Paleo Diet for Ulcerative Colitis: 10 Gut-Healing Foods

If you or a loved one is dealing with the challenges of ulcerative colitis, you’re likely on a quest for dietary solutions that can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall gut health.

Research shows that changing your diet may improve certain ulcerative colitis symptoms. Enter the Paleo Diet– it’s a nutrition plan inspired by our ancestors’ eating habits. The emphasis on whole foods is gaining attention for its potential benefits in managing this inflammatory bowel condition.

In this post, we’ll delve into the paleo diet and talk about gut-healing foods to support your journey to better digestive health.

But First, What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mainly affecting the colon and rectum. It is characterized by the presence of open sores or ulcers on the colon and rectum’s inner lining.

UC is an autoimmune condition, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies and attacks the healthy tissues of the digestive tract, causing inflammation. Generally, IBD is a common condition. According to estimates, about 1 in 552 adults in the United States are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when they are in their 20s or 30s.

Here’s a rundown on how this condition affects individuals:

Gastrointestinal symptoms: UC leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, which can be frequent and urgent. This can result in dehydration, weight loss, abdominal pain, and cramping.
Bloody stools: The ulcers in the colon and rectum can cause bleeding. While having blood in the stool is a common symptom of UC, the severity of bleeding can vary among individuals.
Fatigue: Chronic inflammation and frequent bowel movements lead to fatigue, which can significantly affect a person’s quality of life.
Loss of appetite: Many individuals with UC experience a loss of appetite due to the persistent symptoms. This can lead to poor nutrition and unintentional weight loss.
Urgency and incontinence: The urgency to have a bowel movement and the inability to control it (incontinence) can be distressing for individuals with UC. This can impact their daily activities and social life.
Fever: In some cases, UC can lead to fever, which is a sign of inflammation and infection. Elevated body temperature can be a result of the body’s immune response.
Joint pain: UC is associated with extraintestinal symptoms, including joint pain and inflammation. This can lead to conditions like arthritis.
Skin and eye problems: Some individuals with UC may experience skin rashes, eye inflammation, and other related issues, indicating the systemic nature of the disease.
Psychological impact: The chronic nature of UC and its symptoms can have a significant psychological impact. Individuals may experience anxiety, depression, and stress due to the unpredictability of flare-ups and the effect on their daily lives.
Treatment challenges: Managing UC often involves a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications, and, in severe cases, surgery to remove the affected part of the colon. Finding the right treatment may take time, and it can be difficult to control symptoms.

Ulcerative colitis affects individuals physically and emotionally. It presents different gastrointestinal symptoms, can lead to complications, and may require ongoing medical management.

The impact of UC on individuals can be profound, and a multidisciplinary approach, involving healthcare providers and, in some cases, mental health professionals, is crucial for comprehensive care and support.

What Is the Paleo Diet and Why Is It Good for Ulcerative Colitis?

The paleo diet, short for the Paleolithic diet, is a nutritional approach inspired by the dietary habits of our ancient ancestors. It emphasizes the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods that would have been available to our hunter-gatherer forebears.

The fundamental principles of the paleo diet revolve around these four things.

Whole Foods

The diet encourages the consumption of unprocessed, whole foods such as lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Elimination of Processed Foods

It emphasizes the exclusion of processed foods, refined sugars, grains, and dairy products.

Focus on Quality Proteins

The diet promotes the intake of high-quality, lean proteins that are easier to digest and gentler for the gut.

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil are central to the diet, offering an alternative energy source and anti-inflammatory properties.

Reduced Inflammation

The paleo diet is often recognized for its potential to reduce chronic inflammation, which is a key concern for individuals with ulcerative colitis.

The Benefits

Paleo diet can be a valuable dietary approach for managing UC as you enjoy the following benefits:

Inflammation Reduction

Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of UC, leading to painful flare-ups and long-term damage to the colon. The paleo diet’s emphasis on whole, anti-inflammatory foods may help reduce overall inflammation in the body, offering relief for UC patients.

The Paleo philosophy encourages grass-fed beef, wild salmon, and free-range eggs, all of which are sustainably farmed and ethically sourced. These lead to a higher intake of nutrients as well as the right ratio of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Having the correct ratio of Omega results in the overall reduction of inflammation.

Gut Microbiome Support

The gut microbiome is a group of microorganisms in the digestive tract that plays an important role in overall health. Gut microbiome imbalance, known as dysbiosis, has been associated with a range of digestive and autoimmune conditions, including ulcerative colitis.

Having a balanced gut microbiome is critical to maintaining digestive health. The paleo diet includes fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha, which introduce beneficial probiotics promoting gut health.

Reduced Irritants

One of the central principles of paleo diet is the absence of grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. Grains contain compounds like gluten and lectins, which can be irritants for some individuals.

Gluten, in particular, is known to trigger digestive discomfort in people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. By removing grains, the paleo diet reduces the potential source of irritation for those with these sensitivities, possibly leading to improved digestive comfort.

The paleo diet offers a promising approach to managing ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation, supporting the gut microbiome, and providing nutrient-dense foods. When combined with careful monitoring and professional guidance, it can be a valuable tool in your journey to better digestive health.

10 Gut-Healing Foods to Try

Here are gut-healing foods that you can incorporate into your paleo diet to support your journey to better digestive health.