Heal Crohn's Naturally
People with Crohn’s disease often have a gut microbiome that’s out of balance. They tend to have less microbial diversity than healthy individuals, meaning they’re missing some of the helpful bacteria—like Bifidobacterium that normally support gut health. At the same time, levels of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, are often higher than they should be.
When the microbiome is imbalanced, few important things can go wrong:
The gut lining can become "leaky," which means bacteria and toxins slip through into the bloodstream and trigger immune reactions where they don’t belong. The immune system can become confused and start attacking not just harmful invaders but also the body’s own healthy tissue.
The good bacteria stop producing key compounds like short-chain fatty acids, which normally calm inflammation and keep the gut lining strong.
The inflammation from Crohn’s can disrupt the microbiome, and a disrupted microbiome can make the inflammation worse.
But the good news are that we now have tools to understand and support the gut in a much more personalized way. With advanced stool testing, we can get a clear picture of what’s going on in the microbiome. From there, we can create tailored diet plans and recommend specific probiotics to help bring things back into balance, naturally and effectively. Save, like and share and follow me for more valuble content about gut health
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic microbial, immunologic gastrointestinal pathology, named after the researcher who first discovered it. The disease is manifested by the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. throughout its duration, the inflammation can be either continuous or in segments.
Most often Crohn's disease will appear primarily in the small intestine, usually in the part which is closest to the colon- the distal ileum, but it can also appear in many other areas of the body starting from the mouth and all the way to the rectum, combining all layers of the intestinal wall.
The disease starts with a superficial inflammation that spreads affecting the lymph nodes and blood vessels causing a thickening of the intestinal wall. This chronic tissue inflammation can cause complications such as ulcers, cysts, and fistulas- an abnormal connection between intestine and the internal organs such as the uterus, vagina, or stomach.
The disease appears to be equally prevalent in men and women, affecting mainly young people in their teens and twenties. At the onset of the disease, it tends to have a chronic nature with occasional flare-ups and remission.
The cause of the disease is unknown. Many studies have been conducted on the different types of bacteria that might be responsible for Crohn's, but as of today, there are no definitive research results.
The theory that exists today talks about an autoimmune source of the disease, that is, a kind of abnormal immune response against the gastrointestinal mucous that has been linked to psychosomatic causes such as stress or trauma.
Other possible causes include nutritional deficiencies, genetic predisposition, bacterial or parasitic infections, antibiotics, and food allergies.
Why Test Your Microbiome for Crohn's Disease?
Living with Crohn's disease can feel like navigating uncharted waters. Your symptoms flare and subside, treatments work then stop, and sometimes it's hard to know what's actually happening inside your body. That's where looking at your gut microbiome - the community of microorganisms living in your digestive tract - can make all the difference.
Testing your gut microbiome can help you catch problems before they get worse. Crohn's often sneaks up on you with subtle signs before causing serious damage. By examining your gut bacteria, we can spot trouble brewing. Stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue - these symptoms could be Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, or even IBS. Your microbiome pattern provides important clues to ensure you're getting the right diagnosis and appropriate treatment, not just addressing symptoms.
When certain helpful bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (which naturally fight inflammation) start disappearing, it's often an early warning signal. Meanwhile, troublemakers like certain strains of E. coli might be multiplying, damaging your gut lining before symptoms become severe.
Finding these patterns early means you and your doctor can take action during that critical window when interventions can actually change your disease course.
Everyone's Crohn's is different, and so is everyone's microbiome. Testing reveals what's actually happening in your unique gut
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Maybe you're low on bacteria that produce butyrate (a substance that helps heal your gut wall)
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Perhaps you have an overgrowth of certain fungi triggering inflammation
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Or you might have microbes that slow gut movement, worsening constipation
These insights help target treatments specifically to your body's needs, whether through medication adjustments, dietary changes, or specific probiotics.
Perhaps most valuable is the ability to spot trouble before a full flare hits. Changes in your microbiome often precede symptoms by weeks. Regular testing can help you and your doctor take preventive action - adjusting medications, diet, or stress management before you end up in pain or the hospital.
The benefits extend throughout your body. Balancing your gut microbes can help repair your intestinal lining, reduce inflammatory molecules circulating in your bloodstream, and potentially lower your risk of complications beyond the gut.
By understanding what's happening at the microbial level, you can move from constantly reacting to flares toward preventing them in the first place - giving you back control over your health and your life.
Conventional treatment
The standard approach to treating Crohn's is to reduce the inflammatory process in the intestinal wall. The drugs which are given in the initial phase are from the aminosalicylate group of medicines with the active ingredient mesalazine (Pentasa, Rafassal, Asacol).
In more severe cases, the doctor will recommend stronger drugs such as steroids or immunosuppressive drugs such as Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin), and Azathioprine (Imuran) .
In cases of infections, antibiotics will be given.
In addition, there are newer drugs such as Infliximab (Remicade) or Adalimumab (Humira) based on a TNF antagonist which is a protein that is secreted in the inflamed areas and increases tissue damage.
Also, during severe flare-ups that require hospitalization, fasting, and intravenous feeding are sometimes performed.
If the disease persists, worsens, and does not respond to the drug treatment, there is a need to perform surgery to remove the inflamed part of the intestine and drain the abscesses (wounds).
How Can Naturopathy Help?
Naturopathy supports Crohn’s by addressing inflammation, enhancing digestion, and fortifying the immune system.
Through personalised treatment plans, I help you integrate dietary adjustments, focusing on anti-inflammatory foods that minimise digestive strain.
Supplements like probiotics and digestive enzymes aid gut flora balance and nutrient absorption, often impacted by Crohn’s.
I guide you with herbal treatments, which were scientifically proven to soothe inflammation, and provide stress-relieving practices like mindfulness, helping you manage flare-ups for lasting wellness.
Everyone’s body and triggers are unique, which is why a personalised approach is essential to finding lasting relief and balance. If you have questions or would like to explore a tailored plan, please get in touch or book an introductory call to discuss how I can help.
FAQ
Have questions? We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common ones to help you on your wellness journey.