Archives: ulcerative colitis

This is for those of you out there who suffer from adult acne. Do you ever wonder why your face always seems to be on fire?

That’s how I look at it – when I see someone with severe acne I think of it as a face that’s on fire, a body that’s screaming on the inside and can only find one way out – through the nasty little pimples that spring up on our faces.

I used to be one of those people too – that’s why I feel it’s ok to write about. Mine was never so severe, but it was there and I didn’t like it. I always noticed that my left side was consistently worse then the right. The way I began to see it was that I had a blockage on the left side – which made complete sense – that’s the side that I feel my colitis act up when I do have a flare up; everything is definitely related.

With the change of my diet and the addition of daily breath exercises I noticed a serious change in my face – it was clear!

I’m sure many of you out there are sick and tired of those ugly little pimples that keep popping out – even for those ladies who only get them near their period. Ask yourself one question? Why?

Now maybe you’ve already asked yourself this question and haven’t found an answer but I know that my body always sends me signals & messages to help me figure out mysteries within my own skin. For me, it was the sugar coupled with stress. So what did I do? I cut down on processed sugars and allow myself to have natural sugars at least once a day – so I’m not completely deprived.

What’s it going to take for you to make a change? Your face is already screaming for help. What else has to scream to make you understand that your body doesn’t like greasy food that gives you heartburn, or tons of sugar filled crap that makes you crash in 1 hours time – see what I’m saying?

Everything’s related.

Change your diet and watch magic happen. Your face will clear, you’ll feel better. Isn’t that what we all want for our new years resolutions anyway?

It’s not as hard as it seems. Take it one step at a time. Change one thing about your diet and see how it makes you feel – then change something else… it’s all about the baby steps.

If you have questions you know I’m always available to chat.

Yours in health,

Shira

This week I had the opportunity to speak at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I gave a lunch lecture speaking about alternative healing, colitis and yoga. The experience was un-like any I’ve ever had before and I felt honored to share my story and how I’ve helped myself heal my colitis and it’s symptoms. The fact that I am spreading the word about alternative healing, and that I am a real life example that it can and does work was amazing for these med students. They love to see results as well as proof that these methods work. I think that’s why they loved my talk so much, besides the fact that I’m close to their age and we can relate to each other too!

I will be posting my lecture in a few different posts, so stay tuned as there will be more to come very soon.

<Hi,

My name is Shira Turkl-Rubin and I have ulcerative colitis. I’m here today to talk to you about how I’ve healed myself using alternative methods such as diet and yoga.

I’ll back up quite a bit and give you some history about myself first.

I grew up in an affluent town in Northern NJ called Tenafly. Throughout my childhood I suffered from frequent stomachaches, which my doctors eluded to me being lacto intolerant. That may have been the case, but my stomachaches were no small matter, and they kept getting worse. There came a point when I was around 12 years old that I noticed blood in my stool. I thought maybe it would go away but finally my parents decided to take me to the GI doctor who ran some tests and sent me for a colonscopy.

They found out I had proctitis – inflammation of the rectum. They wanted to put me on oral steroids for the rest of my life, and my parents, being a bit alternative themselves, decided to go the natural route and found a vitamin regiment to put me on.

For many years I took L-glutamine, fish oil, acidolophilous, vitamin E and a multi vitamin. This worked for a while, although I would still sometimes see blood in the stool anyway, but the stomach aches were less. As I grew older, my stress levels grew larger and the stomach aches would return.

Finally I went to college and found yoga. I took my stressed out, lack of sleep body to the yoga studio where I learned the proper way to breathe, move my body and de-stress. I felt great. I continued going to the same class every week as I found it to be my place to relax.

When I was a junior in college, I signed up to study abroad in Barcelona and knew my yoga regiment would be put on hold. Studying abroad was so much fun, but it took a great big toll on my body. I was eating foods I wasn’t used to, drinking coffee everyday and was stressed from missing my friends and family back at home. There were times of struggle While I was gone – my cat who was alive for 20 years died, as well as my aunt, she suffered from Pancreatic cancer and died a week after I returned home. I was a stress case to say the least and had no clue that my stomachaches were getting worse because of it. I noticed cramping, bloating, mucus and blood in my stool and I knew something wasn’t right.

After talking with my parents and doctor, we signed me up for another colonoscopy. The result was ulcerative colitis. My doctor prescribed me nightly enemas to ease my symptoms – sure, the enemas helped somewhat, but they were no cure.>

This is only the beginning of my story and you will see more of it in my next post.

Cheers to spreading the word about alternative health.

Shira

Today was an intense day. Colonoscopy day. If you’re under 50 and reading this post, I don’t expect you to understand what it’s like to have this procedure done – but let me tell you, once 50 hits oh man do you all have a treat coming for you!

