and poor-quality fats. In the struggle to break down these substances, the gut produces toxic byproducts that can make us sick.

Bacteria Gone Awry

Regardless of where the imbalance originates — a pill bottle, the office or the kitchen — one thing is undisputed: An unhealthy gut spells trouble for the whole body. In particular, the more researchers delve into the inner workings of the gut’s ecology, the greater number of parallels they find between bacterial imbalance and gastrointestinal disease.

Some of the best proof tying bacterial malfunction to GI distress focuses on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An umbrella term covering both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, IBD is an autoimmune disease that triggers inflammation in the gut’s lining; it afflicts more than a million Americans.

Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, bleeding, weight loss, and anemia. With much of IBD a mystery, treatments have focused mostly on managing symptoms. But recent studies point to a disruption in the gut’s flora as a possible root cause. The news has more doctors reaching for probiotics. “For IBD, the drugs are good, but the drugs plus probiotics are much better,” says Raymond. “The results are startling.”

Solid science also backs probiotics in the treatment of diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome, and probiotics’ benefits may ripple well beyond the bowel. Researchers are trying probiotics to treat eczema and rheumatoid arthritis, and to prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections.

“There isn’t a drug on the market that can match bacteria for its far-reaching implications on health,” says Reid, who predicts people will eventually swallow probiotics custom-made to meet their body’s needs.

Indeed, bacteria may be recruited to help solve one of America’s most serious epidemics — obesity.

A 2006 study at Washington University in St. Louis’s School of Medicine found big differences between the collections of gut bacteria in heavy people and their slender peers.
The roles of heredity, diet and exercise notwithstanding, researchers suspect some people’s bacteria are simply better at helping them stash away calories.

“Differences in our gut microbial ecology may determine how many calories we are able to extract and absorb from our diet and deposit in our fat cells,” says Jeffrey Gordon, MD, the study’s lead author and the director of the university’s Center for Genome Sciences. “Even if the differences aren’t great, over the course of a year or more, the effects could add up.”

Catherine Guthrie is a contributing editor to Experience Life. She originally wrote this article for the July 2007 issue.

Why Butter's Back

2011-08-31T20:36:00.000-07:00

The short mag “Experience Life” tells us that butter is making a comeback in many health conscious circles. To find out why, they talked to Sally Fallon Morell, MA, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit research foundation is devoted to promoting traditional whole foods and reporting on related nutritional research.

Butter has gotten a lot of bad press. Why?

There has been a long, deliberate campaign by the vegetable oil industry to demonize butter, and as a result, there’s been a lot of misguided media coverage suggesting that the saturated fats in butter are dangerous and that commercial margarines are a healthier choice. But the science in no way supports that notion. A large scale meta analysis reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in January 2010 found zero evidence linking saturated fat to heart disease.

What evidence is there that butter is healthier?

First, butter is a natural food with a very balanced fatty-acid profile. And unlike margarines, it’s been safely consumed by humans as part of a whole foods diet for many centuries. Over the past few decades, mounting evidence shows that saturated fats from whole foods can be health supporting. A recent study of 3,376 adults by researchers at Harvard found that women with higher whole fat dairy intake had a higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels, lower triglyceride levels and lower insulin resistance. They also had a remarkably lower incidence of type 2 diabetes- a 59 percent reduction in risk. Other recent studies similarly vindicate saturated fat, and when butter is made from milk of grass fed cows, it’s quite high in nutrients- like vitamin A, D and K- that many Americans lack.

What’s wrong with butter substitutes?

Most are made from highly processed industrial oils that may be high in trans fat. Even those low in trans fats still contain badly damaged, rancid fatty acids that have been linked from everything from cancer and heart disease to learning problems. Our bodies simply don’t know how to process these types of substances. So, they wind up provoking inflammation and adding to our toxic load.

Sorry, It's Over: Female Perspective

2011-08-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

I posted the Male Perspective and had a friend email the Female Perspective and I love it! Take a look and have a laugh! Love it!

Sorry It's Over: The Male Perspective

2011-08-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, this maybe a little offensive to some of you but I thought it was so guyish and a little funny! My husband always jokes around like this but after seeing this youtube video, makes me really wonder just how much of it is a joke! Do they really all think this way? Are we women really this bad?

It’s natural to want to have control over your own life. However, most of us realize you can’t control everything, especially other people. You can make requests or try to influence others, but you can’t control them. Psychologist Dr Thomas Schumacher writes, “When you have to be in control of the people around you…when you literally can’t rest until you get your own way…you have a personality disorder. So, do I have a "disorder?"

I speak for myself when I say I am a totally selfish and crazed woman who likes to be in control but in control of myself and MY life. Not yours, your mother's or your sister, but my own life. If you are in my life, well guess what- that sentance would include you. Yes, I want control of my life and may have a strong personality. But let me just say that I have more love in this heart of mine than most others. I'll do anything for my friends, family and loved ones. Yes, I am a control freak but I have to be otherwise nothing would be done. Making sure the laundry is done, the dogs are fed, the bills are paid, the business succeeds, the kids go to school, dinner at 5 and at the kitchen table, the automobiles are repaired, the lawn is done, your needs are met- and that's just a drop in the bucket! If that makes me a control freak....so be it. It that makes me unloveble then I guess those people really weren't the ones for me anyway. And if guys really feel this way, it makes me think I need to change the way I perceive what they are saying or change my vision board to someone who is more like me. But either way, I thought this was in silly fun and thought you would laugh, too!

Check out this video for a lil chuckle!

Blogger Disaster

2011-08-15T23:45:00.000-07:00

UGH!! Please bare with me while I try to fix my blogger account. Somehow everything has an error attached to it and the designer is no longer in business. I should have this blog back up in no time!

Love, Laughter and Happiness Ever After
Kelly~

Banana Chocolate Nourishing Shake

2011-08-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serving Size: 1 serving

Ingredients

¾ cup Milk, 2% Reduced Fat
1 Banana, medium
3 Tbsp Dedicted Woman Protein Powder
1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Benefiber® Fiber Supplement (Novartis Consumer Health)
5 Ice Cubes

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
Serve immediately.

*Tip: Replace reduced fat milk with skim milk for less fat and calories.

**Note: Cocoa powder can be replaced with 2-3 Tbsp chocolate syrup, if desired. This substitution will increase the caloric value of the recipe.

***Going crazy? Add whip cream and a little topping of choice.

Dietary Exchanges

1 Reduced Fat Milk, 2 Fruit, 2 Very Lean Meat

Nutrient Content Claims

Excellent Source of Protein
Excellent Source of Fiber
Excellent Source of Calcium
Excellent Source of Vitamin C

Orange Mango Banana Nourishing Smoothie

2011-08-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serving Size: 1 serving

Ingredients

⅓ cup Milk, 2% Reduced Fat
⅓ cup Naked Juice, Mighty Mango flavor
1 Banana, medium
3 Tbsp Dedicated Woman Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tsp Benefiber® Fiber Supplement (Novartis Consumer Health)
5 Ice Cubes

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
Serve immediately.

*Tip: Replace reduced fat milk with skim milk for less fat and calories.

Dietary Exchanges

½ Reduce Fat Milk, 2½ Fruit, 2 Very Lean Meat

Nutrient Content Claims

Low Fat
Low Cholesterol
Low Sodium
Excellent Source of Protein
Excellent Source of Fiber
Excellent Source of Vitamin A
Excellent Source of Vitamin C
Good Source of Calcium

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

2011-08-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serving Size: 2 servings

Ingredients

1 cup Skim Milk
1 container (6-8 oz) Light Strawberry Yogurt
⅓ cup Dedicated Woman Vanilla Protein
½ cup Strawberries, frozen

Directions

Place all ingredients into blender container, cover and pulse (mix) until smooth.
Pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

*Option: Replace strawberries and yogurt with other fruit or yogurt of your choice.

Dietary Exchanges

1 Skim Milk, ½ Fruit, 1½ Very Lean Meat

Nutrient Content Claims

Excellent Source of Protein
Fat Free
Low Cholesterol
Excellent Source of Vitamin C
Excellent Source of Calcium

Just Like a Blizzard Shake

2011-08-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Peparation Time: 5 MinutesServing Size: 1 serving

Ingredients

½ cup frozen blueberries
½ frozen banana (pre-peeled)
1 Scoop any flavor Dedicated Woman Protein
1 Cup Almond Milk

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender, cover and mix until smooth. Pour into glass. Serve immediately.

Share your Story

2011-06-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

We’re always looking to talk to people about their medical issues, so don’t be shy, contact us! You can leave comments on any of the posts and we’ll respond to them. Or, send us an email!

Email Kelly at:
Kelly@Dedicatedwoman.com

Email John at:
Hello@Extremelabs.net

When you contact us, be sure to tell us your story with colitis, Crohn’s disease, or any other medical conditions you have related to the digestive tract. Tell us how old you are, how long you’ve been suffering with it, and what successes and failures you’ve had with treatment and medicine.

If you have your own blog or videos, let us know and we’d be happy to check it out. Who knows? Maybe we’ll trade links and help share our experiences with the rest of the world. If you ever come across any medical news stories or research stories or of anything else you think is relevant to the IBD community, send us a link!

Communication is essential to dealing with disease, and unfortunately for most of us, we don’t know anybody or have meet anybody in person who’s had IBD and who understands what we are going through. But through the magic of the Internet, we can find support!

No Dessert? Are you CRAZY?

2011-06-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking. Crohns and desserts just don’t mix. But can you imagine going the rest of your life without having one of those decadent little treats? Well, I can’t.

Many of us with Crohns, Diabetes and other diseases were taught to avoid concentrated sweets (simple sugars), because they were thought to overload the blood with glucose much faster than starches (complex carbs). But over the years things have changed. Studies show that there is no need to avoid sugar totally unless you’re on some plan that requests you do like OA or FA. Many research studies show that foods containing sugar can be part of a healthy diet, even with people with such diseases.

Baked potatoes and pasta are just as likely to raise blood sugar levels and cookies and sweets, I'm not saying to indulge eating them every day; we are talking in major moderation.

With my Crohns disease, I’ve found that the best type of diet for me is a Ketogenic diet, meaning I limit my carbs to very minimal amounts. My intestines have a really hard time digesting carbs, leaving me to only feel cramping and experiencing major bloating.

What’s the best way to integrate snacks?
Even if you have Crohns, you can have your cake and eat it too. The key is to integrate your little snack into an overall healthy diet or meal plan. What you eat and what you do is at the heart of any treatment plan. If you are exercising, which is a must for everyone, eating the right foods will help you keep your blood sugar in check and triglycerides at a steady level. Which is the key to keeping problems under control for those with diabetes.

For those of us who just can’t live without a lil some-thin some-thin from now and then, I have added a few decadent recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth without the associated guilt. Check out next week’s posts for the recipes!

I have Crohns Disease....NOW WHAT?

2011-02-19T14:38:00.001-08:00

Yes, I have it. And I'm so really well...pissed off! I was diagnosed on my honeymoon. We were in Cancun and 4 hours after we arrived I was in so much pain I could not stand up. We didn't know what it was and I was to afraid to visit a hospital in Mexico. So, for 6 days I toughed out the pain but the moment we returned I wound up right in the ER.

I created this blog initially as a temporary site for the Dedicated Woman blog, but now that it is up and running, the only natural transition is to create this blog and dedicated it to my other cause....Crohns Disease.

What is it ?
Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, the cause of which is still unclear. The disease may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, is more common in women than men and most patients present at between the ages of 15 and 30 years. Although it can occur at any age diagnosis is rare before 10 years of age, however there is an increase in the number of children affected worldwide, some as young as 3 months old.. Many studies place the incidence of Crohn's Disease in western countries at between 2 and 6 per 100,000 population, with more than 400,000 Americans diagnosed with the disease, accounting for 76,000 hospitalizations per year. More than 10,000 Australians have Crohn's disease.

Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms will vary from person to person and may flare up or recede at different times. In Crohn's disease some patients may exhibit the following symptoms: diarrhea (80%), weight loss (70%), anal lesions (65%), abdominal pain (55%), rectal bleeding (45%), fever (35%), fistula (similar to a weeping wound) (10%). Other features of the disorder may include: gallstones, malabsorbtion of food and nutritional deficiencies, weight loss or weight gain, eye complications like conjunctivitis, vomiting, pain, constipation, problems with joints and quite commonly mild abdominal distention and tenderness. Some people with Crohn's can experience a small gut obstruction and/or an abdominal mass.

Treatment
Approximately 85% of patients with Crohn's disease require surgery during the natural course of their disease. Most sufferers can lead full and rewarding lives including sport diving during periods of symptom-stability, though more than half suffer recurrent attacks after the first surgical resection and half of this group will require further surgery. Currently there is no cure for this disease. Treatment is aimed at helping control the symptoms, though with the recent breakthrough in identifying the first gene in Crohn's, Nod2, there is hope of a cure as soon as 5 or 6 years time. (www.acca.net.au)

Valentine's Day Special

2011-02-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish you a Happy ♥ Day by offering to you, our established customers, 15% off of our already discounted Couples kits. Make this Valentine's Day a super special one and get a kick start to a healthier new life with that special someone-start the program together! Just use promo code (kisses) to take advantage of our special offer. Act soon this offer ends 2/28/11.

Taurus....Who Me?

2011-01-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

Taurus About Your Sign...

The characteristics of taurus are solidity, practicality, extreme determination and strength of will - no one will ever drive them, but they will willingly and loyally follow a leader they trust. They are stable, balanced, conservative good, law-abiding citizens and lovers of peace, possessing all the best qualities of the bourgeoisie. As they have a sense of material values and physical possessions, respect for property and a horror of falling into debt, they will do everything in their power to maintain the security of the status quo and be somewhat hostile to change.

Mentally, the caracteristics of taurus are keen-witted (sarcastic) and practical more often than intellectual, but apt to become fixed in their opinions through their preference for following accepted and reliable patterns of experience. Taurus character is generally dependable, steadfast, prudent, just, firm and unshaken in the face of difficulties. Their vices arise from their virtues, going to extremes on occasion, such as sometimes being too slavish to the conventions they admire.

On rare occasions a Taurus may be obstinately and exasperatingly self-righteous, unoriginal, rigid, ultraconservative, argumentative, querulous bores, stuck in a self-centered rut. They may develop a brooding resentment through nursing a series of injuries received and, whether their characters are positive or negative, they need someone to stroke their egos with a frequent, "Well Done!" Most Taurus people are not this extreme though.

They are faithful and generous friends with a great capacity for affection, but rarely make friends with anyone outside their social rank, to which they are ordinarily excessively faithful. In the main, they are gentle, even tempered, good natured, modest and slow to anger, disliking quarreling and avoiding ill-feeling. If they are provoked, however, they can explode into violent outbursts of ferocious anger in which they seem to lose all self-control. Equally unexpected are their occasional sallies into humor and exhibitions of fun.

Although their physical appearance may belie it, they have a strong aesthetic taste, enjoying art, for which they may have a talent, beauty (recoiling from anything sordid or ugly) and music. They may have a strong, sometimes unconventional, religious faith. Allied to their taste for all things beautiful is a love for the good things of life pleasure, comfort, luxury and good food and wine and they may have to resist the temptation to over indulgence, leading to drunkenness, gross sensuality, and covetousness.

