Health Benefits of Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease

Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease - Is this a drug-free method for treating symptoms of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis?

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) estimates that 1 million people have Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). While they've yet to find a cure, proper medical treatment can improve the quality of life for many with this condition.

The two most common forms of Irritable Bowel Disease are:

• Crohn's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis

Statistics from CCFA show males or females are equally affected by either disease and it's believed genetics may play a role.

If you have a relative with either disease, your risk is 10 times more likely than the general population. This risk increases to 30 times if your brother or sister has the disease.

Both conditions involve an inflammatory process in the body.

Ulcerative colitis - Involves inflammation on the surface of the rectum and colon. The lining becomes red and sore and develops painful ulcers. It can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Crohn's Disease - Affects your small intestine but it can reach any part of your digestive system. The inflammation spreads deeper into the tissues of the digestive tract, involving the entire bowel.

Both diseases cause very painful abdominal cramps, constipation and severe diarrhea. Proper medical treatment is necessary to have a healthy functioning digestive system.

What causes Irritable Bowel Disease?

Researchers believe your immune system mistakes bacteria normally found in your digestive system as foreign invaders and attacks them. This causes white blood cells to build up in the area, causing inflammation. This ultimately leads to ulcerations and tissue damage to your bowel.

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory drugs and immune-suportive medications.

Could we use fish oils to treat the inflammation associated with Irritable Bowel Diseases?

The following study looks at enteric-coated fish oils and Crohn's disease treatment.

Patients Find Relief from Crohn's Disease with Fish Oils

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Based on these properties, could fish oils be used as a natural treatment for Crohn's disease?

79 patients with Crohn's disease, and a high rate of relapse, received a daily supplement of 9 fish oil capsules containing almost 3 grams of omega 3 fatty acids. A special coating (enteric-coating) on the capsules prevented them from being digested by stomach acid for at least 30 minutes.

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that lasted one year.

And the results are:

• 72% of patients taking fish oils didn't experience a relapse in symptoms.
• One year later, 60% of the same patients taking fish oils were symptom-free.
• Patients taking the placebo didn't do as well. They had almost 2.5 times more relapses and only 26% stayed symptom-free.

Researchers concluded enteric-coated fish oil supplements are effective in reducing the rate of relapse in patients with Crohn's Disease.

Comments:

Will combining fish oils and Crohn's disease reduce symptoms for all? Although this was only one study, results are encouraging.

Fish oils are not a natural cure for Crohn's disease, but they may play a part in a Crohn's treatment plan by relieving inflammation.

Choosing the Right Fish Oil for Inflammation control in Crohn's Disease

Research shows pharmaceutical-grade fish oils will help reduce inflammation. This may lower the amount of corticosteroid medication normally taken to manage the symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Dr. Barry Sears has created a specialized high-dose fish oil called Zone Labs Omega 3 Concentrates.

These powerful fish oils are backed by extensive scientific research and are proven to have more anti-inflammatory effects than any store-bought fish oil.

Zone Labs fish oils are so good they were awarded the highest 5 star ratings for quality and purity from the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Report.

The IFOS tests the quality and purity of fish oils from all over the world and holds some of the strictest testing procedures anywhere.

You need the highest quality nutrients to ensure your body can heal itself. Dr. Sears Zone Labs Omega 3 Concentrate's patented anti-inflammatory effects can help ensure your body can function at its best while reducing inflammation.

Click the banner below for more detailed information on Dr. Sears fish oils and how you can use these to fight inflammation and improve your health:

Research References: