Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that causes severe inflammation of the large intestine. There are at least five to 10 incidences of ulcerative colitis per 100,000 people in our country. Suffering from ulcerative colitis can be overwhelming since it is a chronic or a long-term disease. Hence it is essential to manage symptoms of this chronic disease with dietary and lifestyle changes. Here are some useful tips for managing ulcerative colitis naturally:

• Lifestyle changes
  Simple lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight management can increase the energy levels and improve the patient’s metabolism and aid in digestion. This can help reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
• Dietary changes
  This is one of the most important aspects that help in managing ulcerative colitis. A person suffering from this chronic disease should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can be especially helpful in managing diarrhea, a symptom of ulcerative colitis.
• Include more vitamin D
  Ulcerative colitis strips the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, which can result in vitamin deficiency and bone loss. Hence it is recommended to include dairy products and dark leafy green in daily diet.
• Portion control
  This is one of the most important tips for managing ulcerative colitis. Dieticians and gastroenterologists recommend eating small meals at regular intervals rather than large meals in spaced-out intervals. This can ease the stress on the digestion process, thereby reducing the risk of ulcerative colitis flare-ups.
• Low-fiber diet
  A diet high in fibrous foods increases the load on the digestive system as it takes a longer time to process. This can aggravate ulcerative colitis. So, it is highly recommended to switch to low-fiber foods like cooked lean meat, freshly cooked seedless and skinless vegetables, white bread, rice, and pasta.
• Dairy alternatives for lactose intolerant
  People who are lactose intolerant can experience bloating, which can make it even more uncomfortable if they have ulcerative colitis. Hence it is recommended to switch to dairy alternatives like soy milk, fermented cheese, and tofu to manage ulcerative colitis with lactose intolerance better.
• Improve gut flora
  Gut flora is good bacteria residing in the digestive tract that helps in processing food. Probiotics can help flourish bacteria in the digestive system. Since suffering from ulcerative colitis can make it difficult to process food, including probiotics in the daily diet can provide relief from ulcerative colitis symptoms. Some probiotics that can be included in daily diet are yogurt, kefir, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, and sauerkraut.
• Herbal medicines
  Herbal plants such as andrographis paniculata, aloe vera, wheatgrass, plantago ovata, and boswellia serrata are full of antioxidants. It has been observed that these plants help improve immunity and aid in proper digestion. Hence consult with a doctor if these can be used with traditional medications to treat ulcerative colitis.