In their work, Taurus are industrious and good craftspeople, and are not afraid of getting their hands dirty. They are reliable, practical, methodical and ambitious, within a framework of obedience to superiors. They are at their best in routine positions of trust and responsibility, where there is little need of urgency and even less risk of change, and a pension at the end. Yet they are creative and good founders of enterprises where the rewards of their productiveness come from their own work and not that of others.

They can flourish in many different trades and professions: banking, architecture, building, almost any form of bureaucracy, auctioneering, farming, medicine, chemistry, industry. Taurus make good managers and foremen surveying, insurance, education and, perhaps surprisingly, music and sculpture. They make an ideal trustee or guardian, and can attain eminence as a chef. Some Taurus are gifted enough in singing to become opera stars or to excel in more popular types of music.

They are more than averagely amorous and sensually self-conscious, but sexually straightforward and not given to experiment. They make constant, faithful, home loving spouses and thoughtful, kindly parents, demanding too much of neither their spouses nor children. They can be over possessive and may sometimes play the game of engineering family roles for the pleasure of making up the quarrel. If anyone offends their amour proper they can be a determined enemy, though magnanimous in forgiveness if their opponent makes an effort to meet them halfway.

No other sign in the zodiac is closer to earth then Taurus. The main objective in leading a Taurean life is primarily (though not entirely) to maintain stability and physical concerns. Your inner spiritual sense longs for earthly harmony and wholesomeness. When you fully understand this, and work toward this end, you will no longer need to blindly reassure yourself with external possessions and comforts. A realization that finding this inner peace will cause all of the above mentioned positive things will overtake you and your life will be very full.

Ultimately the Taurean needs to discover their truest, deepest and highest values. When they know what is truly valuable, they are no longer chained to people and to things that have to do with lesser values. The greatest indication of value to a Taurean is beauty, which cannot be owned, only appreciated.

Crohnies Poem

2011-01-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

© Andy Carrington, 2009.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/

Crohnies

There is a rare poem in each of us buried

somewhere within our wounded hearts;

And for those that have no known cause or cure,

here be an open, organic form to detail with our every word.

Call it faith,

or a credo of personal truths;

I am not interested in writing sonnets

when moments we each have cried,

in fear, to the stale scent

of our covering blankets.

We suffer, And we’re expected to fail,

Yet as individuals we still manage

to keep fighting on, And this, surely, must be considered an art:

The first discipline in conquering the simple, mundane

tasks that have become our daily challenge.

Yes, we are artists, Never considered

to be “normal”,

Not when we have caressed the palms of spirits

within the depths of our dreams.

We meet daily with our fears and never take

for granted our imagination;

We are strong,

Looking through an ecru window

to the outside world,

away from the doctors who take away

our morphine, and those awful nurses

who force us to eat.

We believe,

That one day we will taste the outside air,

free from pain and the need for meds

… in health, deserving better.

Can added protein be bad for me?

2010-11-17T14:50:00.001-08:00

Many times when I’m out and about the subject of protein usually rears its head in some form or another. This brings to the thought that there are actually thousands of people who don’t really know what protein is or what it’s purpose is. Please allow me just a moment to clear up some mis-conceptions.

The word protein comes from an ancient Greek word meaning of greatest importance. And that points to how fundamental protein is to health. It’s the chemical workhorse of the body and the building block of skin, internal organs, hormones, and enzymes. Despite its great importance, protein has endured much controversy over the past 40 years which is quite understandable. The reason goes back to Dr. Robert Atkins’ high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet — once thought to be somewhat dangerous.

Could protein actually be dangerous? Doctors and dietitians believed that high-protein diets translated to high saturated-fat diets, which could increase the risk of heart disease. Everyone has an opinion but for one thing, protein isn’t always loaded with saturated fat. Secondly, there’s controversy about whether saturated fat deserves its bad rap.

We receive so many emails and submissions with the concern of consuming too much protein. Many of our customers are afraid that the protein will cause unwanted side-affects or other health issues such as kidney damage. So, here I am proud to say that added protein is only bad for your kidneys for those with impaired kidney function. The basic understanding here should be this basic: for most people, consuming more protein may help you lose weight and improve glycemic control.

The Natural Solution

2010-10-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

Check out the new product line direct from Dedicated Woman (the momma company)......

Acai Berry Max by The Natural Solution

2010-10-15T00:48:00.000-07:00

How does hCG really work?

2010-10-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

CCFA: How Do You Talk To Your Doctor?

2010-10-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

First and most important is that you be completely honest with your medical doctor. Don't be embarrassed, shy or intimidated at all. Unlike a broken arm, sliced open legs or boils on your face, your gastrointestinal doctor can not physically see what is going on inside of you, so you need to be clear and concise in order to diagnose or give you the correct medicine that corresponds to your symptoms. The only way for them to see exactly what is going on with you is to do a colonoscopy, but you won't have them every month or every time you have flare-ups. So, being on the same page and honest with your doctor is imperative.

Because our disease works much in the same way technically, when you describe your symptoms your doctors will most likely know what to prescribe to you. If your poop looks like worms or if your poopies are bloody, black or pea sized, pain location, rashes or hives +
these are the things they need to know. What you may think is non-important just may make or break your ability to manage your disease. So, be honest.

They have to have the facts and nothing but the facts. If you are a junk food eater, not watching your diet or not managing your Crohns tell them.

Crohn's Disease and MY Diet

2010-10-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

My basic understanding of Crohn's disease is this: Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which causes inflammation to the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease is an auto-immune disease, meaning the immune system attacks its own healthy body tissue. White blood cells gather into the seams of the intestinal lining, initiating chronic inflammation, then progressing to ulcerations and injury to the bowel.

Crohn's can affect any part of the intestine from the mouth to the anus, it isn't picky. Most noted is the lower part of the small intestine, or the ileum. The ileum is where my tumor lies. The inflammation and swelling going on in within the feet of your intestines penetrate deep into the intestinal lining, causing horrific pain, vomiting and diarrhea. And if you are lucky like me you will experience fainting spells. Because our intestines have the inability to digest nutrients properly and even absorb water, malnutrition becomes a completely real and immediate threat. Do we have a lot in common?

Although, the doctors are great, your real relief I find comes from groups. C&C groups here in Vegas are loaded with women, men and children suffering from the disease. How do we cure this disease? We don't cure it we manage it. I find the best medicine is just talking to other suffers like myself.

When I first started my research the Las Vegas area did not offer any type of support group for Crohn's Disease. I had to drive to California if I wanted the support of a group. After being diagnosed and seeing the need for a community group, my sister and I created Las Vegas' first C&C support group at St. Rose Hospital. If you find the lack of groups in your area, don't immediately assume that there must not be that many effected in your area, create your own group. If you need assistance, I'd be more than happy to lend my experiences to you. Within 4 months we went from 4 suffers to 54 active Crohn's member.

My Diet

As many of you already know, I elected not to continue with western medicine. The honest truth is that everything the doctors prescribed for me just made me feel worse. The meds caused more symptoms than the actual disease did. So, for me, I chose to go the natural route. My natural regimen consists of Probiotics,

Omega-3 fatty acids, flax seed oil, Aloe Vera Juice, L-Glutamine, Adrenal Support supplements, and the Myers Cocktail. I've detailed this under the Myers Cocktail post.

Water

Water is my best friend these days. Due to the ka-ka symptoms, it's imperative to keep your fluid intake high. There is no limit as to how much water to drink per day. Drink until you swim. The water will help flush out the organs. Electrolytes help keep the electrical balance and water distributed to the cells.

High Calorie or Low Carb
Many experts suggest a high-calorie liquid diet because it may bring relief to the embattled intestines, and enable greater absorption of nutrients so needed by Crohn's sufferers. But for those who are on the heavier side like myself, and want to keep their calories in check may want to consider adding protein shakes into their meal plan versus a high calorie diet. As you already know, not one of us is the same. Although we share the same disease our fingerprint is never the same. What works for me may not work for you. There are no set rules or diet plans for Crohn's suffers and no diet works universally. But learning and being aware of which foods agree with you and which ones don't gives you the upper hand in planning your meals and future remissions.

For those of you who have lost a lot of weight and can't seem to keep it on may want to try a high-calorie, high-protein diet with 6 meals per day. When I say "meal" I mean 3 complete clean meals and 3 protein shakes or some other type of protein snack. Also, a low-residue diet may be beneficial for you as a low-fiber and low-residue diet can decrease the cramps, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Off Limit Foods
I try to stay away from dairy products, high-fiber foods and salads, fried foods, whole grains and bran, some nuts and seeds, red meat, spicy foods (even though Mexican food is so yummy), and dominating carbs. I absolutely stay clear of alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, and milk. Although, due to my recent separation from my husband a glass of wine, maybe the call to order. I'll let you wine drinkers know how it affects me!

Food Journals
Lastly, it is highly suggested that you keep a journal of what you are consuming daily. A daily food journal may bring non-conforming foods to light. Many times we eat something and don't realize that the bagel you are having every morning is causing major gastro issues. Don't feel intimidated about the journal, just write down what you eat, how much you ate, and how it made you feel afterwards. If you need a journal you can download mine from this blog. I haven't figured out how to attach it to this post so just search for "THE JOURNAL." Good luck my lovelies, I hope that some of this helps!

Hugs~

Yes, Crohn's is a Devastating Disease

2010-10-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

Learn about Crohn's Disease -

My husband complains that "it's always one thing or another," which bothers me more than anything considering he is supposed to be my number one supporter right? Well, honey--it is always one thing or another, you never know how the day will treat you with Crohn's Disease. I can't control it. I can't forecast or prepare for Crohn's Disease or the pain that is associated with it.

Do the meds work? Maybe for some but not for me. Do my natural supplements work? Yes, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Crohn's Disease is the silent killer, unfortunately, I can not see what is going on inside me. I can be feeling great, then within a day or two can suffer from major flare-ups. I can go 3 months, 3 weeks or 3 days in remission. Or, I can be chronic for months at a time. It's very hurtful that he and others that don't understand the severity of the disease simply dismiss it as if it were just PMS or a cold. My husband just sees it as "another complaint."

For those who are uneducated as to our symptoms or how debilitating Crohn's Disease really is, here is another video that may help you understand a little better.

This chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal condition can have a devastating impact on a person's life. While there is no cure for crohn's disease, it is manageable with the right treatment options.

Learn about Crohn's Disease

The "Pill Cam"

2010-10-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

I never knew this was available! So, does this mean no more colon scaries?

How a Tumor Grows

2010-10-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

Just a few videos to help you understand what is going on inside your body.

Join us and support the Mamavation campaign

2010-10-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Join Leah next Monday, October 18th from 8-10pm EST for the Mamavation Twitter Party Launch. My special guests will be talking about how you can create and sustain a healthy lifestyle, we will be giving away a GRIP of fitness swag AND announcing the next two Mamavation Moms, http://www.mamavation.com/2010/09/mamavation-twitter-party-launch.html.

What you can win:

1. GRAND PRIZE: Interview with Jared from SUBWAY (2 winners)

2. Earth Footwear (3 pairs, 3 winners)

3. SUBWAY $25 Gift Card (2 winners)

4. EA SPORTS Active “More Workouts” (value $60, 3 sets, 3 winners)

5. Gruve (value $300, 3 sets, 3 winners)

6. SoCal Cleanse Organic Protein & Detox product (value $48, 2 winners)

7. Pete Cohen’s Nutritional Program Membership (value $70, 3 winners)

8. Tracey Mallett Fitness DVDs (value $20, 2 DVDS, 2 winners)

9. Chefs Requested 100 Calorie Steak Packs (4 packages per winner, 3 winners)

Make sure to RSVP to the post AND show up that night because if you win and you aren’t there, we draw again w/in 10 minutes.

So come join us and support the Mamavation campaign! See you there!

How Society Views FAT People

2010-10-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

…..the constant blame-the victim message, the notion that anyone could be thin if they really wanted to or if they found the right diet, (is) not only demoralizing fat people but leading to a society in which prejudice against the overweight and obese has become the last remaining socially acceptable one … “Obese people get a level of abuse now that could not even be considered with any other group,” says Jeffrey Friedman, an obesity researcher at Rockefeller University … “We have this naïve view that the whole system of weight control can be controlled by willpower,” Friedman says. He likes to cite weight loss advice from two millennia ago – eat less and exercise more. “We have to do better than repeating two thousand year old mantras,” he says.

I found this book reference while skimming the web. What do you think of the quote? Do you agree that obesity is unacceptable in our society, despite the fact that 2/3 of us are overweight or obese? What about prejudice against fat people - have you experienced it? Do you agree that it's the last remaining socially acceptable prejudice? Do we blame the victim, and if we do, is it a fair criticism? Can we do better than "eat less, move more"?

I’m going to be honest here and tell you that I am guilty of “fat hating”. I’ve always viewed overweight or fat people as lazy, dirty, non-intelligent, smelly, unworthy, the list goes on. When I was in management, much to my embarrassment, I wouldn’t have dreamed of hiring someone overweight—my God, what would that say of us. I try to make sure I don't weight the value of a person (or their ideas) based on any aspect of appearance. But it's still hard. I blame years of conditioning through mass media still to be at fault.

It’s a pathetic fact that society views overweight/fat people negatively. A national epidemic is obviously now more than “just having some willpower”. High school is over, college is behind us and as we age unfortunately so does our body. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2007. Since then I’ve been on heavy medication which has caused an overall 72lb. weight gain. So, I know the looks, I’ve have the displeasure of experiencing them personally. And until now, only being in the same shoes can I empathize with overweight people. The media obviously still pushes “thin” as the norm, yet as I look to my high school classmates, there are only a handful that have maintained their weight. So, what really is the norm?

The contrast between how people have related to me when I was muscular and how they relate to me now is shocking. I can say the same things now in just the same manner and I can clearly see that people paid more attention and valued my opinions more as a thin person. Is that right?

Team Challenge: Our training

2010-09-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hurt Hearts Do Mend

2010-09-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Life is tough especially when you are in a position you never dreamed or could ever imagine for yourself. When the heart hurts, life seems to take on a whole new rule. Nothing else seems matters but the heart. Heartbreak is something I don't wish on anyone, yet I have felt it several times in my life. Today, I awake to this incredible email from my sister. I wanted to share it with you.

My Sister Patti
Most hearts have been injured, and it is an unhealed heart that is vulnerable to the unhealthy attachments to people, euphoria, romance, or sex that we will refer to as “addictive love.” Think of the heart as having two sets of emotions. The lower emotions are connected to the hurts and injuries that lead to placing conditions on the love we offer to others. But our conditions are rarely fulfilled, and the result is that we end up feeling lonely, isolated, anxious, jealous, heartbroken, abandoned, betrayed, rageful, insecure, hateful, distant, or numb – once again. As we get to the source of these feelings and heal them, we begin to feel the higher emotions of the heart, those that lead to the deep unconditional over of self of which we are capable. When that happens, we are no longer dependent on our relationships to feel good. We want to reach out, share, embrace, give, nurture – all in the name of love.

