Stewed Healing Apples, butyrate: repairing the gut lining (apple recipe and a great scientific explanation of why it works)

In one of my first posts on this blog I took about some core aspects of my approach to getting into / staying in remission – two of these are restoring/supporting a healthy microbiome (avoid food and ingredients that degrade it + consume what supports it), and likewise with the gut lining. For instance, I was never a big drinker but after my last flare over a year ago, I quit drinking totally since alcohol degrades the microbiome. Some beers also contain carrageenan which is also something UC’ers (and everyone perhaps) should avoid (I posted on this earlier as well).

Please see the full recipe / scientific rationale here (and download your PDF here) – thank you Michael Ash (who I don’t know) for his efforts.

Is this a Perfect Functional Meal for Mucosal Tolerance?

Stewed Healing Apples and Immune CofactorsRecipe (c/o Michael Ash)

Ingredients for primary stage* 6 Bramley cooking apples (or apples of choice preferably grown organically)

* 1/2 cup water

* 1/2 cup raisins/sultanas (for added sweetness and fibre)

* 2 tsp. cinnamon DirectionsPeel and core the apples and chop them into small evenly sized pieces.Put all the ingredients in a covered, heavy-bottomed pan and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Cook until soft with rough shapes, no longer identifiable as apple slices. The colour should be a russet brown with the cinnamon effect.These may be eaten warm, or cold. I suggest making up as many ramekins (sized to hold 1 – 1.5 apple equivalent in each and covered and put in the fridge for easy recovery and to avoid food deviation due to lack of availability and so maintain compliance.Ingredients for secondary stage

* 1 tsp. of larch arabinogalactans stirred into the apple to add sweetness – if required

* 1 Saccharomyces Boulardii 250mg capsule sprinkled on the top – or swallowed separately * 1 mix of Bifidobacteria (mixed strains) (500mg) 5billion CFU sprinkled on top – or swallowed separately

* 1 x LGG sprinkled on top – or swallowed separately

* ½ container of organic natural yogurt (dairy) or soy equivalent approx. 75mg * Add 6-8 blueberries and 4-5 almonds in their skins * Finally, if required, a teaspoon of Manuka honey

Hydrogen Sulfide vs. Butyrate

If you have IBD, this is something you should know about. I try to avoid high sulfur foods (list forthcoming) in favor of low-sulfur ones.

A common theme of this blog (and my health efforts) that I urge you to consider for yourself (in whatever way makes sense for you) is to eat things that support the gut lining and a healthy microbiome, and that reduce inflammation. And avoid foods/ingredients that degrade the microbiome, increase intestinal permeability (and/or damage the intestines), and cause inflammation.

My hope is that this blog will serve as a resource that helps you discern what these foods/ingredients are (backed by science and evidence).

Thanks for joining me!

The raison d’être of this blog is to share open source health information – without any profit motive – that may be of interest to those afflicted with Colitis/IBD and/or researchers.

I am not a doctor, I am not a scientist. I had the misfortune of being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 26 years old. I’ve had it for nearly 20 years and as it’s incurable by modern medicine, I’ve basically been my own guinea pig, deep-diving into research, experimenting with lifestyle, supplements, and nutrition in search of effective remedies.

This blog is the product of that effort.

NOTE: These are my opinions – not medical advice. Always consult your doctor regarding your health, nutrition, and supplement choices.

-The Colitist