No, but really – it’s not SO bad, except that it’s bad. HA.

It’s not like I’ve never had this before either. I had my first procedure when I was 13! Can you believe it, little Shira walking into that hospital, brave as can be not knowing what in the world the outcome would be. Now here I am 12 years later doing the exact same procedure, although this time wasn’t in a hospital and my Dr. was new to me.

Well I’ll walk you through it – yesterday I had to drink 2 bottles of magnesium citrate, which tastes like a gross lemon soda and makes me gag after the first sip. Before the procedure I asked my Dr. if I could chase this lovely liquid with coconut water and he sort of looked at me sideways… “you’re the first person to ever ask that before” Well that’s not so surprising since people usually drink Gatorade or some other crap filled drink which I’m simply not into. I needed to keep my electrolytes in check and not throw up the liquid, so coconut water it was – as long as what I drank was clear it was good to go.

Let’s just say I was in the bathroom for the whole night…………

To top it off, I wasn’t even finished by the morning. I woke up at 5am to let it out……….

I won’t go into too much detail, but you get where I’m going with this.

Anyway I arrived at the facility, which was very nice – it was my first time there. When called, I was told to take everything off and put on the robe. As I lay on the bed freezing my butt off I stared up at the fluorescent-lit ceiling praying that the outcome of this procedure would be a good one. All my stress for the past couple of weeks was about to be over, finished and done with.

As I was rolled into the procedure room, my yogic breath flowing through my body, the anesthesiologist came by my side prepping me for a lovely rest. Right before he put me under he said “happy Bastille day everyone!” All I could do was laugh. The next thing I knew I was awake with the worst bellyache ever and tears running down my face. I was so emotional and happy that the procedure was over but still nervous to chat with the Dr. about the results.

Chad came in to sit with me while I got my bearings and brought me the most beautiful sunflowers ever.

These sunflowers immediately turned my frown upside down!

Finally it was time to talk with the Dr. The most important question of the day was “how does today’s outcome compare to the last procedure done in 2009?” He said he had to go check last years results. I waited patiently.

The outcome:

2009: Colitis was 11-12cm up the colon

2011: Colitis was 2-3cm up the colon and now only in the rectum making it proctitis!!!!!!

Here’s what the Dr. Said after he told me these results:

“Wow, the Rowasa enemas must really be working.”

I didn’t say a word –

The truth:

I BARELY ever take the Rowasa enemas!!! This reversal is all me baby!!

WOW!!!!!!! I’ve done it………… No, it’s not completely gone yet, and I have this strange feeling of not wanting to be happy about this information because I’m worried that I’ll jinx it or something – but when I really think about it, I’M SO HAPPY!!! And excited that all the work I’ve done on myself is finally paying off.

I’m not sure if there are any cases of colitis being reversed…. But I’m getting pretty damn close…..

I’m really excited to share this great news with everyone and I hope you can have the same success as me with whatever it is that your working on disease wise.

If you do the work, it truly is possible – miracles can happen.

Cheers to that and feeling great!

Love,

Shira

As the month of March progresses I am optimistic that Spring is slowly inching closer with each day. The best part about Spring is the cleanse that we all know we need after hibernating all Winter long. Well, for me, after a week of my stomach feeling a bit off with the usual bloating, pains and mucus I decided to take my cleanse now.

Why is it that after all I do for myself, I still have these flare-ups? I am constantly asking myself this question, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it is and always will be a work in progress. Today I feel better, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I won’t worry about tomorrow today though – staying present and in the moment only helps my tummy feel better. Luckily I know the tools to get myself out of the funk and am grateful for that everyday.

As a yoga teacher, I have really stressed this topic of staying in the moment with all of my students. Snap into the now and focus on how your body is feeling right this second. Whatever you’re feeling, just notice it, breathe into it and live it.

I find that when my stomach bothers me, instead of obsessing constantly about why it’s like this, what I ate or stressed about to bring myself into this state – I close my eyes and take at least 2 rounds of a breathing exercise. Here’s the one I love, which always calms my mind/thoughts without fail every time.

It’s a 4-7-8 ratio breath. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts and exhale for 8 counts. Do between 1-5 rounds of this and wow will you feel lighter, more clear and alive all at the same time.

Try it! It can’t hurt.

Happy breathing 🙂

Kuzu Root

I have found another miracle given to us in plant form. Kuzu – or you may know it as kudzu root. This particular root has managed to grow all across the southern states of the U.S. causing lots of headaches for many. Well, maybe if they knew how to use the kudzu in a medicinal way, then they would no longer have the headache!