The Fairy Tale We Should Have Been Read

2010-09-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time in a land far away a beautiful, independent, self-assured princess cam upon a frog as she sat contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a field near her castle.

The frog hopped into the lap of the princess and said, "Elegant lady, I was once a handsome prince until an evil witch cast a spell on me. One kiss for you however, will turn me back in the handsome young prince I am. An then we can marry, and set up housekeeping in your castle with my mother. You can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy to do so."

That night the princess dined on lightly sauteed frog legs season in white wine with onion cream sauce and chuckled to herself, "I don't frigging think so!".

Visit The Natural Solutions hCG site today

2010-09-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovies!! Hope the day has gone well for you. I have heard that many have had ER trips and I wish you a speedy recovery and if you could see me you'd see me blowing kisses to you! Get well and hurry back!

I wanted to let you know that our sister site, The Natural Solution has launched their "A Way of Living" hCG weight loss solution today. Please visit the site and let me know what you think of the design. If you make a purchase type in Cronh's for a 20% discount and FREE shipping to U.S. residents.

If you are following an hCG diet or our hCG Solution please keep us posted of your progress.

Have a great day!
Hugs!

How I found out I had Crohn's Disease

2010-09-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Loveies! Happy Monday to you all and here is to wishing for a calm and pain free week! I get many emails asking when and how I was diagnosed and I thought this blog was the best way to tell you the truth.

I've had right lower abdomen pain since I could remember, probably starting around the age of 25 (I'm guessing). Pain so bad, most days it would leave me slumped over and unable to even stand up straight. I went to many doctors...many. I'm not exaggerating when I say that up until 2007, I may have seen in the number of 30 physicians. Each and everyone could not diagnose the pain. At the time I was even in the medical field. I'd have every doctor I ever worked for do blood panels and ultrasounds just to find the cause....and nothing all those years. There in itself is my reason for my current beliefs of the medical profession.

On our honeymoon, we land in Cancun. We settled into the hotel and proceeded to walk the strip to find a place to celebrate our first diner in Cancun. After 1/2 hour after eating the dull pains, turned into sharp stabbing pains at this time. As the night continued I was confined to our hotel room thinking I had appendicitis. My poor husband and I had no idea what to do. I knew I wasn't about to visit a Mexican hospital. I sent him out pimping for some pain pills at those corner pharmacies. Thank God, for those little blue pills! Although, I was still in severe pain, I could cover it up just enough to try to enjoy the rest of our honeymoon together. I couldn't do everything we had planned, which I apologized to my husband for. You know his sex fest...was completely cut out that week. I am still very angry that Mrs. Crohn's literally ruined our honeymoon and had no idea of the chaos she was about to unleash!

When we got back I again had many visits with doctors only to be disappointed again. Nothing was done and nothing was found. 2, yes 2 years later- the heavy symptoms began. Mrs. Crohn's thought she would really get me by having me pass out, literally pass-out, then vomit on myself while unconscious. Now, I could be anywhere- the store, at work, driving, it really didn't matter to her. I didn't feel sick, I felt fine, no symptoms at the time. Here is how it would occur: Out of the blue and at a blink of an eye, my head would start to feel funny (dizzy), then I would immediately get blurred vision and within seconds I would be down. I would wake up, never in the same spot I started in and would have vomit either all over me or all over the floor. In 2007, this is where it really all began. November 19th, that day was so bad with the whole passing out thing, the hubby forced me into the hospital. And presto....a few tests later and I was diagnosed with a severe case of (drum roll) Crohn's Disease. The tests were awful, the pain, the diarrhea, and the woman in the next bed who just found out here intestinal tract was removed was completely horrifying.

For 7 days I had 3 meals per day of broth. I thought I was going mad, I was so hungry but they wouldn't let me eat as they were waiting to see how the meds would begin to work for me. I hate needles and being poked and prodded for those 7 days was more than I could handle. I asked them to release me before treatment was over, I literally could not handle another day in the hospital. So, there it is, my life long disease finally acknowledged. All those years I must have had the disease and never knew it. So, when they say it's a silent disease, believe it. We have no idea what is going on inside us, which is such a frightening thought.

So, today- after feeling worse with all the drugs they gave me, I am back to living with a little pain, and mostly going the alternative route. I use natural supplements instead of the heavy drugs, not to say I will never consider them if my symptoms worsen, but they seems to do more harm then good. So, for now, I'll stick with my Myers Cocktail, fish oils, glutamine, B-12, and adrenal supplements and hope for the best. I'm sorta on the lazy side of taking care of myself by made a promise that I will get back on track this month, change my eating patterns and get back to health.

Have a great week Lovelies!

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

2010-09-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

Crohn's disease is named for Burrill Bernard Crohn after he and others described it in a published article in 1932. It is also referred to as ileitis. Crohn's disease is an inflammation of the digestive tract which usually occurs in the small intestine, although it can appear anywhere from the mouth to the anus.

Crohn's Disease and its bad brother disease, ulcerative colitis, fall under the same category of IBD, inflammatory bowel disease. They both share similar symptoms, but colitis differs in that it usually only affects the colon and rectum. IBD and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are two different chronic diseases and should not be confused as one. IBS doesn't have the serious complications of IBD and is not treated in the same manner. During a flare-up of IBD, any of the following symptoms can occur:

Symptoms of IBD

• diarrhea
• low-grade fever
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• abdominal cramping and pain
• weight loss
• flatulence (gas)
• blood in stool
• headaches
• vomiting

Complications of IBD
• malabsoption
• steatorrhea (bloating)
• peritonitis (leaking walls)
• strictures (partial obstruction of bowel)
• fistulas and abscesses
• iron-deficiency anemia
• malnutrition

Theories of what causes C&C
• Gentic Factors: 20% of patients have a close family member with the disease. Also more prevalent with Europeans and those of Jewish descent.

• Virus: Bacterium that causes the immune system to product anti-bodies that attack the digestive tract.

• Environmental Factors: The disease is found more frequently in industrialized nations and those whose diet consists of high fat and refined foods.

Possible Contributing Factors:
• smoking
• oral contraceptive use
• MMR vaccine
• antibiotic use
• zinc deficiency

An estimated 1.4 million Americans have C&C with 30,000 new cases diagnosed yearly according to Dr. James F. Marion. It is most commonly diagnoses between the ages of 15-35. It is equally diagnosed between both men and women. Conditions with IBD are arthritis, migraines, kidney stones, osteoporosis, among others. C&C patients also have a higher risk of developing colon cancer. IBD has increased rapidly since the 1950s, and could be because of environmental factors or better diagnosis of the disease.

Diagnosis
After a complete work up including a physical and blood work, you doctor will probably order a barium x-ray and colonoscopy. A barium consists of drinking this god awful (sorry) liquid on an empty stomach prior to a series of x-rays. The colonoscopy is a procedure where a flexible tube with a scope on the end of it is inserted into your rectum so that the entire colon can be examined for inflammation and obstructions.

Treatments
There are many depending on your beliefs and desired treatment of your medical doctor. Currently, the most common treatments are:

o Immunosuppressives
o Anti-biotics
o Anti-inflammatories

These treatments can cause a host of side effects ranging from mild to severe. Yet, these drugs can get you closer to feeling normal rather than not. Find the right doctor for you. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and to push until you get answers. Don't forget to ask if a natural, non-invasive therapy is suitable for you rather than the harsh pharmaceutical drugs.

There are other medications and supplements used to reduce symptoms such as nicotine patches which help relieve symptoms of colitis. Antidiarrheal drugs that slow down muscle activity, and fiber bulks up stool. Laxatives for cases of constipation. Tylenol for pain relief. H-2 blockers such as Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac (acid reducers). And multi-vitamins or IV therapies for deficiencies caused by diarrhea and inadequate nutrient intake and in cases of iron-deficiency anemia.

Surgery
When it all fails, surgery may be recommended by your doctor. With Crohn's removing the portion of the gasto-intestional tract that is damaged can result in remission of the disease, but with all surgeries it may only be temporary. The disease can come back harder and further surgery may be needed. With colitis, the disease can be "cured" by removal of the entire colon and rectum.

Blogging: My current obsession

2010-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovies,

Hope your weekend went well. It went all to quickly for me since I've been in the darn office since Friday. We've added some new products to one of our companies called The Natural Solution. So, as you can imagine, all the paperwork in drowning me.

I wanted to introduce my other blog sites to you and ask that you visit and let me know what you think. Your opinion is very important to me and any suggestions are appreciated.

My business blog is www.dedicatedwoman.com/wp and my Crohns blog is www.themeanirishwife.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there.

Hugs~

Affirmations to make a difference

2010-09-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you a little board that I created and have hanging in my office. Everyday, it's the first thing I see as I sit down in front of my computer. I read it line by line, then continue on with my day. Is this list making me a better and happier person? I don't know, you decide!

Always remember who you are not what someone wants you to be.
No judgement.
Love the child inside of you.
Begin a love affair with yourself before you can venture out to love someone else.
God will provide.
No worries.
Live in today!
No drama or insecurity.
Erase negative self thought and chatter.
Grow instead of die.
Believe you are worth it.
Step back and step out.
Only I can change my life's experiences.
Everything happens to lead us to our life's purpose.
Improve something in your life daily.
Learn something new daily, even if it is at midnight.
Feel more connected to earth and life.
Enjoy being alive.
Love people and let them be.
No attachments.
Give to myself first.
My only job is to laugh.
Appreciation is huge.
Follow your heart.
Be present, be at peace.
Life is my movie, I am the only director, so make it a good one.
Treat everyone like they are your best friend.
Expand your heart daily.
A simple smile will kill the pain.
Breathe and relax.
When we judge, we tell God that he is wrong.
It is what it is.

Women are a powerful source, know your power.

God Bless Lovies!~

Myers' Cocktail: Kelly's Description

2010-09-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

OK, so you read the technical stuff for those of you who needed it and here is my version:

Myers' Cocktail ( intravenous nutrient therapy ) is a form of intravenous nutrient therapy that involves injecting a “cocktail” of nutrients, containing magnesium, calcium, B12, B6, B complex, and vitamin C, directly into the bloodstream to improve energy capacity and cell function. When energy levels are high and cells can function at their best, patients are more likely to recover from acute and chronic conditions such as fatigue, depression, asthma and more.

The Myers’ Cocktail was originally developed by Dr. John Myers, a Maryland physician, many moons ago who used intravenous injections of several different nutrients to treat a wide range of conditions. More recently, the Myers’ Cocktail has been popularized by Dr. Alan Gaby, President of the American Holistic Medical Association.

The idea behind the Myers’ Cocktail is that many common conditions are caused by bloating, maldigestion and other abnormalities or deficiencies within the digestive process that prevent patients from fully absorbing the nutrients in their food. By injecting these nutrients directly into the bloodstream, they are delivered to your cells without interference from the digestive system. This form of treatment is especially ideal for patients with digestive problems, including bloating, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. Similarly, many conditions cause the body to use up nutrients at a much faster rate for healing, which can be aided by injecting extra nutrients into the body.

Sometimes your doctor may do a "modified" cocktail which would probably include something like this: magnesium, calcium, B12, B6, Bs, B complex and vitamin C. This combination is designed to help patients receive the proper amount of nutrients that they may need in order to treat their individual condition. This combination of nutrients is usually more effective than taking just one nutritional supplement like many other doctors recommend, such as vitamin C to treat the common cold.

Myers' cocktail is administered with an iv when nutrients are given intravenously, your digestive system is bypassed and a much higher level of nutrition is directly delivered to your cells throughout the bloodstream.
In addition to treating these and other conditions, the Myers’ Cocktail is also effective in providing a natural energy boost and relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic depression. This energy boost can last for several days or weeks and can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. Myers’ Cocktail can help strengthen the immune system as well, allowing patients who constantly get sick to effectively fight off viral illnesses.

My doctor, Dr. Caroline Matzinger of Las Vegas, specializes in this type of treatment and is very good and quick. The whole procedure only takes about 5 minutes in her office. My IV is done by syringe not by bag therapy. It doesn't hurt, burn or sting. The only side effect is you get hot and in your lower region if you know what I mean. Ain't saying it's a bad thing either! :o)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or call me. I'm always here for you.

God Bless Lovies!

The Myers Cocktail: an IVMT

2010-09-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

This is the one thing that I can not live without. After 1 week of not having the IV treatment, I feel it. I get sluggish, tired, symptom bound and break out with the boils and sores. So, here is a little info on the best kept secret for Crohn's suffers. Here is some real "TECHNICAL" verbage on it.

The Myers’ Cocktail as a health alternative for the following acute & chronic conditions - Please note that it is Strongly Recommended that this treatment option should only be administered by a fully-licensed qualified & experienced Physician (DO or MD). It should further be noted that a New Specialty in Integrated Medicine has been created, as a result of the US Noble Prize scientist, Linus Pauling, based on his extensive scientific peer-reviewed research studies and findings on Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

Of course, over the years, the German's and the Swiss scientists and doctor's have developed some very interesting treatment 'integration' protocols in the use of combining specific Pharmaceuticals, with "Pharmaceutical-grade" Phytomedicinals, Nurticeuticals & Nutritional Support, for a variety of Pain, Immune, Neurological, Cancer and Chronic disease(s) applications.

This New shift in paradigm is now referred to as: Ortho-Molecular Medicine.

* Fibromyalgia Syndrome

* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

* Depression

* Acute-Chronic Pain & Muscle Spasm

* Asthma

* Urticaria

* Rhinitis

* Sinusitis

* Congestive Heart Failure

* Angina

* Senile Dementia, including Alzheimer's

* Intestional disease and Immune Deficiency

Intravenous micro-nutrient therapy (IVMT)
And specifically use of the “Myers’ Cocktail”, is a popular approach among Complementary and Alternative Medicine physicians. Interest in and use of IVMT is growing as evidenced by the number of clinics across the US offering IVMT as a principal treatment. While no exact figures currently exist, members from a wide range of national medical associations including The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA), the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM), the Great Lakes College of Clinical Medicine (GLCCM) and the International Society of Ortho-molecular Medicine (ISOM) report using IVMT. Data obtained by an on-line survey of members of these organizations in support of this application suggest that IVMT is widely used for a variety of conditions, most often fibromyalgia (FMS), with consistently positive results; survey data pertain to some 12,000 patient experiences. Despite its popularity, no controlled trials of IVMT efficacy, and only one trial investigating the mechanism of action of the Myers’ Cocktail have been conducted.

The exact mechanism of action of IVMT is unknown apart from the effects of the individual constituents. Lonsdale, et al. examined the hypothesis that Myers’ Cocktail improves cellular energy and attempted to support this by measuring erythrocyte ADP/ATP ratios before and after treatment. The results, however, did not support this hypothesis.

Much of the benefit of Myers Cocktail in the treatment of FMS is believed to be derived from the magnesium content.

Magnesium administered intravenously has been shown to ameliorate pain in a number of conditions. Magnesium is important for over 300 different enzyme reactions, and in healthy states, magnesium levels are second only to potassium intracellularly. Magnesium has been found to be low in the serum and erythrocytes and high in the hair of FMS patients, suggesting some imbalance of magnesium regulation in this population.

