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DRSladic.com
December 2023
THE LINK BETWEEN CROHN’S, CELIAC, AND IBS How Autoimmune Diseases Impact Your Digestive System
I’ve talked about autoimmune disease before, and in a previous newsletter this year, I discussed it regarding the thyroid, specifically Hashimoto’s disease. However, autoimmune disorders affect the entire body and have many forms. Like, for example, Crohn’s and celiac disease. In both of these diseases, the immune system is triggered by an agent and reacts by attacking normal, healthy cells. For Crohn’s disease, it’s believed that a bacteria in the gut mistakenly triggers the immune system. And for celiac, the immune system is abnormally sensitive to gluten, causing an inflammatory response in the body. Both of these diseases have a very common ugly stepsister: IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. Or, maybe I should call it an ugly parent instead, as autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation and conditions like Crohn’s or celiac fall under the “IBS” umbrella. But, while these diseases are related thanks to the immune system, they’re all different. Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s is probably the most challenging to manage. Partially, since the catalyst for the immune response comes from a bacteria in the patient’s gut, there’s no
easy way to identify which bacteria caused the reaction among the over 100 trillion microbial cells living there. On top of that, the symptoms of the disease are harsh and include the following:
For reference, gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine, which damages the lining of the small intestine. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) As I mentioned before, IBS is just a name for a group of autoimmune bowel diseases. As the name suggests, it essentially means an irritated, uncomfortable, painful bowel. So, technically, if you have Crohn’s, celiac, or a number of other gut issues, you’d also have IBS. However, having IBS doesn’t mean you automatically have something like Crohn’s or celiac. Out of the three gut issues I’ve discussed, IBS is the least severe from a damage standpoint, and the symptoms are typically less intense.
• • •
Bloating
• • • • •
Nausea
Bloody stools Bowel obstruction
Vomiting Fatigue
Fever
•
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
The most challenging part is that any of these symptoms, like vomiting or diarrhea, can occur multiple times a day .
The frequency and severity of these symptoms result in the patient being placed on an extremely
strict diet for a long time — typically bone
However, all of these conditions have
broth and maybe some vegetables.
to do with an autoimmune response in the gut or your digestive
Celiac Disease Celiac, while still no fun, is a bit better than Crohn’s in that the immune trigger is easily identifiable: gluten. The symptoms are nearly identical to Crohn’s, but once wheat is removed from the diet, patients can usually live pretty normal lives without symptoms or any additional therapies.
system. When people think of their digestive systems, they usually imagine
their large intestine, and that’s about where it ends, but the truth is your “gut” involves many organs: the esophagus,
Continued on Page 3 ...
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
May the Christmas Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your family.
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OUTDOOR SURVIVAL TIPS EVERY WINTER SPORTS LOVER SHOULD KNOW
your body heat. If you’re stuck outside in an urban area, you can shelter behind a wall. Some survivalists even recommend emptying a large trash can and climbing inside until the weather dies down because plastic is a great insulator. (Fun fact: Winter cyclists wear plastic “socks” over or under their real socks to protect their feet from the cold.) Trees can provide a natural wind shelter in the wilderness, or you can build a snow cave in a snowy, treeless area. Pile the snow around you into a drift, then burrow inside to protect yourself from the wind. Dig all the way to the ground if you can, and block most of the entrance to your cave with whatever you have on hand — a backpack, pine boughs, or more snow.
cover your mouth with a scarf or other clothing. These steps will warm the air you breathe, prevent shortness of breath, and keep your core temperature up.
3. Melt snow before you eat it. You might be tempted to eat snow if you feel thirsty, but this can have a dangerous effect on your body temperature. Instead, melt the snow into water before consuming it. Ideally, you have a water bottle or canteen with you. Fill it with snow, slide it inside your jacket, and wait for your body heat to melt the snow. These tips aren’t a substitute for the basics like staying home in bad weather, wearing layers, packing survival gear, and learning to build a fire. But they can help you stay warm until help arrives!
Whether you love to hike, ski, snowboard, or simply live in a cold climate, you need to learn how to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia. You never know when you might be caught outside in frigid temperatures! Here are a few tips to remember in case you find yourself in a dangerous situation. 1. Find or build a wind shelter. Icy wind can slice through even the warmest winter gear and quickly sap
2. Protect your lungs from the
cold. Breathe through your nose and
A HEALTHY GUT FOR A HAPPIER YOU Natural Remedies for a Better Digestive System
The Large Intestine In your colon, bacteria run the show, so to keep this organ healthy, you need two things: good bacteria and the right food to feed those bacteria. That is where prebiotics and probiotics come in. Prebiotics are actually just fiber, which is gut bacteria’s favorite food. I recommend grinding up some chia or flaxseeds and eating about a tablespoon daily for a great prebiotic. On the other hand, probiotics are the actual good bacteria, and eating them via a supplement will allow them to move into your gut. You can pick up a probiotic supplement from your local supermarket or health food store!
