colitis can cause untold misery. This inflammatory disease of the colon can lead to excruciating pain, unremitting diarrhea alternating with constipation, and bleeding during bowel movements. Ulcerative colitis is colitis that has begun to permanently damage the intestinal lining.

One solution might be juice therapy.

Liquid fasting with fresh juices

Dr. Breda Gardner, an Irish physician, recommends healing the colon with a period of liquid fasting, in which only natural fruit juices are consumed—called “juice therapy” in the US. The fast can last from a day to weeks, depending on the weight, general health, and vitality of the patient. Many colitis patients are underweight and would not be able to sustain a juice therapy fast of several days.

What juices are best for juice therapy? Carrot and apple juice are the top choices. During the liquid juice therapy fast, two types of herbal tea – slippery elm and comfrey – may be consumed. Both teas should be taken warm.

At the end of the liquid juice therapy fast, steamed vegetables may be introduced as tolerated.

Which fruits work best?

Fruits and vegetables used for juice therapy are traditionally used whole, but in the case of colitis patients, undigested particles of the fruit or vegetable rind (or skin) may be irritating to an already-inflamed digestive tract. Therefore, for colitis patients, peeling the fruits and vegetables before juicing may yield a more digestible juice therapy beverage.

Bananas and avocados may be especially helpful in a colitis juice therapy fast because both foods can have a soothing effect on the colon. Both fruits also help thicken fruit juice blends, making them more like “smoothies.” Some colitis patients find adding pulverized ice or frozen vegetables to their fresh juices make them more palatable, but others find the juices are least irritating when consumed at room temperature.

The risks of a low-fiber diet

Traditional treatment for ulcerative colitis includes a low-fiber, bland diet. But new research shows that a low-fiber diet can actually trigger inflammation in some individuals. The bowel is meant to handle a certain amount of fiber, which signals other parts of the digestive tract to release enzymes.

Gardner says that lack of fiber can lead to congestion of the lymphatic system, which may result in toxins being dumped into the bloodstream.

Preventing colitis

To prevent colitis, Gardner suggests maintaining a high-fiber diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as psyllium husks (like those found in the US product Metamucil). juice therapy involving substituting the juices of fresh fruit and vegetables for one meal a day may be helpful for those colitis patients who are not underweight.

Gardner recommends testing the diet for possible allergens. Among the most common dietary allergens are dairy and wheat. Soy, rice, or almond milk may help avoid problems with lactose intolerance, and many gluten-free products including breads are available. Other common allergens are peanuts and shellfish like shrimp, items which can easily be eliminated from the diet for a period of time. Certain fruits, such as strawberries, also are high on the food allergen list, but other berries are generally not allergic triggers and can be safely used in juice therapy. By eliminating one food at a time for a period of two weeks, colitis patients will be able to see if the food may be causing colitis.

Because colitis also has been linked to stress, many colitis sufferers find relief after beginning a program of mild exercise and daily meditation. American Dr. Andrew Weil says daily exercise combined with Omega-3 fish oil supplements are equal in effectiveness to most anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pharmaceutical medications.

Precautions for juice therapy and colitis

Take sensible precautions before beginning a juice therapy fast to treat colitis. Be sure your health care provider has diagnosed your condition and approves of your attempt to use juice therapy as a treatment, and let your health care provider monitor your progress regularly. Anyone having acute symptoms of colitis, including cramping pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, should be under continuous medical care until the symptoms are resolved.

Sources: The Irish newspaper Waterford Today and Dr. Andrew Weil, with contributions by AltMeds.com editorial staff.