Gaby hypothesizes that the reduced levels of intracellular magnesium found in FMS patients plays a role in the etiology, and in order to adequately replenish the cells with magnesium, it is necessary to attain extremely high levels in serum, possible only with IV administration. Reed found parenteral magnesium therapy to have a beneficial effect in treating two groups of patients; those with acute sprains, contusions, or soft tissue injuries, and those with chronic muscular complaints including myofascial pain, relapsing soft tissue injuries and fibromyalgia.

Migraine headache's appear to share some features with FMS such as irregularities of serotonin, the extensive dysregulation in pain modulation and generalized hyperalgesia.

Like FMS patients, migraine patients have been found to have reduced red and mononuclear blood cell magnesium levels.

Two double-blind studies have shown that chronic oral magnesium supplementation may reduce the frequency of migraine headaches and one pilot study demonstrated that IV magnesium can resolve an acute migraine. Magnesium concentration plays a role on the modulation of serotonin receptors, nitric oxide synthesis and release, and a variety of other neurotransmitters.

Although FMS is associated with serotonin irregularities, studies investigating the use of SSRIs have demonstrated limited effect.

Based on research to date, some conjecture can be made regarding the role of magnesium, however the possible role of the other constituents of the IVMT solution have not been investigated extensively. Nonetheless, vitamin B-12 injected intramuscularly has been used experimentally to treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a syndrome closely associated with FMS. In one un-blinded trial, 2,500–5,000 mg of vitamin B-12, given by injection every two to three days, led to improvement in 50–80% in a group of people with CFS, with most improvement appearing after several weeks. It is felt that oral or sublingual administration would not achieve the effects seen with injectable B-12.

IVMT Safety
IVMT is a safe treatment, as it is very simply the administration of vitamins and minerals using either standard IV infusion or bolus technique (syringe injection).

The potential for adverse reactions from IVMT lies mainly in the method of administration rather than the substance administered, i.e. any type of IV therapy holds some risk of local (hematoma, thrombosis, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, infiltration, extravastion, local infection, venous spasm) and/or systemic complications (septicemia, circulatory overload, pulmonary edema, air embolism, speed shock, catheter embolism).

These complications are rare, and are avoided by using proper technique and by screening patients for whom IV therapy is contraindicated.

There exist reports of allergic reaction to the thiamine (B-1) used in the solution, most often manifested as a hypersensitivity reaction.

Complications are best avoided by the pre-administration and observation of an intradermal injection of a small amount of thiamine. Otherwise, there are no known serious side effects of IVMT.

Providers of IVMT have not observed other known toxic effects of vitamin and mineral excess.

Legend: D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery) - May Specialize in OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy) or

Bio-Dynamic OMT (NeuroMusculo Skeletal Integration Therapy)

and/or Osteopathic Cranial Therapy and/or Ortho-Molecular Medicine or Meyer's Cocktail Treatments, and/or Mind-Body Medicine and/or ReHab/Sports Medicine and/or may be a Nutritional Medicine Specialist.

M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) - May specialize in Meyer's Cocktail Treatments, or Complimentary/Alternative Medicine (CAM), or

Nutritional Medicine Specialist.

MD's are not formally trained in OMT, NMS Integration Therapy,

or Osteopathic Cranial Therapy and must have completed basic and advanced formal classes, lectures, instruction and workshops

by a certifying AOA (American Osteopathic Association) organization.

Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease

2010-09-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

This is a must for me. It's so important in controlling inflammation of gut rot (Crohn's disease). There have been a few research studies that have proven the positive impact that Omega 3s (found in fish oils) have had on reducing inflammation/flare ups in those with Crohn's.

Choosing your Omega 3
It is best if you can find one from a fish source. However, given recent problem of mercury levels in cold water fish, it is key to find a supplement that is free of this. Check all labels- find those from the purest waters that state they are free from toxins and mercury. If you cannot find one, take a Flax Oil or Primrose Oil supplement. Again, I purchase from Ortho Molecular.

When to take your Omega 3
Follow the directions on the label. There are some that are burpie free and another trick is to keep them in your freezer. I don't know exactly what it does frozen but it works.

God Bless Lovies!

Iron Supplements and Crohn's Disease

2010-09-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, I don't take these because I am not deficient in them, but are also an important part of any natural regime.

It is common for those suffering from Crohn's or Colitis to also have anemia If you are anemic, you should take iron supplements. It is essential to take this with food, and helps to combine taking them with citrus type foods, such as berries or other foods high in vitamin C. This increases the absorption. However, do not take iron pills unless you have been told by a doctor that you are anemic and that you should do so. Taking too much iron (or taking iron when your body does not need it) can be toxic.

Choosing an Iron Supplement
Find one that is digestible, preferably liquid format. Floradix makes a great one. If you also need to have pills for transportability, stick to a pill in capsule format.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential in the healing of the gut and the control of free radicals in the body; (free radicals are thought by many to contribute to both the onset and severity of Crohn�s disease.) It helps to prevent inflammation and to boost immunity. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of many essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, and B vitamins.

Choosing your Vitamin C

Take a buffered type that is easiest on the digestive tract. Purchase a higher quality one so that absorption is best.

When to take your C vitamin
Follow directions for dose on the label. Take your C vitamin with food otherwise it will just excrete out in the urine. Consider taking it when you take your other vitamins so increase absorption. Spacing out the intake of your Vitamin C is most helpful, as too much at one time will not be absorbed.

Vitamin B12 and Crohn's Disease

2010-09-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

I get a vitamin B12 shot once a week on Friday along with my Myers Cocktail. To tell you the truth I am not sure if it gives me energy or not becuase after I leave, I feel so damn good!!

Given immune response and lack of absorption of vitamins in the digestive tract, many Crohnnies (is that how you spell it?) suffer from a deficiency in B vitamins and iron. Maintaining healthy levels of both of these can help to slow the overall malabsorption in the gut. B vitamins help to increase absorption of iron. Once a suffer becomes anemic, it can be harder to battle the spiral of the illness and flares as anemia can lower the body's ability to fight other ailments. B vitamins will make the suffer stronger and aid in overall healing of the body.

Choosing a B Vitamin
It is best to purchase a B vitamin that contains both B12 and folic acid. Given that B vitamins can be hard to digest and breakdown, it is essential to find one that has maximum digestibility. Sublingual forms tend to be the most absorbable; a good brand is by Source Naturals and is called Coenzymate B Complex. Or if any of you can get an injection from your doctor, that is what I currently do.

When to take your B complex
Take your B vitamins with food as directed on the label. Note, you may notice that your urine becomes much more yellow and a wee bit stinky. This is common as much of the vitamins are extreted in the urine. If you are also taking an iron supplement, take it when you take your B vitamin.

God Bless Lovelies!

Digestive Enzymes and Crohn's Disease

2010-09-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

Digestive Enzymes are not just for Crohn's suffers, it is for anyone who has a hard time digesting food, basically. Many times with my company consumers are switching from a certain brand of Protein Powder to ours. We always suggest taking a digestive enzyme first until your system gets use to the new protein, because we all know all Whey Protein is not the same. Also for vegetarians who do not usually consume dairy, it helps with the gut as well.

Given digestion is impaired with Crohn's disease, assisting with the breakdown of foods is essential - both for an increase in absorption of nutrients and to minimize the pain of undigested food passing through the lower parts of the gut. Finding and regularly taking a good digestive enzyme could be one of the most essential parts of maintaining more healthy digestion with Crohn's disease.

Choosing a digestive enzyme
There are many digestive enzymes on the market. Choosing the one that is right for you may take some trial and error because as I say over and over we are not the same. What works for me not work as well for you. Generally, Crohn's suffers need the stronger of the ones offered - or they need to increase the recommended dose in each serving. It helps to choose an enzyme that is in capsule rather than pill format. Capsules break down more easily and run less risk of passing through the gut undigested. Note, there are some that are better than others - so be prepared to try a few brands before finding one that you like. Some have found Twin Labs, Superzyme to be more effective than others. I personally again use Ortho Molecular products. I'm not sure if Solarray carries them but if you can stick with that company I would suggest it.

When to take your digestive enzymes
Take them with each meal. Follow as directed on the label and consider increasing the dose if you are in an acute state or a flare up. It might also make sense to take a smaller dose anytime you have a snack. It is best to take the enzymes immediately before eating your food; however, if you forget, it is still helpful to take them shortly after. Again, for me- personally I take them 3 times a day. 2 capsules in the am, lunch and pm.

God Bless~

Pro-Biotics and Crohn's Disease

2010-09-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

We hate it, we all do, and it's nothing that anyone can cure which in itself really sucks. I preach much about my regimen because I am trying so desperately to get the word out about a natural approach to Crohn's Disease. If you are new to the disease or a lifer, you will or should already know that all those heavy pharmaceutical drugs do is mask the symptoms of Crohn's Disease. These drugs are NOT healing the body. You may have an argument with me about that, but it is my opinion and the opinion of the doctors that treat me. As Crohn's suffers, we want help. We want a solution and want to be pain free and back to living a normal life. The drugs are only masking the pain instead of healing the body. Therefore, one day I woke up and listened to what I had already known. I've worked in the holistic health care field for over 20 years. I knew it but thought the gastro's knew what they are talking about and obviously knew more than I.

But each and every gastro I went to, gave me the same protocol: problem is we're not all the same! So, in saying that, I ventured out and found something that works for me. I get many questions as to what I am taking and how it all works together so I thought I'd do a few posts on the subject. Feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions.

Pro-Biotics
Probiotics are essentially microorganisms that add to the healthy fauna (bacteria) of the intestine. All digestive tracts are lined with bacteria that aid in the digestion of food. Their role is to keep the gut healthy and balanced by eliminating foods that are bad for the gut, such as rancid foods, and aiding in the digestion of other foods. These microorganisms tend to be out of balance in those with Inflammatory bowel disease. As a result the gut becomes an inhospitable place for the good bacteria to reside, and instead, the bad bacteria take over. This can lead to a yeast overgrowth, a condition known as Candidiasis. . This can not only impact digestion, but also influences the bodys function in other areas.

Choosing a probiotic
When choosing a probiotic, try to find one that does not contain dairy, given that dairy is known to upset the gut. Also try to find one that contains both the L. acidophilus and the L. bifidus organisms. There are many great brands, such as Kyodophilus. One particular one that has received much attention as of late is Probiotics by Garden of Life. I personally use Ortho Molecular and they can be found online.

When to take your probiotic

It is best to take the probiotics a few times a day, each time on an empty stomach if possible. Take with 8oz of water (room temperature water is better than cold water, if possible.) Start with taking one pill in the morning and then work your way up to 2-6 depending on brand and your current health situation. Currently I take 2 capsules, 3 times per day.

God Bless~

Natropath Dr. Lucy Rojo on Crohns Reversal

2010-08-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, yes, she is on key. Balancing the gut lining is so important. Digestive enzymes, pro-biotics, Aloe, Fish Oils, Glutamine--it's all necessary.

The Natural Solution: Weight Loss for the rest of us

2010-08-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Evening everyone. I've got good news, The Natural Solution's site is partially up. Well, mostly up just missing the pics but that's not a big deal. The site is geared to natural weight loss and wellness. Our main focus is the hCG and HGH products. Before you say anything, yes- the products are real. With a doctor, chemist and pharmacist on staff, they better be real. We also have the best blends of Acai products in both powder and capsule for those of your Acai Berry lovers.

Take a look at the site and please visit the blog. http://www.the-naturalsolution.com/. Leave us a comment and let us know if we are going in the right direction. We always listen to you, our customers and friends because your oppinion matters to us (me).

Hugs~

Where did I leave my brain?

2010-08-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Today someone (Holly) asked me what my goals and missions were. I looked at her probably with the oddest face I could muster up, glared at her for just a few seconds then turned and walked away from her and headed back into my office. As I sat in my big comfy "Crohn's" chair (soft for the tush) I couldn’t for the life of me answer her, because I forgot what they were. My goals? My mission? What's my stance? I can’t even remember the person I just had a 45 minute conversation with on the phone was, so who would expect me to remember my goals. Right? I have so much on my plate up top of not feeling well thanks to Mrs. Crohns that how was I to remember anything!

Ah, so wrong. Your goals, your mission, your motto, your life’s purpose, your drive, whatever you have named it…. should and foremost be somewhere visible to you 24 hours a day, even if you know it by heart, write it down post it, slap it and stick it on every surface you can find. Our goals give us something to look forward to , and without that- we someone remain monitored and in robot state. Because I didn't take my own advise this state of robotics is where I live right now. My marriage is crumbling, I'm almost to old to have a child, our businesses are out of control, the staff is out of control, three mortgage, personal health care and everything, is well just out of control.

So, as everyone goes to lunch I sit here in the office taking a breath (in the bathroom no less). This is where I find my quiet time, the potty. I realized that I am the leader of my ship and if my head isn't on straight, life become unmanageable. So, I slapped myself a few times and decided to wake up. I think the temporary sleep mode was my way of avoidance, and ladies, we're big girls! We can handle more in one day then most men can handle in a month. We are the survivors, we ROCK! Who fought the crowds and jeopardized their own lives to save Jesus??? WOMEN! That's who. So, when you are feeling a little down and almost to the point of tossing in the towel, just take a big girl breath and slap yourself. If you need help, call me and I'll slap you through the phone.

Recognize who you are and what you are made of. When you think you can't make it another day, say a prayer and press on. You'll see that you are stronger than you think you are, you are more capable then you give yourself credit for. You can do it and you alone. So, for you Holly (PITA), I say this to you. My business goals are as follows:

1. Help women be more in touch with their bodies and with who they are
2. Assist women in making truly informed choices about their health and well-being, supplementation speaking.
3. Educate as many women on natural approaches to weight loss and other natural solutions for other ailments.
4. Change our perspectives towards our self image, help women re-program their thinking to love the body they have now, the soul and heart that God gave them now….in the present.
5. Most importantly, let other women know they are loved by someone they have never met!

My passion for women's issues still remain strong. Many women of America do not understand their bodies very well at all. In fact, we don’t understand many of the health issues women face because our government decided some time ago that we should not be intelligently informed. Although, many of us see doctors and other health providers as the answers to all, it’s sad to say that they have not been intelligently informed either. With all due respect to the medical profession, doctors are not taught natural solutions in school. They are not taught about natural remedies, nutrition, herbs, stress management or relaxation techniques. Preventative maintenance- what’s that? 10 years ago, that word was shunned upon, especially through insurance health care providers. Anything that was coded for maintenance care was immediately DENIED! Sadly, all of these are critical for your best health, and the medical society should have been responsible for some of it.

My sister is a Chiropractor, and from the moment I began working for her I learned the importance of finding the cause not just medicating it. Getting to the root of the cause, finding answers to why we feel the way we do, why the body reacts in certain situations. Since working for her, I find that my mission, my goals are to help women find the cause, the root and go forward from there- not just slap a band aide on our injury or illness and hope for the best. Just like our Crohn's meds, they are just covering up the symptoms, how do we heal the cause. I don't want meds to just make me feel better, I want to heal myself.