The Chinese and Japanese cultures have used this starchy root to aid in the healing of many illnesses including colitis :). It is also used:

– To relieve tiredness and restore vitality.

– To treat digestive and intestinal issues such as indigestion

– For colds, which are often related to intestinal weakness.

– As a drink to relieve over acidity, bacterial infection and excess water in the case of diarrhea.

– To bring quick relief from abdominal pain and intestinal irritation.

– To combat alcoholism

– For anxiety and insomnia or sleep deprivation***

In addition to medicinal use, it is also used to thicken foods instead of using cornstarch.

This list can go on, but I’ll stop there. I think you get the point that this root has incredible medicinal properties. For me, I take it at night to help me sleep and lower any anxiety that I may be having. Of course I use it for my colitis as well, but love the fact that it helps me sleep better. Amazing…

Here’s how I use it before bedtime.

Take one spoonful of the starchy chunks and mix them with about ¼ cup of apple juice or any juice that you have around the house. You only need a small amount of juice to dissolve the root so you can drink it down. It doesn’t have a taste so there’s nothing to worry about with that.

You can buy kuzu in the Asian section of your grocery store or health food store where they sell the seaweed, soy sauce etc…

I think this is some really important information to help heal any gastro problems you may be having – or any anxiety that you might be experiencing.

Take this advice and use it well! Share it with others.

Sleep well.

Wheatgrass in it's original state

Not only have I been on a green juice kick but I’ve also started getting into wheatgrass shots. Some people say EW… but to me – I’d rather take a tiny shot filled with incredible healing powers then let’s say take a shot of vodka… and you know we’ve all had our share of vodka shots… c’mon let’s be honest here.

You’ve gotta weigh your options. Health?? Or being drunk?? I know what I would choose but if you’re choosing the not so healthy option – then you might want to take a good look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that this is the only body you’ve got and you better start treating it properly or else…

So why am I that intrigued by wheatgrass? Well it’s been known to specifically heal ulcers, which is fantastic for my ulcerative colitis and for anyone else suffering from this too. Your energy level gets a nice boost as well as your immune system. It helps fight bad breath and it definitely keep the doctor away.

It’s said that 1 ounce of wheatgrass is equivalent to 2 1/2 pounds of leafy green vegetables! From one tiny shot! This stuff is pure magic…

My advice, get to a juice bar and give yourself that incredible boost you deserve. Since the shots are not super cheap, I’ve decided that instead of getting my daily cup of tea for $2 and change I will get the wheatgrass shot for $2-3 and call it a day.

Happy juicing!

Green Juice Deliciousness

I apologize for not writing sooner – besides the fact that I was traveling for the past week, I also haven’t been feeling my best.

I realize that the best time for me to write a blog post is while I’m not feeling well so that I can share what’s going on with me – In a perfect world I would definitely be doing that, but in reality it’s hard to motivate and feel inspired to write a post – it happens to everyone.

Moving right along, I think the reason I haven’t been feeling my best is because of stress – and we all know how stress ruins our gut.

While I was away, I made it my business to take wheat grass shots everyday, drink green juices, swim in the pool for some exercise, detox in the sauna and drink TONS of water.

I can finally say that I’m feeling better! Having a flare up is probably the worst feeling. I’ve already drastically changed my diet and therefore I shouldn’t be having flare-ups right?? Well… apparently stress outnumbers any type of holistic care/diet that I can give myself.

Besides working on my stress reduction, I am a big proponent in juicing and I’ve found a wonderful article from Dr. Mercola to explain why we should juice.

From Dr. Mercola’s website:

***Here are three main reasons why you will want to consider incorporating vegetable juicing into your optimal health program:

–  Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. This is important because most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less-than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your body’s ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to “pre-digest” them for you, so you will receive most of the nutrition, rather than having it go down the toilet.

–  Juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner. If you are a carb type, you should eat one pound of raw vegetables per 50 pounds of body weight per day. Some people may find that eating many vegetables is difficult, but it can be easily accomplished with a quick glass of vegetable juice.

–   You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. Many people eat the same vegetable salads every day. This violates the principle of regular food rotation and increases your chance of developing an allergy to a certain food. But with juicing, you can juice a wide variety of vegetables that you may not normally enjoy eating whole.

Vegetable Juice is Not a Complete Meal

It is important to note that vegetable juice has very little protein and virtually no fat so by itself it is not really a complete food. It really should be used in addition to your regular meals not in place of it.

So unless you are undergoing some special fasting or detoxification program it is probably unwise to use juicing as a meal replacement. Ideally it can be consumed with your meal or as a between meal snack.

Important to Listen to Your Body

This is partly because you should only start by juicing vegetables that you enjoy eating non-juiced. The juice should taste pleasant — not make you feel nauseous.

