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A researcher has discovered that phloretin, which is a natural flavonoid found in apples, can prevent the formation of E. coli O157:H7 biofilms, thus offering a possible defense against E. coli infections from infected vegetables, etc., such as has happened in the past. But much more important than that, (to us, at least), is the discovery that in the test tube, (and in rats), phloretin is capable of controlling the inflammation of colitis more effectively than mesalamine.
“Also, importantly, our results confirmed that phloretin shows anti-inflammatory properties in both the in vitro and in vivo inflammatory colitis models. The effect of phloretin was noticeably more pronounced than that of the conventional [inflammatory bowel disease] drug 5-aminosalicylic acid.”
That raises the question of whether an apple a day might help to keep colitis away. Might enough applesauce in the diet actually be more effective at controlling MC than mesalamine? Time will tell. This is an interesting development - one of those concepts with potential for providing a new treatment method in the future.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
If only apples weren't so contaminated with arsenic
But seriously, I've been giving my son an apple a day for snack for the last few months. He's had on and off loose stool and digestive symptoms for a long time. We haven't noticed any irregularities in months, so maybe the apples are helping? He eats them peel and all.
Zizzle wrote:But seriously, I've been giving my son an apple a day for snack for the last few months. He's had on and off loose stool and digestive symptoms for a long time. We haven't noticed any irregularities in months, so maybe the apples are helping? He eats them peel and all.
Could be. At the very least, that's an interesting coincidence. Keep us posted. Maybe you're onto something.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I eat at least an apple a day, sometimes more. It was the first raw fruit (except for an occasional banana) that I added back into my diet. They are well-tolerated.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
I'm thinking that something like this might help to minimize the effects of trace amounts of cross-contamination that are so difficult to avoid in so many foods these days. It might be just as good as a limited version of an anti-zonulin pill.
Apples also contain a significant amount of malic acid, which may be the ingredient that seems to make acetamiophen, (Tylenol), work faster and more effectively for me.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Interesting. I've been eating an apple every afternoon for 4-5 months and my bowels have been normal (oops - Norman) just about every day - ever since I quit coffee, that is. I'm also down to one Entocort every other day. Even had a little gluten the last two days and no issues so far. (I'd put the fingers crossed emoticon in here if I could find it. LOL)
I've been cooking up some apples, my favorite are Macs or Macoun, in the oven with some honey, a little clarified butter, cinnamon and nutmeg. I do peel them. So good. I was only eating them occassionally, will be eating more as a mid-day snack.