Research done at Babraham Institute in the UK has shown that diets low or void of certain vegetables leads to a weakening of the protective microbial layer of the intestinal tract causing higher chances of inflammation while reducing healing capacity.
The researchers focused on intra-epithelial lymphocytes(IELs) which reside just below the epithelial cell layer that makes up the walls of the intestinal tract. IELs play an important role in the immune response to foreign invaders, they are essentially the first line of defense against bacteria trying to setup shop in the intestinal tract or penetrate the intestinal lining. Mice involved in the study were given a specific diet that was devoid of “cruciferous vegetables”. Those given this diet showed a reduction in the number of IELs residing in their gut. They also looked at mice that were genetically modified to not have IELs. Both mice groups showed similar problems with regards to being able to control the microbial flora in their digestive tract as well as showing a slowed ability to heal from damage to the intestinal tract. Continue reading “Mustard, Broccoli & Other Veggies Key To Intestinal Health” »
While Facebook may be the dominate social media platform, many niche social networks are popping up, including those for Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis patients.
Crohnology Social Networking Site
Crohnology is the creation of Sean Ahrens, a twelve-year veteran of Crohn’s Disease & a software developer who works in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. The look of the site is pretty well polished with features that allow you communicate with & find others who have Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Of particular note is the ability to list treatments you’ve tried & then rate how well those treatments worked for you. The site is currently in private beta mode, but you can request an invitation by going to the website & entering your e-mail address. Continue reading “Two New Social Networking Sites Look To Help Crohn’s & Colitis Patients Connect” »
RedHill Biopharma is looking to start FDA & European drug trials soon for their RHB-104 MAP bacterium treatment for those with Crohn’s Disease.
The Phase II/III FDA drug trials in the US will be lead by Professor David Y. Graham from Baylor College of Medicine located in Houston, Texas. Professor Graham worked for NASA as a physician during the Apollo program, has written over 800 medical articles & is considered to be one of the “Top 50 Most Influential Gastroenterology Professionals of the 20th Century” as rated by Gastroenterology.com.
“Phase II/III” trials differ from more typical separate Phase II & Phase III trials in that the study is more randomized than a typical Phase II trial, as well as there being more participants involved. This allows data from a Phase II/III trial to be used going forward in a Phase III trial. However, Phase II/III trials require more infrastructure & patients, raising costs. Phase II/III trials could be looked at as though they are Phase III trials with stronger stop parameters than a typical Phrase III trial. Given that the drugs used within RHB-104 have gone through Phase III trials in Australia, this is probably why RedHill Biopharma is confident in moving forward with the Phase II/III style of trial. Continue reading “RedHill Biopharma’s RHB-104 MAP Treatment for Crohn’s Disease” »
A small scale observational study published in the Journal of the Israeli Medical Association looked at the effects of cannabis usage among patients who had Crohn’s Disease.
The study found 30 patients through an Israeli medical marijuana organization. They asked these patients about their disease & wellbeing before & after cannabis usage. When possible, they referenced the answers given with the patients medical records. Most all of the patients had been on conventional treatments such as anti-inflammatories, corticosteriods & some where also using anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies. About half had also experienced the need to have surgery at some point. These patients opted to use marijuana due to the fact that they were not responding well to conventional treatments. The average amount of THC(tetrahydrocannabinol) intake from marijuana per day was about 0.5mg – 1.5mg. Continue reading “Study Suggests Cannabis Helpful In Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease” »
A study done by researchers in Norway shows a link between Giardia infection & development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Researchers gave 817 patients who were exposed to Giardia lamblia mail-in questionnaires which asked them to explain any current symptoms they were experiencing. These patients infection was the result of a waterborne outbreak of Giardia which occured three years prior. They compared these patients answers with those from a control group containing 1128 people. Continue reading “Giardia Infection Linked to Irritable Bowel & Chronic Fatigue” »
Researchers at the University of Manitoba have done a broad scale investigational research project into the link between antibiotics usage & Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis.
The study suggested that those given 3 or more dosages of antibiotics have as much as 50% higher likelihood of developing Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis within 2 years. Over 2,200 patients with either Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis between 2001 and 2008 were matched to over 22,300 control participants based on gender, age & location. Researchers used the Manitoba Drug Program Information Network, which is a comprehensive database of all drug prescriptions for Manitobans going back as far as 1995. While the researchers found that most all antibiotics pose a similar risk, metronidazole(Flagyl/MetroGel) posed the highest risk while penecillan appeared to pose the lowest. Continue reading “Recent Antibiotic Use Linked to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” »
Christchurch Hospital’s Department of Paediatric Surgery has developed a way to grow smooth muscle cells which may lead to new treatment options for those with bowel diseases or defects.
Research lead by Dr. Atsushi Yoshida & Prof. Spencer Beasley has developed a technique that allows them to grow smooth muscle which exhibits muscle contractions similar that of bowel muscle. The breakthrough allows the researchers to convert pluripotent stem cells into sheets of this smooth muscle tissue.
“This is a significant breakthrough because until now being able to achieve contracting sheets of smooth muscle cells has proved very difficult,” – Dr. Atushi Yoshida Continue reading “Christchurch Hospital On It’s Way To Generating Smooth Bowel Muscle” »
Hydrogenotrophic microbes which convert hydrogen into other substances may play a key role in the development of diseases like Colon Cancer or Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Research lead by Professor Rex Gaskin & Dr. Eugene Greenberg at the University of Illinois is looking to map Hydrogenotrophic(hydrogen consuming) microbes that while making up a small portion of the microbial ecosystem might play a big part in the development of diseases such as Colon Cancer or Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. Continue reading “Hydrogen Eating Microbes Play Important Role In Digestive System” »
Those trying to improve their health may actually be making it worse or even risking severe injury by taking colon cleansing products which are often costly & have dubious benefit.
A few months ago I wrote about my negative thoughts on colon cleansing products & how I felt they weren’t healthy, safe or cost effective treatment for digestive system problems. Of all the bogus health products out there colon cleansing is probably at the top of the list for deceiving people about it’s potential benefits. Continue reading “Colon Cleansing Offers Little Benefit & Dangerous For Some” »
The American Idol “Top 6” finalist, Casey Abrams, looks to highlight inspiring stories of those who have pushed beyond the limitations Inflammatory Bowel Disease imposes on their life.
Casey Abrams’ battle with Ulcerative Colitis came to light earlier this spring while competing on American Idol. Despite trying to put on a strong face & not bring attention to himself due to his illness, he eventually became so ill that he had to be hospitalized & receive blood transfusions. Since the news of his health problems became known, he has received an outpouring of support from his fans & those who have Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis. Mr. Abrams recently spoke with FOX’s Beth Galvin about the struggles he faced during American Idol & beyond. Continue reading “Singer Casey Abrams Raising Awareness With IBD Icons Project” »