Our perceptions and attitudes are crucial factors in any health condition and whether or not your experience will be positive or negative. My wish is that every woman and man come to a realization of their worth, develop new and healthy perceptions of yourself, your body, your health and your lifestyle because the most powerful experience is when you finally and truthfully reconnect to your innate spirit, and know that you are a unique and special ~ One of a Kind! Demand the best!

My own journey back to health!

2010-08-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

Because I do own and run a few companies I felt it necessary to keep the whole image thing going seeing that it is my industry. But the truth is, with the diagnosis of Crohns, the tumor and all of the stress that goes along with it- I've gained 72lbs. I put up pictures from last year in hopes that my figure will just "bounce back" and nobody will know that I've changed. But we all know the truth of that. I've been using Crohn's Disease as my crutch and I made a promise to myself that this is the day, the day it ends.

I want to post a pic of what I look like today, not last year. This is me, Crohn's and all. Although, I am feeling much better the weight is still lingering. Do I have it all figured out yet? Absolutely not, but I'm on my way to my own self discovery. Has it taken some time? Yep, it sure has and I won't stop. I'll support, try everything and research until a cure is found. So, for now--I'm ready to come out of the bathroom and get on with life.

I'd like to share my journey as well with you. My trials and tribulations- sort of speaking. I'll let you know what works for me, and what causes major flare ups. As I learn more and more with our personal MD and Pharmacist, I'll share with you and hope that you will do the same. When we get our new products developed and completed you will be the first to hear about it. Although, I understand there is no cure for Crohn's Disease to date, I've made it my personal passion and mission to make it simpler to live with.

And only because laughter is the best medicine....here is where you can find me on most days!

Thanks for being here with me and I look forward to becoming better friends!

RLS: Restless Leg Syndrome

2010-08-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Kim from Facebook asked me to explain why Restless Leg Syndrome was a part or symptom of Crohns. I have to admit, I've never heard of anyone complain of this symptom as it is associated with Crohns. But I could see where they would both be linked as they are both associated with iron deficiency. Sleep disorders and fatigue are common in Crohn’s disease but no one has previously examined the role of RLS. A present study that I stumbled upon demonstrated that RLS is common in patients with Crohn’s disease. I'm pretty versed with RLS because my husband sometimes get it with certain medications but have never linked it with Crohns.

What is Restless Leg?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome, is a condition that is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. It most commonly affects the legs, but can also affect the arms or torso, and even phantom limbs. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.

RLS causes a sensation in the legs or arms that can most closely be compared to a burning, itching, or tickling sensation in the muscles. Some controversy surrounds the marketing of drug treatments for RLS. It is a 'spectrum' disease with some people experiencing only a minor annoyance and others experiencing major issues.

RLS is either primary or secondary.

Primary RLS is considered idiopathic, or with no known cause. Primary RLS usually begins before approximately 40 to 45 years of age. In primary RLS, the onset is often slow. The RLS may disappear for months, or even years. It is often progressive and gets worse as the person ages. RLS in children is often misdiagnosed as growing pains.
Secondary RLS often has a sudden onset and may be daily from the very beginning. It often occurs after the age of 40, however it can occur earlier. It is most associated with specific medical conditions or the use of certain drugs

Underlying disorders

The most commonly associated medical condition is iron deficiency (specifically blood ferritin below 50 µg/L, which accounts for just over 20% of all cases of RLS. Other conditions associated with RLS include varicose vein or venous reflux, folate deficiency, magnesium deficiency, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, uremia, diabetes, thyroid disease, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease and certain auto-immune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. RLS can also worsen in pregnancy. In a recent study, RLS was detected in 36% of patients attending a phlebology (vein disease) clinic, compared to 18% in a control group.

According to Juillerat P, Mottet C, Pittet V, et al. Extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease, bacterial overgrowth as a co-factor for RLS in Crohn’s disease is a consideration to explain the association in light of recent reports of the association of RLS in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and three other gastrointestinal conditions that are associated with RLS which not infrequently have bacterial overgrowth. The inflammatory state from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (18) or from Crohn’s
disease could be related to RLS possibly by direct or indirect stimulation of hepcidin with subsequent decreased central nervous system iron transportation.

Flares and Irritations
When my hubs takes a med that flares RLS it's absolutely horrifying for him. He states "it's enough to drive your literally crazy". I thought at first he was acting, you know for a little sympathy. But as the days went on it became more apparently that it was so much more. He couldn't sit, stand, lay down, or find any position that alleviates the condition. Moving around or even bathroom jaunts were painful and uncomfortable. His legs would actually move up and down as if he were on a stationary bike, and for me it seemed so irritating, but for him it was severe pain.

Treatment
We discovered that there are many variations of the condition as and much controversy about the diagnosis. When you google some meds, they will list this symptom as a side effect-so start there. Although, we diagnosed it our self pretty easily, the hubs just stopped taking the meds and switched to a different formula. There are medications for the symptom itself called; gabapentin and opioids can be used for treatment of resistant cases

Upon some googleness, research suggests that some try techniques as simple as hypnosis. Sounds really strange, I agree with you there. According to studies, the brain plays tricks: the uncontrollable and erratic movement was that the movement was the brain's inappropriate over activity owing to the medication that the hubs was taking. His overactive mind was trying to accomplish things and solve problems and wouldn't let his body rest. Studies find that an approach was to persuade overactive minds that the body needed rest. Studies state that by turning the relaxation into an active task that fully absorbed the unconscious mind, it would allowed itself to switch off the need to fidget and eventually relax.

Diagnosis
If one of your meds is causing this reaction, try this technique and see if it works for you. It did not work for the hubby, but he lacks patience anyway. If the symptoms of RLS is just to overwhelming for you, call your doctor and ask them rely on a good medical history and examination to prescribe you another type or brand.

Prevention

Other than preventing the underlying causes, no method of preventing restless legs has been established or studied.

Just for a little Laugh...

2010-08-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

My Blog is WYSIWYG

2010-08-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

This blog is very personal and comes from the heart of a real fighting Crohn's patient who wishes nothing more than to fight this damn disease and life a life with abundance and not have to hide while everyone else experiences life. While sometimes I might be on heavy high of life free from symptoms, occasionally I may be sick as hell. I might write about things, not liking my husband or subjects that one may never even think about or consider; so please consider that as well. Yes; whacked out things might even be found here; but I mean everything in all good intentions.

This blog is not at all intended for the faint hearted, those who lack a sense of humor, have no idea what down to earth means, haters, skeptics, and/or those who don't know to easily put themselves into the shoes of others. This blog is mostly about my journey of living my life in the best ways that I can with God's grace and the never ending patience from my doctors! Never take anything in this world for granted; especially family and friends!

Have a great weekend to all of you. If you ever need to just vent, I'm here for you!

Colonics: Are they for you?

2010-08-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

Colonics or colon hydrotherapy uses warmed water to gently cleanse the large intestine or colon. This is a very relaxing and effective treatment that cleanses the body of toxins that build up in the colon. When these toxins can no longer be effectively eliminated through daily bowel movements, they can cause "autointoxication" (the poisoning of one's own system through retained toxins). The result is a wide variety of symptoms which include:

Aching Joints
Menstrual cramps
Fatigue
Allergies
Bad Breath
Asthma
Headaches
Poor concentration
Mood swings
Skin problems (acne, psoriasis)
Other seemingly unrelated concerns

While colonics themselves are not a cure for any disease, they can aid the body's natural ability to heal itself by temporarily removing the overload caused by the toxins on the body's systems.

How can colonics help increase my overall wellness?

Although most people feel relief after their first treatment, it takes a series of at least three to begin cleansing and restoring the condition of the individual. Effects on the body can be:

Removal of putrified material, impacted fecal matter and mucus
Increased body hydration
Removal of parasites
Restoration of the healthy shape of the colon
Restoration of skin beauty and health via increased circulation
Increased clarity of mind and enhanced sense of energy

Concerns
This is a gravity flow colonic system that prevents over-pressurization of the colon. They use disposable speculums and tubing to ensure personal sanitation and to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination between patients. Further, gentle vacuum suction helps remove waste and eliminates odor.The colonic is administered in a private room as you lie comfortably on your side or back while covered with clean sheets at all times. Your job is to relax and remember to breathe.

Colonics are not painful; any discomfort experienced is usually the colon contracting and is temporary. Further, the contractions are often a healthy response to the need to eliminate fecal material. Additionally, with colonics muscles are 'exercised' and normal bowel function is stimulated between treatments.

Some people complain of a slightly 'toxic' feeling after their first treatment. This is most likely due to the toxins that get stirred up and reabsorbed into the bloodstream. They recommend several glasses of water throughout the day after each treatment to minimize this potential effect. Generally, after the first visit people report feeling much better after their colonics.

After your colonic, it's best to use your natural supplementation. If you aren't on any probiotics are healthy gut bacteria that have the effect of repopulating and balancing the microenvironment of the colon once cleansing is completed. Quality essential fatty acids high in Omega 3 and tested for heavy metals help reduce inflammation in the body and help normalize blood fats. Bioflavonoids are antioxidants that reduce damage to tissue from ever-present free radicals. We also supply Isotonix powder vitamins for maximal absorption and easy ingestion, especially for kids and older patients.

Is a colonic for you? Why not give it a try and find out how it makes you feel. Would love to hear back from you and get your comments so we can all learn from your experience.

God Bless~

Myers Cocktail: IV Vitamin Infusions

2010-08-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

I've said it thousands of times. The Myers Cocktail- IV infusions have made my life truly manageable. At first like you, I was highly skeptical. Now, I can't live without it. Here is a little breakdown about what IV infusions do. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Intravenous (IV) therapy, such as the Myers Cocktail, is a way to introduce nutrients and therapeutic agents directly into the bloodstream. It can be used to correct deficiencies, enhance immune function, increase energy and assist in maintaining health. The benefit of IV therapy over oral nutrition is that nutrients bypass the digestive system, are infused in high concentrations and optimally nourish the body's cells and tissues. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other natural agents can be administered in a pleasant relaxing atmosphere while a person reads, listens to music, or rests.

IV therapy is often used to support a person with chronic or severe illness, those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments as well as those with chronic fatigue. The Myers Cocktail is pertinent to those with digestive disorders or those simply wishing to enhance their energy levels.

Depending on the physician administering the IV, they will either use a syringe push or larger IV drips (plastic or bag). My MD uses the syringe push. It doesn't hurt and I'm done literally in 5 minutes. The only thing I feel during the treatment is a little funky heat in my pelvic area, which isn't so bad (wink)...actually makes me laugh when it happens. :o)

If anyone is considering the IV treatment, I'm here for you and can answer most of your questions. Please check into it today, your body will thank you.

God Bless~

What is Acai Berry and can I take it if I have Crohns Disease?

2010-08-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

The answer is Yes. Acai berry may be helpful in treating the symptoms associated with Crohn's disease. Acai berry works as an anti-inflammatory, which gives relief to some people suffering from Crohn's disease. At this time there are few resources on acai berry and Crohn's disease that meet our quality standards.

Acai berries are the latest supplement to enter the the health category as a super food. Pronounced ah-saw-he theses amazing little acai berries looks much like blueberries and is harvested from the palm tree which grows in the swampy areas of the Brazilian Amazon Rain forest. The natives have used this as a staple for their diet for thousands of years. It is used in popular juice beverages in Brazil and when added to other juices or yogurt takes on the flavor of blueberries with a touch of chocolate.

What makes acai fruit so special as a supplement?

- Loaded with more than 10X the antioxidants of red grapes

- Loaded with more than 10 to30 X the anthocyanins or red wine

Both antioxidants and anthocyanins are said to help with premature aging. Other amazing properties of acai.

- Loaded with protein and fiber to help with increased energy and digestive health

- Highest ORAC value of any know berry including pomegranates or blueberries

- Contains phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular health

- Rich in monounsaturated oleic acid which keeps cell membranes supple by making omega-3 fish oils more easy to absorb.

Some of the health properties of acai are, weight loss, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immune system. It has been mentioned elsewhere that people are even using acai for the following conditions, heart disease, Crohn's, inflammation, high cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, eczema and other related conditions.

People who can benefit from acai berry supplements or powder are athletes and the health conscious or people dealing with various illnesses. Even gourmet chefs are starting to find ways to implement its unique flavor into recipes or main dishes and deserts. Due to its recent popularity globally there has been a recent shortage of this amazing product so it may be a little hard to obtain in your local health food store. It is a discovery that is truly unique and worth trying.

Here's is a short video on Acai Berry.

Chronic Diseases: Who's Killing Us?

2010-08-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

Our treatment regimen, is it just a quick fix?

Yoga can help inflammation

2010-08-02T16:30:00.001-07:00

Meditation: Take a stress-reduction break wherever you are

2010-08-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

According to the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, meditation can wipe away the day's stress, bringing with it inner peace. See how you can easily learn to practice meditation whenever you need it most.

If stress has you anxious, tense and worried, consider trying meditation. Spending even just a few minutes in meditation can restore calm and inner peace.

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Meditation originally was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. These days, meditation is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction. Anyone can practice meditation. It's simple and inexpensive, and it doesn't require any special equipment. And you can practice meditation wherever you are — whether you're out for a walk, riding the bus, waiting at the doctor's office or even in the middle of a difficult business meeting.

Understanding meditation

Meditation, considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine, produces a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process results in enhanced physical and emotional well-being.

Benefits of meditation

Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. And these benefits don't end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and improve certain medical conditions.

Meditation and emotional well-being

When you meditate, you clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.

The emotional benefits of meditation include:

■Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations

■Building skills to manage your stress

■Increased self-awareness

■Focusing on the present

■Reducing negative emotions

Meditation and illness

Many healthy people use meditation as a way to relax the body and reduce stress. But meditation also might be useful if you have a medical condition, especially one that may be worsened by stress.

A growing body of scientific research is supporting the health benefits of meditation. But many of the studies aren't of high quality, and some researchers believe it's not yet possible to draw conclusions about the possible benefits of meditation.

With that in mind, some research suggests that meditation may help such conditions as:

■Allergies

■Anxiety disorders

■Asthma

■Binge eating

■Cancer

■Depression

■Fatigue

■Heart disease

■High blood pressure

■Pain

■Sleep problems

■Substance abuse

Be sure to talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of using meditation if you have any of these or other medical conditions. Meditation isn't a replacement for traditional medical treatment. But it can be useful in addition to your other treatment.

Types of meditation

There are many types of meditation and relaxation techniques with meditation components. But all share the same goal of inner peace.

Ways to meditate can include:

■Guided meditation. Sometimes called guided imagery or visualization, with this method of meditation you form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing. You try to use as many senses as possible, such as smells, sights, sounds and textures. You may be led through this process by a guide or teacher.

■Mantra meditation. In this type of meditation, you silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts. Transcendental meditation is a type of mantra meditation in which you achieve a deep state of relaxation to achieve pure awareness.

■Mindfulness meditation. This type of meditation is based on being mindful, or having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment. You focus on what you experience during meditation, such as the flow of your breath. You can observe your thoughts and emotions but let them pass without judgment.

■Qi gong. This practice generally combines meditation, relaxation, physical movement and breathing exercises to restore and maintain balance. Qi gong (chee-kung) is part of traditional Chinese medicine.

