Study: DHEA Treatment of Crohn's Disease

There is hope using natural supplements to control Crohn’s Disease Symptoms. In one study in the The Townsend Letter Group revealed that DHEA-S conventrations decreased in patients with both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitius.

In the study 200 mg of DHEA per day was given orally for 56 days to 7 patients with active Crohn’s disease and 13 patients with avtive olcerative colitis, all of whoem were refravtory to other drugs.

Some patients, 6 out of the 7 Crohn’s suffereres and 6 of the 13 ulcertive oilis went tinto remissin.

The treatment respnse rate was 85.7% for rohn’s Disease and 61.5% for ulcerative colitis. No patient withdrew from the study.

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The mechanism of action may result from the ability of DHEA to decrease mediators of inflammation. DHEA has the ability to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa-beta and the secretions of lL-6 and lL-12 (Currently, researches are working on a drug for iL-23)

Essential fatty Acids are a biological process that cannot be manufactured by the body; therefore it must comes from food or supplements. They are components of the phospholipid cell membrane, hormones and nervous system crucial to the regulation of emotions and mood, brain function and nerve impulses as well as maintaining weight.

There are 3 types of essential fatty acids: Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are commonly lacking in most diets. There is a widespread fad among the North American population opposing all forms of fat in the diet. We need good fat in our diet in moderate quantities, as it acts as a carrier for the fat soluble vitamins A D E and K. It is difficult to include sufficient amounts in multi vitamins due to manufacturing limitations; therefore they must come from the diet or extra supplementation in the form of oil or gel caps from fish oil, or flax seeds, among others.

Good fats are healing fats. Healing fats are Unsaturated Fatty Acids or UFA’s for short. The properties that make up UFA’s allow for the fluidity needed in cell membranes.  UFA’s are liquid at room temperature and stay as a liquid in the cells allowing for the cells to take in nutrients and oxygen. Think of cold pressed coconut oil; at a cold temperature it is a solid. When you introduce the solid cocnut oil into room temperature it melts.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s for short) come from cold water fish, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and oils from fish, nuts, seeds and plants.

Good fats are required for proper functioning of the immune system as they activate T-cells which are effective against inflammatory conditions such as eczema and arthritis as well as auto-immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and Chrons disease. Essential fatty acids  protect against various heart and vascular disease including stroke, controls blood pressure and inhibits blood clotting, and regulates the action of insulin. Essential Fatty acids are a part of the human growth factor as it stimulates growth that has been retarded.

Supplementation is recommended because it is difficult to obtain a sufficient quantity in the diet alone.

FISH OIL provides two fatty acids; EPA-eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA-docosahexaenoic acid. What makes these components extrodinaire is that they are a normal constituents of our cells abundant in brain cells, nerves, retinas, adrenal and sex glands. EPA and DHA can balance hormones and increase cognitive function. Fish oil can also decrease blood palette stickinessand fibrinogen levels reducing the risk of blood clots, heart attacks and stroke. Fish oils can lower triglycerides by up to 65% and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The body makes PG3 prostaglandins and leukotrienes from EPA which can lower clots and prevent Diabetes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism and strokes.

Look for a high quality Fish oil with at least an EPA/DHA ratio of 720 mg. Make sure it does not contain PcB;s mercury, and other pollutants.

What are your thoughts? Have you tried Fish oil? I take fish oil every day and it has helped me with Crohn’s Disease symptoms and hormonal issues related to Crohn’s disease. Please share your story!

If you are interested in exploring this further, contact Karen Langston today.