A continually growing compilation of every single bit of information outside the Standard of Care that could conceivably be helpful for conquering ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
Food | Microbiome | Mind-Body | Supplements | Other | Environment | Special Topics
Important note: Just because something is on this page does not mean that I endorse it, or that it’s safe for everyone. There are even things on this page that I personally have tried and had a bad experience with. But if an approach is reasonably popular and I think it’s not advisable, I’d much rather you learn about it here where I can give some context, warnings, and disclaimers, rather than have you sucked into one of the dogmatic cult-like crevices of the internet where nuance goes to die.
My role here is to give you as much information as possible in an organized and objective way. YOUR role is to do your due diligence, discuss with your healthcare provider(s)*, and decide the best course of action for you.
If you don’t see something here that you think should be included, tell me!
If you see a post title or topic listed with no hyperlink, that probably means I’m working on it and/or plan to create a page for it in the future. In the meantime – Google it!
Background
My IBD Story: Ulcerative Colitis, Restrictive Diets, Surgery, and Ongoing Exploration
For those who are interested in the experience that has ultimately landed me here, making this website for others with IBD.
About Alyssa: Background, Biases, and Philosophy on Health and Disease
Most of us decide whether a bit of information is trustworthy in large part on the basis of who has conveyed it to us. You shouldn’t trust everything people say on the internet, and I’m no exception. This post is meant to give you a sense of who I am as a person, what my biases are, and the perspective I’m writing from, so that you can figure out whether you’ll be taking the information I provide with a grain of salt (or several).
Food
On the left, you’ll find a list of diets. Some are designed specifically for IBD; others are not. Some could be a good choice for most people, others for almost nobody, but none of them will be suitable for everyone.
On the right, you’ll find a collection of topics related to nutrition, including special reports on particular nutrients that have increased relevance (and sometimes controversy) in IBD patients.
Therapeutic Diets
- Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)
- Bean Protocol
- Carnivore
- Elemental Diet
- GAPS
- Gluten-Free
- Groningen Anti-Inflammatory Diet
- IBD Anti-Inflammatory Diet (IBD‑AID)
- Ketogenic
- Low-FODMAP
- Paleo
- Pro-Metabolic (Ray Peat)
- Semi-Vegetarian/Plant-Based (used in Japanese hospitals for IBD)
- Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
- Vegan
- Very Low Fat (Swank diet)
- Vitamin A Detox
Nutrition
- Nutrition for IBD
- Iron
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Vitamin D
Microbiome
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and IBD
Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for IBD
Probiotics
- Akkermansia muciniphila
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- VSL #3 / Visbiome
- E. coli Nissle 1917
- Soil Based Organisms
- Probiotic Enemas
Fiber & Prebiotics
- Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
- Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
- Polyphenols
- Psyllium husk
- Resistant starch
- Sunfiber
Mind-Body and Nervous System
The Science Behind Energy Medicine (post in progress!)
- Brain Retraining (DNRS, Lightning Process, etc)
- Hypnotherapy
- Meditation and Mindfulness (MBSR, etc)
- Qigong
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Supplements
- Aloe Vera
- Boswellia (frankincense)
- Butyrate (oral supplement, enema)
- Collagen/Bone Broth
- Exogenous Ketones
- Glutathione (and precursors)
- IV Therapy (micronutrients, amino acids, glutathione, NAD+, etc)
- L-Glutamine
- Lactoferrin/Colostrum
- MCT Oil
- Monolaurin
- Turmeric (curcumin)
- Vitamin E Enemas
Other Therapies
- Acupuncture
- Buteyko Breathing
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Exercise/Physical Therapy
- Helminth Therapy
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
- Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF)
- Red Light
- Reiki
- Rolfing
- Sauna
- Tapping/Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Environment
Circadian Rhythm Optimization (including sleep hygiene, light spectrum optimization, CAR optimization, etc)
Environmental Toxin Awareness (personal care products, household products, building and furnishing materials, EMFs, pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals, etc)
Special Topics
Mouse Models of Ulcerative Colitis: What Can They Really Tell Us?
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and the information on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.