Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which considerably reduces life quality. Especially with chronic diseases requiring long-term therapy, it would be sensible to use natural remedies.
Scientists at the University of Michigan researched the additional administration of curcumin in addition to mesalazine. Additional administration of curcumin resulted in a good treatment response in comparison to patients not receiving curcuma (placebo group) [1].
In another study, the effect of Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense) was compared with the effect of sulfasalazine. Eighty-two % of patients treated with Boswellia serrata and 75% of patients treated with sulfasalazine responded to the therapy [2].
Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid promoting inflammation.
A decisive factor is the ratio of arachidonic acid to the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These are mainly found in fish or in krill oil, the latter being more bioavailable [3].
Wolfgang Stremmel, one of my professors at the University of Heidelberg, Department of Gastroenterology, investigated the effect of phosphatidylcholine on inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in ulcerative colitis [4] [5].
[1] Ulcerative colitis and Curcuma
[2] Boswellia serrata (frankincense) in ulcerative colitis
[3] Omega 3 fatty acids in ulcerative colitis
[4] Phosphatidylcholine in ulcerative colitis
[5] Phosphatidylcholine in ulcerative colitis