■Tai chi. This is a form of gentle Chinese martial arts. In tai chi (TIE-chee), you perform a self-paced series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner while practicing deep breathing.

■Yoga. You perform a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind. As you move through poses that require balance and concentration, you're encouraged to focus less on your busy day and more on the moment.

Elements of meditation

Different types of meditation may include different features to help you meditate. These may vary depending on whose guidance you follow or who's teaching a class. Some of the most common features in meditation include:

■Focusing your attention. Focusing your attention is generally one of the most important elements of meditation. Focusing your attention is what helps free your mind from the many distractions that cause stress and worry. You can focus your attention on such things as a specific object, an image, a mantra, or even your breathing. Don't fret when your mind wanders. Just return to your focus of attention.

■Relaxed breathing. This technique involves deep, even-paced breathing using the diaphragm muscle to expand your lungs. The purpose is to slow your breathing, take in more oxygen, and reduce the use of shoulder, neck and upper chest muscles while breathing so that you breathe more efficiently.

■A quiet location. If you're a beginner, practicing meditation may be easier if you're in a quiet spot with few distractions — no television, radios or cell phones. As you get more skilled at meditation, you may be able to do it anywhere, especially in high-stress situations where you benefit the most from meditation, such as a traffic jam, a stressful work meeting or a long line at the grocery store.

■A comfortable position. You can practice meditation whether you're sitting, lying down, walking or in other positions or activities. Just try to be comfortable so that you can get the most out of your meditation.

Everyday ways to practice meditation

Don't let the thought of meditating the "right" way add to your stress. Sure, you can attend special meditation centers or group classes led by trained instructors. But you also can practice meditation easily on your own.

And you can make meditation as formal or informal as you like — whatever suits your lifestyle and situation. Some people build meditation into their daily routine. For example, they may start and end each day with an hour of meditation. But all you really need is a few minutes of quality time for meditation.

Tips to practice meditation on your own

Here are some ways you can practice meditation on your own, whenever you choose. Take a few minutes or as much time as you like to practice one or more of these meditation methods:

■Breathe deeply. This technique is good for beginners because breathing is a natural function. Focus all attention on your breathing. Concentrate on feeling and listening as you inhale and exhale through your nostrils. Breathe deeply and slowly. When your attention wanders, gently return your focus to your breathing.

■Scan your body. When using this technique, focus attention on different parts of your body. Become aware of your body's various sensations, whether that's pain, tension, warmth or relaxation. Combine body scanning with breathing exercises and imagine breathing heat or relaxation into and out of different parts of your body.

■Repeat a mantra. You can create your own mantra, whether it's religious or secular. Examples of religious mantras include the Jesus Prayer in the Christian tradition, the holy name of God in Judaism, or the om mantra of Hinduism, Buddhism and other Eastern religions.

■Walking meditation. Combining a walk with meditation is an efficient and healthy way to relax. You can use this technique anywhere you're walking — in a tranquil forest, on a city sidewalk or at the mall. When you use this method, slow down the pace of walking so that you can focus on each movement of your legs or feet. Don't focus on a particular destination. Concentrate on your legs and feet, repeating action words in your mind such as lifting, moving and placing as you lift each foot, move your leg forward and place your foot on the ground.

■Engage in prayer. Prayer is the best known and most widely practiced example of meditation. Spoken and written prayers are found in most faith traditions. You can pray using your own words or read prayers written by others. Check the self-help or 12-step-recovery section of your local bookstore for examples. Talk with your rabbi, priest, pastor or other spiritual leader about resources.

■Read or listen and take time to reflect. Many people report that they benefit from reading poems or sacred texts silently or aloud, and taking a few moments to quietly reflect on the meaning that the words bring to mind. You can listen to sacred music, spoken words or any music you find relaxing or inspiring. You may want to write your reflections in a journal or discuss them with a friend or spiritual leader.

■Focus your love and gratitude. In this type of meditation, you focus your attention on a sacred object or being, weaving feelings of love and gratitude into your thoughts. You can also close your eyes and use your imagination or gaze at representations of the object.

Building your meditation skills

Don't judge your meditation skills, which may only increase your stress. Meditation takes practice. Keep in mind, for instance, that it's common for your mind to wander during meditation, no matter how long you've been practicing meditation. If you're meditating to calm your mind and your attention wanders, slowly return to the object, sensation or movement you're focusing on.

Experiment, and you'll likely find out what types of meditation work best for you and what you enjoy doing. Adapt meditation to your needs at the moment. Remember, there's no right way or wrong way to meditate. What matters is that meditation helps you with stress reduction and feeling better overall.

What is a Colectomy?

2010-08-02T16:23:00.000-07:00

Colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of your colon. Your colon, also called your large intestine, is a long tube-like organ at the end of your digestive system. Colectomy may be necessary to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect your colon.

There are various types of colectomy operations. Colectomy that involves removing the entire colon is called total colectomy. Colectomy to remove part of the colon may be called subtotal colectomy or partial colectomy. Removing the right or left portion of the colon is called hemicolectomy. Surgery to remove both the colon and rectum is called proctocolectomy.

Colectomy surgery usually requires other procedures to reattach the remaining portions of your digestive system and permit waste to leave your body.

What is a Colonoscopy?

2010-08-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Oh, now these are my favorite. When I first diagnosed I have one every 3 months for 2 years. I can't tell you how much these little tests SUCK! A colonoscopy is an exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Colonoscopy is generally considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening.

During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon. If necessary, polyps or other types of abnormal tissue can be removed through the scope during a colonoscopy. Tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during a colonoscopy as well.

What is a Fecal Occult Blood Test?

2010-08-02T16:20:00.002-07:00

The fecal occult blood test — also known as FOBT — is a lab test used to check stool samples for hidden (occult) blood.

Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum — though not all cancers or polyps bleed. Typically, occult blood is passed in such small amounts that it can be detected only through the chemicals used in a fecal occult blood test.

If blood is detected through a fecal occult blood test, additional tests may be needed to determine the source of the bleeding. The fecal occult blood test can only detect the presence or absence of blood. The fecal occult blood test doesn't indicate potential sources of bleeding.

What is a Barium Enema?

2010-08-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

A barium enema is a special X-ray used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon). There are two types of barium enema exams:

■Single-column barium enema. A single-column barium enema begins by coating the inner surface of the colon with a solution containing the metallic compound barium. This allows the doctor to see a clear silhouette of the shape and condition of your colon.

■Air-contrast (double-contrast) barium enema. During an air-contrast barium enema, air is inserted into your colon after the barium coating is in place. The air expands the colon and improves the quality of the X-ray images.

A barium enema exam doesn't require sedation. However, preparing for a barium enema — emptying the colon with laxatives or enemas or both — can be unpleasant. If any growths (polyps) are detected during a barium enema, a follow-up colonoscopy may be needed.

What is a Capsule Endoscopy?

2010-08-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. A capsule endoscopy camera sits inside a vitamin-sized capsule that you swallow. As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.

Capsule endoscopy helps doctors see inside your small intestine — an area that isn't easily reached with more-traditional endoscopy procedures. Traditional endoscopy involves passing a long, flexible tube equipped with a video camera down your throat or through your rectum. Capsule endoscopy is usually initiated in your doctor's office.

Capsule endoscopy is sometimes referred to as capsule enteroscopy or small bowel endoscopy.

Ugh...Diarrhea

2010-08-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

We all have it and hate it. Diarrhea describes loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than usual. Diarrhea is something everyone experiences. Diarrhea often means more frequent trips to the toilet and a greater volume of stool.

In most cases, diarrhea signs and symptoms usually last a couple of days. But sometimes diarrhea can last for weeks. In these situations, diarrhea can be a sign of a serious disorder, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or a less serious condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Diarrhea may cause a loss of significant amounts of water and salts. Most cases of diarrhea go away without treatment. But see your doctor if diarrhea persists, if you become dehydrated or if you pass blood in your stool.

Alternative Crohn's Medicine

2010-08-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Many people with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis have used some form of complementary or alternative therapy. Some commonly used therapies include:

■Herbal and nutritional supplements

■Probiotics

■Fish oil

■Acupuncture

Side effects and ineffectiveness of conventional therapies are primary reasons for seeking alternative care.

Studies done on fish oil and on probiotics for the treatment of Crohn's haven't found benefit. But what is more important is how you-yourself feel from alternative medicine. I know personally, that has changed the course of my Crohn's disease. As long as you are under doctors care and are being monitored I believe that more of us to take the step to alternative care. Everyone has their own opinion on this subject but as they say proof is in the pudding! Try it, go ahead. Give it 2 weeks. If you don't feel 80% better I'd like to hear from you.

Unlike probiotics — which are beneficial live bacteria that you consume — prebiotics are natural compounds found in plants, such as artichokes, that help fuel beneficial intestinal bacteria. An initial study on prebiotics had promising results. More studies are under way.

Lifestyle and home remedies for Crohn's Disease

2010-08-02T16:09:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you may feel helpless when facing Crohn's disease. But changes in your diet and lifestyle may help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.

Diet

There's no firm evidence that what you eat actually causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your signs and symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. If you think there are foods that make your condition worse, try keeping a food diary to keep track of what you're eating as well as how you feel. If you discover certain foods are causing your symptoms to flare, it's a good idea to try eliminating those foods. Here are some suggestions that may help:

■Limit dairy products. Like many people with inflammatory bowel disease, you may find that problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas, improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can't digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, limiting dairy or using an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, will help break down lactose.

■Try low-fat foods. If you have Crohn's disease of the small intestine, you may not be able to digest or absorb fat normally. Instead, fat passes through your intestine, making your diarrhea worse. Foods that may be especially troublesome include butter, margarine, cream sauces and fried foods.

■Experiment with fiber. For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them. You may also find that you can tolerate some fruits and vegetables, but not others. In general, you may have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and nuts, seeds, corn and popcorn. Consult your doctor prior to starting a high-fiber diet.

■Avoid problem foods. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your signs and symptoms worse. These may include "gassy" foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits — especially citrus fruits, spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and soda.

■Eat small meals. You may find you feel better eating five or six small meals a day rather than two or three larger ones.

■Drink plenty of liquids. Try to drink plenty of fluids daily. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, while carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.

■Consider multivitamins. Because Crohn's disease can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients and because your diet may be limited, multivitamin and mineral supplements are often helpful. Check with your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.

■Talk to a dietitian. If you begin to lose weight or your diet has become very limited, talk to a registered dietitian.

Stress

Although stress doesn't cause Crohn's disease, it can make your signs and symptoms much worse and may trigger flare-ups. Stressful events can range from minor annoyances to a move, job loss or the death of a loved one.

When you're stressed, your normal digestive process changes. Your stomach empties more slowly and secretes more acid. Stress can also speed or slow the passage of intestinal contents. It may also cause changes in intestinal tissue itself.

Although it's not always possible to avoid stress, you can learn ways to help manage it. Some of these include:

■Exercise. Even mild exercise can help reduce stress, relieve depression and normalize bowel function. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that's right for you.

■Biofeedback. This stress-reduction technique may help you reduce muscle tension and slow your heart rate with the help of a feedback machine. You're then taught how to produce these changes without feedback from the machine. The goal is to help you enter a relaxed state so that you can cope more easily with stress. Biofeedback is usually taught in hospitals and medical centers.

■Regular relaxation and breathing exercises. One way to cope with stress is to regularly relax. You can take classes in yoga and meditation or use books, CDs or DVDs at home.

Treatments and Drugs of Crohn's Disease

2010-08-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

The goal of medical treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers your signs and symptoms. In the best cases, this may lead not only to symptom relief but also to long-term remission. Treatment for Crohn's disease usually involves drug therapy or, in certain cases, surgery.

Doctors use several categories of drugs that control inflammation in different ways. But drugs that work well for some people may not work for others, so it may take time to find a medication that helps you. In addition, because some drugs have serious side effects, you'll need to weigh the benefits and risks of any treatment.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first step in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. They include:

■Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Although this drug isn't always effective for treating Crohn's disease, it may be of some help for treating disease involving the colon. It has a number of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, heartburn and headache. Don't take this medication if you're allergic to sulfa medications.

■Mesalamine (Asacol, Rowasa). This medication tends to have fewer side effects than sulfasalazine has, but may cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea and headache. You take it in tablet form or use it rectally in the form of an enema or suppository, depending on which part of your colon is affected. This medication is generally ineffective for disease involving the small intestine.

■Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation anywhere in your body, but they have numerous side effects, including a puffy face, excessive facial hair, night sweats, insomnia and hyperactivity. More serious side effects include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, bone fractures, cataracts and an increased susceptibility to infections. Long-term use of corticosteroids in children can lead to stunted growth.

Also, these medications don't work for everyone with Crohn's disease. Doctors generally use corticosteroids only if you have moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease that doesn't respond to other treatments. A newer type of corticosteroid, budesonide (Entocort EC), works faster than do traditional steroids and appears to produce fewer side effects. Entocort EC is effective only in Crohn's disease that involves the lower small intestine and the first part of the large intestine .

Corticosteroids aren't for long-term use. But, they can be used for short-term (three to four months) symptom improvement and to induce remission. Corticosteroids also may be used with an immune system suppressor — the corticosteroids can induce remission, while the immune system suppressors can help maintain remission.

Occasionally your doctor may prescribe rectal steroids if you have disease in your lower colon or rectum. These also are only for short-term use.

Immune system suppressors

These drugs also reduce inflammation, but they target your immune system rather than directly treating inflammation. By suppressing the immune response, inflammation is also reduced. Immunosuppressant drugs include:

■Azathioprine (Imuran) and mercaptopurine (Purinethol). These are the most widely used immunosuppressants for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Although it can take two to four months for these medications to begin to work, they help reduce signs and symptoms of IBD in general and can heal fistulas from Crohn's disease in particular. If you're taking either of these medications, you'll need to follow up closely with your doctor and have your blood checked regularly to look for side effects.

■Infliximab (Remicade). This drug is for adults and children with moderate to severe Crohn's disease who don't respond to or can't tolerate other treatments. It works by neutralizing a protein produced by your immune system known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Infliximab finds TNF in your bloodstream and removes it before it causes inflammation in your intestinal tract.

Some people with heart failure, people with multiple sclerosis, and those with cancer or a history of cancer can't take infliximab or the other members of this class (adalimumab and certolizumab pegol). Talk to your doctor about the potential risks of taking infliximab. Tuberculosis and other serious infections have been associated with the use of these drugs. If you have an active infection, don't take these medications. You should have a skin test for tuberculosis before taking infliximab and a chest X-ray if you lived or traveled extensively in areas where tuberculosis has been found. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that children and adolescents taking infliximab and other TNF inhibitors have an increased risk of cancer.

■Adalimumab (Humira). Adalimumab works similarly to infliximab by blocking TNF for people with moderate to severe Crohn's disease. It's prescribed for people who haven't been helped by infliximab or other treatments. Adalimumab is given as an injection under the skin every other week, which you may be able to administer yourself. Adalimumab may reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and may cause remission.

