The Current Message
May 18, 2013 — Grand Rapids, MI
Bacterial Transplant for Ulcerative ColitisChildren with ulcerative colitis live lives filled with chronic pain, a fear of food that may cause symptoms; with ten or more bowel movements per day during flare-ups, kids suffer constant stress from knowing they can’t be too far from a bathroom. Parents with children who have ulcerative colitis would do just about anything to help their children. A recent pilot study may provide a solution—what the head of the study called the ultimate probiotic. It’s exciting stuff, but be warned that this gets icky due to the nature of the transplant.
In a study that was published online in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, researchers reported the results of a novel way of helping children afflicted with this disease: a fecal transplant. The stool is collected from a healthy adult, usually a parent, and prepared for transplant. The stool is diluted with saline, filtered, and then administered over an hour via enema; the material is held by the patient as long as they’re able. The treatment is repeated for five consecutive days. As in Thursday’s message, the goal is to share helpful bacteria from parent to child.
The results were amazing. Of the ten children, three stayed symptom free for at least a month and six had improvements which lasted at least a month; one child was unable to retain the enema. While just a pilot study, for 30% of the subjects to have no flare-ups and 60% to have a benefit such as a drop from ten to five bowel movements per day certainly positively affects the lives of those kids and their families. There’s a lot of research to go, but it seems hopeful.
I told you the probiotics studies were amazing, but I think they illustrate the power of good bacteria. That’s why probiotics are on my basic list of supplements for every man, women, and child. Most of the foods we eat are overcooked to kill the bad bacteria, so supplementation is really the only choice. There’s nothing to lose and your health to gain.
What are you prepared to do today?Reference: doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318292fa0dDr. Chet
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