As I mentioned on Page 1, there are fairly easy ways to help your body naturally prevent and overcome some bowel issues. It’s important to remind everyone that these tips won’t get rid of autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s or celiac. You’ll need to work on your immune system first. But if you’re just looking for ways to boost your gut microbiome, here are the top things I recommend, broken down by organ. The Stomach One of the most common issues people deal with in the stomach is acid reflux, and much of this has to do with the stomach’s acidity level being too low. When the stomach isn’t acidic enough, foods aren’t digested all the way, resulting in fermentation, which then creates too much acid for the system.
To remedy this, gulp down about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar each day. I prefer to do this after a full meal, but you can do it anytime and receive the same benefits. The Small Intestine It’s here that enzymes get to work breaking down the food they receive from the stomach and converting it into something useful for your body. Bone broth has natural collagen that turns into gelatin when cooked. Gelatin, as it turns out, is like a super food for your small intestine. Not only does it help those enzymes break down food, but it also works to actively heal and seal your small intestine, which helps prevent damage and inflammation to its lining. Really, a cup of bone broth of any protein works, and it’s most delicious when you heat it up on a cold December day!
–Dr. Tom Sladic
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CHICKEN, LEEK, AND BLUE CHEESE PILAF
At Natural Solutions for Health, we help patients with many different health concerns, from autoimmune disorders to lower back pain. In the case of Lizzie M., she was dealing with depression, fatigue, low energy, cold hands and feet, and even hair loss. When patients are dealing with many conditions that display in similar ways, such as depression, fatigue, and low energy, our goal is always to treat the source of the problem rather than apply a quick band-aid approach. After evaluating Lizzie at our office, I decided that there were a few products she could add to her daily routine that would help address the deficiencies we found. I sent Lizzie home with the products, and we had her return to check on her progress. This is what she reported during her follow-up visit: “My energy level is great, and now, the future is worth living for. There’s no more fatigue or depression, and I can enjoy company better without getting so awfully tired afterward,” she said. “I can enjoy my family much better now, and I’m so thankful your products are all natural.” I’m delighted that by adding a few natural supplements to her routine, Lizzie was able to find joy in life again. I feel so honored that she trusted our team to provide her with the support and help she needed to get through a dark time. If you, or someone you know, is going through something similar to Lizzie, I’d love to help them, too. You can always reach me by calling (877) 861-5927 . Congratulations Lizzie! We are so happy you are feeling so much better! CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: Lizzie’s Path to Health and Happiness
Did someone say, “Healthy chicken with tangy blue cheese”? We thought so!
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 cups water • 1/2 cup brown basmati rice • 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder • 1 bay leaf • 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 2 skinless chicken breasts, chopped
• 1 leek, thinly sliced • 2 zucchini, thinly sliced • 1 cup frozen peas • 4 walnut halves, broken • 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Directions
1. In a large pot, add water, rice, bouillon powder, and bay leaf. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat oil and stir-fry chicken over medium-high heat until just cooked. Remove from pan, then fry leek until soft. Add zucchini, stir-fry for a few minutes more, then add peas. 3. When the rice is cooked, add it and any liquid from the pot to the vegetables. Return chicken to the pan, then cover and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in walnuts and cheese and serve hot.
... continued from Cover
stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Each one of these organs requires different things to function properly and is also affected by an autoimmune response in different ways. If you believe your IBS or other digestive issues may be autoimmune-related, it’s best to get tested, especially if someone in your family has an autoimmune disease. But if not, there are things you can do to protect your digestive system against bowel issues or inflammation. You can find those suggestions on Page 2 of this newsletter. Let me know if you try any of them! And, as always, if you have any questions or are interested in discussing your specific issues more, you can always call my office.
–Dr. Tom Sladic
–Dr. Tom Sladic
To order supplements or bloodwork, call (248) 912-2962.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Gut-Wrenching Truth: The Autoimmune Connection in Crohn’s, Celiac, and IBS
2. 3 Tips for Surviving Freezing Temperatures
From Stomach to Large Intestines: Your Guide to Optimal Gut Health
3. Chicken, Leek, and Blue Cheese Pilaf
Beating Fatigue and Depression: Lizzie’s Success Story With Natural Supplements
4. Sleep Position Secrets
Dreams are mysterious journeys into our subconscious. They can be filled with strange places, familiar faces, or bizarre scenarios. While the content of your dreams may seem random, research suggests the position you sleep in can influence their nature and intensity. A DREAMER’S GUIDE: The Link Between Sleep Positions and Dreams fragmented sleep and may increase the likelihood of vivid and intense dreams because you’re more likely to reach REM sleep. Prone (On Your Stomach) Sleeping face down is associated with more restless sleep, less REM, and potentially fewer dreams, meaning your dreams will be less vivid and memorable.
The Impact of Sleep Position on Dreams The way you sleep can affect how often you enter the rapid eye movement (REM)
Lateral (On Your Side) Sleeping on your side, particularly in the fetal position, commonly leads
stage and, consequently, the types of dreams you experience. While researchers can’t conclusively identify the relationship between sleeping positions and dreams, they have reached some research- based theories.
to emotional dreams, possibly due to the sense of vulnerability or comfort this position provides.
While sleep position can influence the frequency and nature of your dreams, it’s only one piece of the dream puzzle! Dreams remain a complex aspect of human consciousness, but it’s pretty neat to know that how you sleep may play a part!
Supine (On Your Back) Sleeping on your back allows for more unobstructed breathing and less
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