Previously, we talked about the risks associated with consuming too much omega 6 fatty acid or linoleic acid and the development of colitis. Conversely, the consumption of omega 3 fatty acids lowered the risk of developing the disease. The benefits of omega 3 essential fatty acids are wide and varied. According to researchers, omega 3’s can also help prevent heart disease, decrease hypertension, and ease depression. Studies have also found that not consuming enough omega 3 fatty acids can actually increase a person’s susceptibility to diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s.
Traditionally, individuals seeking to increase their omega 3 intake took supplements in the form of pills or consumed flax seeds, walnuts, or fish. While all of these are adequate resources for the acids, a new study has found that the very best, most concentrated source for omega 3’s is in salmon, hake, and lumpsucker roe. These tasty little fish eggs are not just for elegant dinner parties or Sunday brunch anymore! They may be your best ticket to greater health and treatment for an array of conditions, including Crohn’s and colitis. So, the next time you are having a California Roll or lox, put a dollop of roe on top and know that you are helping your body stave off various health conditions.
Filed under Crohn's/Colitis Health Tips by on Dec 27th, 2009. Comment. 
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder, leading to ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the symptoms of Crohn’s include fatigue, nausea, bloody stools, diarrhea, joint pain, stomach pain, cramping, and weight loss, among others. Because these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions, it is important to visit a health care professional to get the proper diagnosis. The treatment options for the disease typically include prescriptive drugs, diet, and exercise. In more severe cases, steroids or immunosuppressant may be prescribed.
Despite these treatments, Crohn’s disease has no cure, and there has not been a determination as to its cause. It affects roughly 500,000 people in the United States, with women, Caucasians, and the Jewish populations at the highest risk. Due to its prevalence and its debilitating symptoms, it is recognized as a disability by the Social Security Administration. As such, if you or a loved one suffers from the disease and the symptoms have made it impossible to hold a job, you may be entitled to social security benefits. It is important, however, that you see a medical professional who can document the condition, symptoms, and treatment. Crohn’s disease can be a difficult condition to live with, but there are therapy options available, as well as possible disability awards depending on your specific condition and work history.
Filed under Living with Crohn's/Colitis by on Dec 21st, 2009. Comment.
A recent study of 200,000 Europeans indicated that individuals who ate a lot of red meat, cooked with certain oils, and used some types of margarines may be more susceptible to having the inflammatory bowel syndrome known as colitis. The researchers found that the foods contain linoleic acid, or omega 6 fatty acid, which resulted in the consumers of these foods being twice more likely to develop colitis than those who consumed fewer of these items. Further, the researchers found that eating foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish and fish oil, lowered the risk of the disease.
The researches noted that an excessive amount of linoleic acid causes inflammation of the large intestine. Those individuals who consumed 13-38 grams of linoleic acid per day were 2.5 times more likely to develop the disease, than those who consumed 2-8 grams. Although there is no cure for colitis, nor a dietary treatment, these findings may indicate that eating less linoleic acid may render favorable results in preventing the disease. Additionally, the preventative effects of consuming omega 3 fatty acids are also paramount in treating colitis, as well as protecting against developing colitis in the first place.
If you are disabled from colitis and are pursuing a Social Security Disability claim, you may want to consider these study results. Perhaps you can alter your diet to include less omega 6 fatty acids and more omega 3 fatty acids. If you end up having a social security disability hearing in your colitis case, you may have the opportunity to tell your Judge the steps you have taken to improve your condition. Social Security Judges are fond of claimants who take proactive steps to improve their disability. In this case, a dietary change might be viewed as a positive step in the right direction in the eyes of a Social Security Judge.
But more importantly, your health should be your main concern. On this crohn’s/colitis disability blog, I like to point out research and studies from time to time in hopes my clients can benefit from the research to some degree.
Filed under Crohn's/Colitis Research by on Dec 16th, 2009. Comment.
From December 3-6, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation will hold its annual meeting at which new evidence regarding a possible cause for the mutation of crohn’s disease will be presented. Although the actual molecular cause of crohn’s is unknown, this information regarding how the pathogens of the disease mutate over time may help in identifying why and how crohn’s occurs. The research may also aid in discovering treatment options for those who suffer from the inflammatory bowel issue.
The conference will host various medical professionals, researchers, physicians, and nurses. The event will highlight the newest breakthroughs on the diseases, as well as new treatment options available. The inflammatory bowel disease affects 1.4 million adults and children in the United States. The Foundation’s mission is to find a cure for crohn’s and colitis, as well as support on-going research into treatment methods for the diseases.
Although medical breakthroughs are likely to be presented at the Meeting, there is currently no cure. The debilitating disease is painful and currently incurable, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. It can be so debilitating that individuals may find it difficult to function at work, necessitating a claim for social security benefits. An individual suffering from the disease should seek the advice of a medical professional to see what options may exist for treatment. Although this annual meeting may provide great insight into the mutation causes of the disease, there is still no cure. These exciting research opinions are, however, steps in the right direction.
Filed under Crohn's/Colitis Research by on Nov 20th, 2009. Comment.
