By Robert Avery M.D. FACP

Much of the latest research into the effect the mind has on the body was presented at the Digestive Disease Week. Many topics were discussed at this meeting.

We’ve known for many years that psychological stress can worsen bowel symptoms. It stands to reason that mind-body exercises, which are helpful at reducing stress, can help patients with bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome. This is a vast untapped resource for patients with bowel disease. Any patient with either irritable bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis needs to get the latest information about nutrition and mind-body techniques that can help them.

I am astounded when patients with Crohn’s disease tell me they were not told to eat any specific kind of diet. They were told to eat what ever tastes good. For one patient, this was plenty of ice cream. There are data to suggest that inflammatory conditions, like Crohn’s disease, can be improved with an anti-inflammatory diet. This diet includes omega-3 fatty acids (olive oil, or fish oil), fruits and vegetables, and getting protein sources from fish, chicken, beans, soy, and nuts. Glutamine has some data as a source of protein and fuel source for the GI tract. What they shouldn’t eat is red meat, processed meat, milk fat or processed foods.

Mind-body techniques like yoga, meditation, vibration therapy, music therapy, massage, and acupuncture have all been shown to decrease stress, stress hormone levels and improve immune function. Read the rest of this entry »

By Robert Avery M.D. FACP

Much of the latest research into the effect the mind has on the body was presented at the Digestive Disease Week. Many topics were discussed at this meeting.

We’ve known for many years that psychological stress can worsen bowel symptoms. It stands to reason that mind-body exercises, which are helpful at reducing stress, can help patients with bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome. This is a vast untapped resource for patients with bowel disease. Any patient with either irritable bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis needs to get the latest information about nutrition and mind-body techniques that can help them.

I am astounded when patients with Crohn’s disease tell me they were not told to eat any specific kind of diet. They were told to eat what ever tastes good. For one patient, this was plenty of ice cream. There are data to suggest that inflammatory conditions, like Crohn’s disease, can be improved with an anti-inflammatory diet. This diet includes omega-3 fatty acids (olive oil, or fish oil), fruits and vegetables, and getting protein sources from fish, chicken, beans, soy, and nuts. Glutamine has some data as a source of protein and fuel source for the GI tract. What they shouldn’t eat is red meat, processed meat, milk fat or processed foods.

Mind-body techniques like yoga, meditation, vibration therapy, music therapy, massage, and acupuncture have all been shown to decrease stress, stress hormone levels and improve immune function. These should be part of a healthy lifestyle for anyone with chronic conditions. Read the rest of this entry »