However, adalimumab, like infliximab, carries a small risk of infections, including tuberculosis and serious fungal infections. Your doctor will administer a skin test for tuberculosis before you begin adalimumab treatment. The most common side effects of adalimumab are skin irritation and pain at the injection site, nausea, runny nose and upper respiratory infection.

■Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia). Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Crohn's disease, certolizumab pegol works by inhibiting TNF. Certolizumab pegol is prescribed for people with moderate to severe Crohn's who haven't been helped by other treatments. You initially receive certolizumab pegol as one injection every two weeks. After a few injections, if your doctor determines it's working for you, you receive one injection a month. Common side effects include headache, upper respiratory infections, abdominal pain, nausea and reactions at the injection site. Like other medications that inhibit TNF, because this drug affects your immune system, you're also at risk of becoming seriously ill with certain infections, such as tuberculosis.

■Methotrexate (Rheumatrex). This drug, which is used to treat cancer, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, is sometimes used for people with Crohn's disease who don't respond well to other medications. It starts working in about eight weeks or more. Short-term side effects include nausea, fatigue and diarrhea, and rarely, it can cause potentially life-threatening pneumonia. Long-term use can lead to scarring of the liver and sometimes to cancer. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking methotrexate. If you're taking this medication, follow up closely with your doctor and have your blood checked regularly to look for side effects.

■Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune). This potent drug, often used to help heal Crohn's-related fistulas, is normally reserved for people who don't respond well to other medications. Although effective, cyclosporine has the potential for serious side effects, such as kidney and liver damage, high blood pressure, seizures, fatal infections and an increased risk of lymphoma.

■Natalizumab (Tysabri). This drug works by inhibiting certain immune cell molecules — integrins — from binding to other cells in your intestinal lining. Blocking these molecules is thought to reduce chronic inflammation that occurs when they bind to your intestinal cells. Natalizumab is approved for people with moderate to severe Crohn's disease with evidence of inflammation and who aren't responding well to other conventional Crohn's disease therapies. Because the drug is associated with a rare, but serious, risk of multifocal leukoencephalopathy — a brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability — you must be enrolled in a special restricted distribution program to use it. This program is called the Crohn's Disease-Tysabri Outreach Unified Commitment to Health (CD-TOUCH) Prescribing Program.

New medications are in development and in clinical trial. If your Crohn's disease isn't well controlled with current medications, ask your doctor if there are clinical trials available to you.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics can heal fistulas and abscesses in people with Crohn's disease. Researchers also believe antibiotics help reduce harmful intestinal bacteria and suppress the intestine's immune system, which can trigger symptoms. Frequently prescribed antibiotics include:

■Metronidazole (Flagyl). Once the most commonly used antibiotic for Crohn's disease, metronidazole can sometimes cause serious side effects, including numbness and tingling in your hands and feet and, occasionally, muscle pain or weakness. If these effects occur, stop the medication and call your doctor. Other side effects include nausea, a metallic taste in your mouth, headache and loss of appetite. You should avoid alcohol while taking this medication.

■Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). This drug, which improves symptoms in some people with Crohn's disease, is now generally preferred to metronidazole. Ciprofloxacin may cause nausea, vomiting, headache and, rarely, tendon problems.

Other medications

In addition to controlling inflammation, some medications may help relieve your signs and symptoms. Depending on the severity of your Crohn's disease, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following:

■Anti-diarrheals. A fiber supplement, such as psyllium powder (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel), can help relieve mild to moderate diarrhea by adding bulk to your stool. For more severe diarrhea, loperamide (Imodium) may be effective. Use anti-diarrheals with caution and only after consulting your doctor, because they increase the risk of toxic megacolon, a life-threatening inflammation of your colon.

■Laxatives. In some cases, swelling may cause your intestines to narrow, leading to constipation. Talk to your doctor before taking any laxatives, because even those sold over-the-counter may be too harsh for your system.

■Pain relievers. For mild pain, your doctor may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve). These are likely to make your symptoms worse.

■Iron supplements. If you have chronic intestinal bleeding, you may develop iron deficiency anemia. Taking iron supplements may help restore your iron levels to normal and reduce this type of anemia once your bleeding has stopped or diminished.

■Nutrition. Your doctor may recommend a special diet given via a feeding tube (enteral nutrition) or nutrients injected into a vein (parenteral nutrition) to treat your Crohn's disease. This can improve your overall nutrition and allow the bowel to rest. Bowel rest can reduce inflammation in the short term. However, once regular feeding is restarted, your signs and symptoms may return. Your doctor may use nutrition therapy short term and combine it with other medications, such as immune system suppressors. Enteral and parenteral nutrition are typically used to get people healthier for surgery or when other medications fail to control symptoms.

■Vitamin B-12 shots. Vitamin B-12 helps prevent anemia, promotes normal growth and development, and is essential for proper nerve function. It's absorbed in the terminal ileum, a part of the small intestine often affected by Crohn's disease. If inflammation of your terminal ileum is interfering with your ability to absorb this vitamin, you may need monthly B-12 shots for life. You'll also need lifelong B-12 injections if your terminal ileum has been removed during surgery.

■Calcium and vitamin D supplements. Most people with Crohn's disease need to take a calcium supplement with added vitamin D. This is because Crohn's disease and steroids used to treat it can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Ask your doctor if a calcium supplement is right for you.

Surgery

If diet and lifestyle changes, drug therapy or other treatments don't relieve your signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove a damaged portion of your digestive tract or to close fistulas or remove scar tissue.

In Crohn's disease, surgery can provide years of remission at best. At the least, it may provide a temporary improvement in your signs and symptoms. During surgery, your surgeon removes a damaged portion of your digestive tract and then reconnects the healthy sections. In addition, surgery may also be used to close fistulas and drain abscesses. A common procedure for Crohn's is strictureplasty, a procedure that widens a segment of the intestine that has become too narrow.

Even so, the benefits of surgery for Crohn's are only temporary. The disease often recurs, frequently near the reconnected tissue or elsewhere in the digestive tract. Nearly 3 of 4 people with Crohn's disease eventually need some type of surgery. Of those, as many as half will need a second procedure, or more. The best approach is to follow surgery with medication to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Crohn's Tests ad Dianosis

2010-08-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Your doctor will likely diagnose Crohn's disease only after ruling out other possible causes for your signs and symptoms, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis and colon cancer. To help confirm a diagnosis of Crohn's disease, you may have one or more of the following tests and procedures:

■Blood tests. Your doctor may suggest blood tests to check for anemia — a condition in which there aren't enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues — or to check for signs of infection. Two tests that look for the presence of certain antibodies can sometimes help diagnose which type of inflammatory bowel disease you have, but not everyone with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis has these antibodies. While your doctor may order these tests, a positive finding doesn't mean you have Crohn's disease and a negative finding doesn't mean that you're free of the disease.

■Fecal occult blood test (FOBT). You may need to provide a stool sample so that your doctor can test for blood in your stool.

■Colonoscopy. This test allows your doctor to view your entire colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube with an attached camera. During the procedure, your doctor can also take small samples of tissue (biopsy) for laboratory analysis, which may help confirm a diagnosis. Some people have clusters of inflammatory cells called granulomas, which help confirm the diagnosis of Crohn's disease because granulomas don't occur with ulcerative colitis. In the majority of people with Crohn's, granulomas aren't present and diagnosis is made through biopsy and the location of the disease. Risks of colonoscopy include perforation of the colon wall and bleeding.

■Flexible sigmoidoscopy. In this procedure, your doctor uses a slender, flexible, lighted tube to examine the sigmoid, the last section of your colon.

■Barium enema. This diagnostic test allows your doctor to evaluate your large intestine with an X-ray. Before the test, your receive an enema with a contrast dye containing barium. Sometimes, air also is added. The barium dye coats the lining of the bowel, creating a silhouette of your rectum, colon and a portion of your small intestine that's visible on an X-ray.

■Small bowel imaging. This test looks at the part of the small bowel that can't be seen by colonoscopy. After you drink a solution containing barium, X-ray, CT or MRI images are taken of your small intestine. The test can help locate areas of narrowing or inflammation in the small bowel that are seen in Crohn's disease. The test can also help your doctor determine which type of inflammatory bowel disease you have.

■Computerized tomography (CT). Sometimes you may have a CT scan, a special X-ray technique that provides more detail than a standard X-ray does. This test looks at the entire bowel as well as at tissues outside the bowel that can't be seen with other tests. Your doctor may order this scan to better understand the location and extent of your disease or to check for complications such as a partial blockages, abscesses or fistulas. Although not invasive, a CT scan exposes you to more radiation than a conventional X-ray does.

■Capsule endoscopy. If you have signs and symptoms that suggest Crohn's disease but other diagnostic tests are negative, your doctor may perform capsule endoscopy. For this test you swallow a capsule that has a camera in it. The camera takes pictures, which are transmitted to a computer that you wear on your belt. The images are then downloaded, displayed on a monitor and checked for signs of Crohn's disease. Once it's made the trip through your digestive system, the camera exits your body painlessly in your stool. Capsule endoscopy is generally very safe, but if you have a partial blockage in the bowel, there's a slight chance the capsule may become lodged in your intestine.

Preparing for your first Crohn's Appointment

2010-08-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of Crohn's disease may first prompt a visit to your family doctor or general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).

Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do:
■Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.

■Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

■Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

■Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.

■Ask a family member or friend to come with you to your appointment, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

■Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your visit. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For Crohn's disease, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

■What's causing these symptoms?

■Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?

■What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?

■Is this condition temporary or long lasting?

■What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?

■Are there any medications that I should avoid?

■What types of side effects can I expect from treatment?

■Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?

■I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

■Do I need to follow any dietary restrictions?

■Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?

■Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What Web sites do you recommend?

■Is there a risk to me or my child if I become pregnant?

■Is there a risk of complications to my partner's pregnancy if I have Crohn's disease and father a child?

■What is the risk to my child of developing Crohn's disease if I have it?

■What are the best sources of information to learn about Crohn's disease?

■Are there support groups for people with Crohn's and their families?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

■When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?

■Have your symptoms been continuous or intermittent?

■How severe are your symptoms?

■Do your symptoms affect your ability to work or do other activities?

■Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?

■Is there anything that you've noticed that makes your symptoms worse?

■Do you smoke?

■Do you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, others)?

Crohn's Disease Information Recources

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Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America

386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10016–8804

Phone: 1–800–932–2423 or 212–685–3440

Email: info@ccfa.org

Internet: www.ccfa.org

Reach Out for Youth with Ileitis and Colitis, Inc.

84 Northgate Circle

Melville, NY 11747

Phone: Phone: 631–293–3102

Email: reachoutforyouth@reachoutforyouth.org

Internet: www.reachoutforyouth.org

United Ostomy Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 66

Fairview, TN 37062–0066

Phone: 1–800–826–0826

Fax: 615–799–5915

Email: info@uoaa.org

Internet: www.uoaa.org

Can I get pregnant with Crohn's Disease?

2010-08-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Absolutely. There is nothing wrong with our reproductive system. Research has shown that the course of pregnancy and delivery is usually not impaired in women with Crohn’s disease. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should discuss the matter with their doctors before pregnancy. Most children born to women with Crohn’s disease are unaffected. Children who do get the disease are sometimes more severely affected than adults, with slowed growth and delayed sexual development in some cases.

If you are in the infancy of your disease, it's always best to get healthy first.

Can diet control Crohn's Disease?

2010-08-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

People with Crohn’s disease often experience a decrease in appetite, which can affect their ability to receive the daily nutrition needed for good health and healing. In addition, Crohn’s disease is associated with diarrhea and poor absorption of necessary nutrients. As Crohn's suffers we can not absorb nutrients nor water. I highly recommend getting your vitamins though an IV treatment. I do believe that the procedure is covered by insurance. Either way, it is really the only way to ensure that you body is getting what it needs. We also recommend that you ask your doctor to do a complete vitamin panel (blood work) on you. Before you can correct any deficiencies, you need to know what you are deficient in. The test will cover everything and will lay out exactly what you need or have to much of. Also, a hormone test (also blood, saliva and urine) is necessary. Again, these tests will show what parts of your system are being affected.

No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is very important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms. There are no consistent dietary rules to follow that will improve a person’s symptoms. The best tip anyone can offer is to keep a food journal. Because we are all different and live this disease differently what works for me may not work for you. Document everything you eat and supplements/drugs you take. When a flare-up does arise, you have better knowledge of any tweaks that need to be made.

I have a journal that I have made. If you would like a copy for yourself just email me.

God Bless~

Finding the right treatment for Crohn's Disease

2010-08-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

Crohn's Disease can differ from person to person, so it is always best to find out what works for you and keep a log of that. Whether it be supplements, drugs or a meal plan, keep a journal. What’s right for one person might not be right for you-so it is important to recognize that. Work with your doctor to learn as much as you can about Crohn's disease treatment options, and find the treatment that meets your individual needs. And don’t wait—the sooner you and your doctor identify a treatment plan, the sooner you may be able to start controlling your symptoms.

There are 5 basic categories of medications available to treat the symptoms of Crohn's, including:

•Aminosalicylates (5-ASA's)

•Corticosteroids

•Immune modifiers (Immunomodulators)

•Biologic therapies (Biologics)

•Antibiotics

I was on these and more when I first started with the treatment protocol. I discovered that after 2 years of the drugs and 78 pounds heavier that they weren't working for me. My homeopathic doctor asked me why I stay on them if they are not improving the symptoms. She obviously woke me up a little. I started inquiring and researching for myself instead of listening to my cookie cutter Gastro doc. After weeks of research I've found that natural and herbal remedies work better for me and I chose to end my drug protocol.

I started with a pro-biotic, fish oils, Aloe Vera juice, 500mg of glutamine per day, Inflamacore (intestinal soother), adrenal supplements and the Myers Cocktail given intravenously. I can't tell you how I wish that someone, anyone would have given this protocol to me 4 years earlier. My life has changed due to this new regimen. No more pain, passing out, vomiting, and most of all regular bowl movements. But before you embarq on a new treatment regime or create a custom plan for yourself, please speak with your medical physician first. Because of the severity of our disease, consulting first may save you troubles later.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do occasionally get a flare-up for no reason as that is just the nature of the beast. But at least I am not on those harsh drugs anymore. The prednisone caused major eye problems and swelling not to mention massive weight gain. I can honestly say I don't even feel like I have Crohn's disease. If you are at your wits end and tired of the harsh chemical look into finding a doctor that believes in natural remedies and schedule a consult. That 10 minutes may just save your life!

God Bless~

Complications and Risk Factors of Crohn's Disease

2010-08-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is I thik the most irritating part of having Crohn's Disease. Approximately 20% of people with Crohn’s disease develop complications around their anus; called perianal disease, just a fancy word to say for around their anus. And those complications can include having a fissure of the anal canal. The anal canal is the muscle that holds us from having stool all of the time. And the sign of that is that you go to the bathroom and it is very painful to have a bowel movement and often has bleeding associated with it so that’s an anal fissure.

People with Crohn’s disease can also have something called anal tags. They are like big pieces of skin around the anus that you can feel when you're wiping and they can be painful. And finally they can have something called fistulas. Fistula is a fancy word for a connection between the inside of the bowel to the outside of the bowel. In this case, they’re usually from the anus or the rectum to the skin around the anus. These are fistulas. Most people notice them because they feel like painful bumps, like you are sitting on a big pimple, and can sometimes explode and drain pus and occasionally stool or blood that come from these fistulas but it can be very painful.

Risk factors for Crohn's disease may include:

■Age. Crohn's disease can occur at any age, but you're likely to develop the condition when you're young. Most people are diagnosed with Crohn's between the ages of 20 and 30.

■Ethnicity. Although whites have the highest risk of the disease, it can affect any ethnic group. If you're of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, your risk is even higher.

■Family history. You're at higher risk if you have a close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, with the disease. As many as 1 in 5 people with Crohn's disease has a family member with the disease.

■Cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is the most important controllable risk factor for developing Crohn's disease. Smoking also leads to more severe disease and a greater risk of surgery. If you smoke, stop. Discuss this with your doctor and get help. There are many smoking-cessation programs available if you are unable to quit on your own.

■Where you live. If you live in an urban area or in an industrialized country, you're more likely to develop Crohn's disease. Because Crohn's disease occurs more often among people living in cities and industrial nations, it may be that environmental factors, including a diet high in fat or refined foods, play a role in Crohn's disease. People living in northern climates also seem to have a greater risk of the disease.

■Isotretinoin (Accutane) use. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a powerful medication sometimes used to treat scarring cystic acne or acne that doesn't respond to other treatments. Although cause and effect hasn't been proved, studies have reported the development of inflammatory bowel disease with isotretinoin use.

■Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although these medications — ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), piroxicam (Feldene), and others — haven't been shown to cause Crohn's disease, they can cause similar signs and symptoms. Additionally, theses medications can make existing Crohn's disease worse.

How is Crohn’s diagnosed?

2010-08-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

Symptoms and complications of Crohn’s disease will vary based on the area of the intestinal tract that is inflamed. That is why it is so important your doctor conduct the proper tests for an accurate diagnosis.

There are several different procedures a physician may employ. Often it will take a combination of tests to reach the best diagnosis of your condition.

Blood Work – This is when a blood sample is taken and tested for things like white and red blood cell count, sedimentation rates, low blood protein, and low blood mineral.

Barium X-ray – Barium is a chalky substance that allows your organs to be seen clearly on an X-ray. It is either ingested orally so a physician can view your stomach and small intestine or it is given via an enema so your physician can view your colon and terminal ileum. Barium allows the physician to see ulcerations, narrowing, and sometimes even fistula, which is an abnormal connection of the bowel to another organ.

Colonoscopy – A colonoscopy is a procedure where a doctor uses a small, flexible viewing tube to directly analyze the rectum and the large intestine. A colonoscopy is more accurate than a barium X-ray in detecting small ulcers or areas of inflammation within the colon or terminal ileum.

Biopsy – During a colonoscopy, your doctor may take a small tissue sample of the inflamed area for lab analysis.

Computer Aided Tomography Scan – Also known as a CAT scan, this procedure utilizes computer imaging and X-ray scanning to produce a detailed image of the entire abdomen and pelvis. It is also very helpful in detecting abscesses, which are collections of pus that occur in the tissue, a cavity, or other confined area. CT Enterography is a new variation of the CT Scan that produces images of the intestines similar to barium X-rays.

Video Capsule Endoscopy – This modern electronic technique utilizes a capsule that contains a miniature camera. As the camera capsule travels through the small intestine the video signal is transmitted back to the receiver. Your doctor is then able to analyze the images on a computer monitor.

What's it like living with Crohn's Disease?

2010-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Crohn’s Disease is a lifelong condition. We understand it to be a disease in which once someone is diagnosed, they’re going to have one of several different patterns of disease. Fortunately, most people have a milder form of disease, in which they have active symptoms that may limit their ability to work or go to school, but only intermittently and rarely. Some patients have more aggressive disease, where the disease results in earlier surgery, and they may end up with more disability from their condition, and those patients need more aggressive therapy as well. And then some patients will cycle between the two conditions, and with the right therapy and in many cases surgery, they’ll end up with a milder form of the disease that’s stable over time.

The early symptoms for Crohn’s Disease may not prevent a person from going about their daily life. At first it may seem like more of a hindrance than early onset of an actual disease.

Some of the early symptoms of Crohn’s Disease is people having diarrhea or loose stool more frequently than they’re used to having. Other things that people might experience are fatigue, low grade fevers, night sweats, canker sores in their mouth, crampy abdominal pain after they eat.

As the Crohn’s disease progresses, especially when it’s Crohn’s disease of the small intestine, the small intestinal diameter can get smaller and smaller, and as you might imagine, food can start getting caught in the intestine, and so sometimes people in a way, interestingly, subliminally, don’t recognize the fact that they’re eating less and less, or they’re, or that they’re avoiding high fiber foods in order to allow that food to go through without having pain. So people can get quite used to having to really dramatically modify their diet. And the extreme of that is that people start losing weight as a result of modifying their diet.

Crohn's: Your first step

2010-08-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Understanding Crohn's is the first step in taking control of the monster. Crohn's is a disorder that is chronic and causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It will usually cause ulcerations of the small and large intestines but may also affect other regions from the mouth to the anus.

The fact that Crohn's Disease can effect any part of the digestive tract, is what separates it from another intestinal condition called Ulcerative Colitis. It is very important to have the correct diagnoses between the two diseases. Chron's is an auto immune disorder meaning the body's own immune system is what causes the damage. In a normal healthy person the immune system protects the body from harmful elements like bacteria, fungus and viruses. When the immune system activates its immune cells and proteins to do battle it causes inflammation at the site. In Crohn's Disease there is a loss of regulation of the immune system within the intestinal tract and it cycles between great activity, ulceration and periods of relative calm (remission).

There are different types of Crohn's Disease. Each type presents its own symptoms.

One type is called Inflammatory Crohns in which small erosion's & breakdown of the lining of the bowel wall is present.
Another is called Fibrostenotic. This is where there is much scar issue that has formed from the inflammation. The body will heal the inflammation but the resulting scar tissue is what can cause obstruction.
Last is Penetrating. The inflammation does through the wall of the bowl and has a tendency to form a connection between loops of bowl or the connection between the bowl and other organs or the skin.

Everyone will experience the disease differently. In some people Crohn's Disease will progress very rapidly leading to complications such as narrowing of the small intestine leading to blockages. Or perforation of the small intestine requiring surgery. By getting diagnoses early, you can drastically change that which may have turned into a poor outcome.

It is estimated that nearly half a million Americans suffer from Crohn's Disease. This condition effects both men and women equally. Crohn's was first recognized in the Jewish community more prevalent than other Caucasian populations in Europe.

God Bless~

Crohn's Symptoms

2010-08-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

What are you feeling? Everyone is different and experience this disease in their own way. Although we are unique to Crohn's Disease, we most likely all share a few common symptoms which range from mild to severe. Most of us experience periods of flare-up, followed by long episodes of calm (remission), where symptoms are greatly decreased or not present. Some commonly reported symptoms of Crohns' Disease include:

Major Fatigue
Slight Fever
Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal Pain
Persistent Diarrhea or Constipation
Rectal Bleeding
Loss of Appetite
Muscle Soreness
Joint Pain
Skin Rashes (boils)
Eye Problems

Along with painful symptoms, Crohn's Disease can lead to major complications such as obstruction of the intestine due to swelling and formation of scar tissue. Malnutrition play a large part as well as other obstructions such as fissures, abscesses and fistulas.

Because not much is really known about our disease or what actually causes it, treatment is usually best defined by the patient (you) rather than your MD. I'm not suggesting that you disregard your MD. What I suggest is that you learn for yourself what causes your flares and what helps you heal and become your own expert.

What they do know about Crohn's Disease is that it is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive or gastrointestinal track that appears to be a result of a complex interaction of factors such as:

Inherited Genes
Your Immune System
Environmental Factors

Studies suggest that once a person's immune system is turned on, it doesn't know how to turn off. The result is the pain and other symptoms that Crohn's brings. Though it can occur at any age, like myself at 37, most are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Roughly 20% of the affected have a sibling, parent or child with the disease or some form of IBD.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have persistent changes in your bowel habits or if you have any of the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease, such as:

Abdominal pain
Blood in your stool
Ongoing bouts of diarrhea that don't respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two

God Bless~

Living With Crohn's Disease

2010-08-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Make no mistake, our disease is real. It's a very serious disorder often associated with extremely painful and embarrassing symptoms. Although, it's a complete nuisance, it is rarely fatal. However, it is a chronic (persistent and lasting) disease with many complications. Although you may experience long periods of remission, know that there is no known medical cure for Crohn's disease. Flare ups and remission are just part of the disease. There is no rhyme or reason for the quick changes and we should not let that effect our mind set. If the regimen you are on is working for you, keep it up don't change anything and just ride it out if possible. There is no reason to jump back on the prednisone and asacol drugs. Just get back to the basics with your diet. Eat clean, meaning raw. No flour or sugar products and if you aren't on pro-biotic, fish oils, glutamine, inflammatory (intestinal soothers) or Aloe Vera juice-get on them. Your body will figure it out and begin to heal itself.

The good news is that there are practical techniques you can learn that may help you manage many of your symptoms.

1. Educate yourself about your disease. The internet is loaded with great information and so is your doctor. Join groups and local Crohns groups in your area.

2. Do not listen to your Gastro when they say "just stay away from Caffeine." There is so much more that you need to stay clear of. While everyone is different, some foods that cause common problems are dairy, spicy foods, high fiber foods, and fat.

3. Be prepared. You need to live an active life. Don't let this beast control your actives. To start choose familiar places. Once you feel comfortable you'll begin to try less familiar places. Note bathroom placement before your arrival to an event, it will help eliminate your stress. Travel with extra tissues or undergarments.

4. Stress, stress, stress. You need to reduce the stress in your life. Not only does stress cause your cortizol levels to increase it also feeds to the Crohn's disease. Stress is not the cause of stress, but it plays a huge role in it. Stress often exuberates flare-ups and other symptoms. While stress is most likely unavoidable, there are some techniques to help you reduce it:

Do something relaxing or fun for yourself everyday like reading a book, listening to your favorite song, working out, walking, crafts, sports, a massage or cooking.
Any type of meditation like yoga, deep breathing or meditation.
Any type of counseling or therapy may also help alleviate your stress levels. Talk to your MD about your situation, they are suitable to help you.

5. Create a support system. Many of us are not really comfortable discussing our disease or pain. However, telling your story, sharing your experiences with others helps the process for you but also for your support system. Something you may have tried or shared could make the difference in another’s life.

6. Connect and reach out. You will find it comforting to connect with others who share our disease undergoing similar experiences. Connecting with a group will provide you with a safe and constructive emotional outlet. And practical tips to cope with the impact of the monster are always helpful.

God Bless!

Food: The Ultimate Secret Exposed

2010-07-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Crohns Diet: What can I eat?

2010-07-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

I don't charge for the information I post on my Crohns blog but I should. Because those of you suffering with Crohns Disease would most likely pay big bucks for just some relief. After you read through and consult with your doctor you are going to be sending me roses, candy and maybe a new Camero (black please). :o)

Getting serious for just a moment, what you learn from your gastro is mostly all wrong, with just a little correct in the mix. If you ask them what you should eat, many of them will tell you that it has no food association, which is completely false. They may tell you to just stay clear of caffeine and fiberous foods. Wrong again, food plays a huge rule in our disease and Crohns isn't picky. It hate almost all foods. I'll get into more detail about what I've found to work but for now lets talk about how diet affects us.

Vitamin Deficiencies
Patients may experience malabsorbtion problems and/or have nutritional deficiencies especially iron or folate and less commonly B12, complain of tiredness and/or weakness and may suffer weight loss or for some time there can be a weight-gain problem due to treatment, especially treatment with steroids. Those with diarrhea should take extra fluids to prevent dehydration, as should all divers, and they may find that it's best not to eat fruits, nuts, spicy or fatty foods just before long boat dives.

Resting the colon may reduce symptoms, for example special elemental liquid feeds (IV Treatments) are sometimes taken because they are so well absorbed that little residue reaches the colon. Anecdotal reports suggest that a dramatic reduction in refined sugar has reduced or alleviated some patients diarrhea though there is little evidence to support this course of action as a treatment. A balanced fiber diet, if tolerated, is recommended in most cases, though some patients may not be able to tolerate a lot of fiber especially if they have had surgery.

You've probably read about different types of diets for Crohn's disease on the Internet. But the fact is there is no scientifically proven diet for inflammatory bowel disease. Most experts believe, though, that you can identify specific foods that trigger your gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly during disease flares. By avoiding your "trigger foods," you may find that your GI symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea are more manageable. At the same time, you will give your inflamed intestines time to heal.

With Crohn's disease, it's important to follow a high-calorie, high-protein diet, even when you don't feel like eating. An effective Crohn's disease diet plan, based on recommendations from experts, would emphasize eating regular meals, 6 per day. By eating every few hours you will not only keep your metabolism in check and running, but you will also insure that you get ample protein, calories, and nutrients. In addition, you will need to take your doctor-recommended vitamin and mineral supplements. Hoping by now that you have also considered going the natural route and getting off the harmful meds. By doing so you will be able to replenish the necessary nutrients in your body.

Which foods should I avoid with a Crohn's disease diet plan?
The foods that trigger symptoms differ for each person with Crohn's disease. To know which foods to leave out of your diet plan, you'll need to determine which foods trigger yours. Many people with Crohn's disease find that the foods on the following list aggravate symptoms during disease flares. So it's likely that at least some of these listed foods will trigger your symptoms:

alcohol (mixed drinks, beer, wine)

butter, mayonnaise, margarine, oils

carbonated beverages

coffee, tea, chocolate

corn husks

dairy products (if lactose intolerant)

fatty foods (fried foods)

foods high in fiber

gas-producing foods (lentils, beans, legumes, cabbage, broccoli, onions)

nuts and seeds (peanut butter, other nut butters)

raw fruits

raw vegetables

red meat and pork

spicy foods

whole grains and bran

Once you've identified foods that cause your symptoms to flare, you can choose either to avoid them or to learn new ways of preparing them that will make them tolerable. To do that, you'll need to experiment with various foods and methods of preparation to see what works best for you. For instance, if certain raw vegetables trigger a flare, you don't necessarily need to give them up. You may find that steaming them, boiling them, or stewing will allow you to eat them without increased GI symptoms. If red meat increases fat in the stools, you could try eating ground sirloin or ground round to see if you can tolerate a leaner cut of beef. Or you might decide to rely on low-fat poultry without skin and fish as your main sources of protein.

If you are not that into eating meat or dairy for your protein intake consider Whey Protein Shakes. This is an excellent source of protein, not to mention added vitamins and minerals that you may not be getting from other types of foods. Try Women's Whey Protein by Dedicated Woman or the Pro Lean Mass by Extreme Labs, both offer excellent choices in protein shakes.

You may also want to consider the Ketogenic diet. You can google The Specific Carb Diet and read up on the program. Our systems have a hard time digesting carbs and possibly this is another choice for you. But before you begin any type of new diet, be sure to consult with your doctor first. These types of meal programs need to be monitored by a professional.

Good luck to you!