It is very important to listen to your body when juicing. Your stomach should feel good all morning long. If it is churning or growling or generally making its presence known, you probably juiced something you should not be eating. ***

Dr. Mercola has some really great tips on juicing and you can find them by clicking here.

If you have any other questions on juicing or why I am so in love with it, please message me.

Hey all:

I’ve found some interesting information regarding blackstrap molasses. Have you heard of it? I’m not talking about using this as a sweetener in your oatmeal – but more of as a supplement to your diet. Apparently for someone needing more iron in their diet, a.k.a. anyone anemic – this is the best way to get it naturally. You have to take the unsulphured, organic kind for it to be effective though.

Take one tablespoon first thing in the morning.

Earth Clinic says that “Regular ole molasses is the first or second boiling of cane sugar syrup while blackstrap is the third boiling of the syrup. Iron levels appear to increase 5% in the 3rd boiling.” There is an entire nutritional chart here including calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and B6. WOW that sounds like a superfood to me…

It’s also been recommended by one of the forum writers for people with ulcerative colitis. So, of course I’m interested and gave it a try. I was skeptical because I’ve always heard that sugar causes mucus and that’s really the last thing that I need added to my diet – BUT regardless of my skepticism I decided to give it a whirl. So far so good… I’ve been feeling great and my belly is also feeling pretty good. I’ve also lowered my intake of other sugar so I’m not overloading my body with any additional mucus!

Something very important to remember is – if you add blackstrap molasses to your diet, even if you don’t have UC – be cautious of any other sugar you put into your body since you are basically starting your day off with one big gulp of sugar – and lots of other vitamins and minerals of course.

I hope this advice will take you far. Pass it on to friends – I think it’s pretty important stuff.

Take care of that temple of yours a.k.a. your body.

I’ve got some news to share – well it’s nothing too ground breaking – but for me and my health, (and possibly yours) it’s quite important.

A couple of posts ago I wrote about the amazing healing properties of apple cider vinegar (ACV).

I do still believe that ACV has those incredible healing properties a.k.a. for a sore throat or one-off stomachache – but for those of us with ulcerative colitis it might not be the greatest remedy to take on a daily basis. After a week of trying it out I’ve come to the conclusion that my stomach is definitely not feeling so hot. I think the acidity was too much for me and it definitely took a toll on me. The only thing I’ve changed in my routine is the ACV so I know it wasn’t due to any other supplements.

With lots of research I’ve figured out how to get my ph levels back to where they should be – I drank hot water with lemon for 2 mornings in a row and I’m starting to feel better again.

I apologize if any of you have had any negative effects from the ACV but it really is just trial and error – one person’s poison is another person’s cure.

I’m still on the search for a replacement for the ACV and will keep you posted on what I find next.

Stay tuned!

Every time I’m having an uncomfortable stomachache, I find myself wondering what type of movement my body needs in that particular moment. Being a yoga teacher this question often comes to mind but is most important when I’m not feeling well.

I’ve noticed that when my stomach feels off, or I’m having a flare up with my ulcerative colitis I want to literally be turned upside down. The feeling is both mental and physical. I don’t like having a stomachache and wish that the situation could be reversed, so I literally take action with those thoughts and turn myself upside down.

I’ve been practicing yoga for quite some time now and therefore my inversion practice is advanced. The reason I stress this is because not everyone can just get in the middle of their living room and come into their headstand. If that’s something that is doable, please go ahead and try it – I guarantee that turning things upside down in your body will be restorative for your organs and will literally force you to clear your head since you will literally be upside down and there won’t be much else to think about.

I know that when I have a stomachache I stress about it, which really doesn’t help my situation because the main reason that I probably have UC is stress related – so you can imagine that the extra stress of having the ache puts me over the edge. WOAH that was tiring even explaining it!

The two inversions that I would recommend trying would be full headstand and shoulder stand. Feel free to the use the wall for support. See the pictures below to get an example of what I’m talking about.

Headstand (photo sourced from yoga-made-ez.com)

Shoulder stand (photo sourced from yoga-made-ez.com)

Another pose that I enjoy coming into for a nice relaxation is legs up the wall pose. Even though it’s not a full inversion, it’s still reversing the blood flow from your legs, which is also very calming and restorative. Since we are constantly turned right side up, any movement or pose that reverses the flow will be a nice shock for the body.

Legs up the Wall (Sourced from Heidiyoga.co.uk)

If you’d like to try this but just aren’t sure how to get started with it – contact me and we can talk about the steps to get you there. I’m always open to bounce ideas off of.

Have fun with your inversion but remember that if you are pregnant, have neck pain, high or low blood pressure, neck injuries, or are menstruating then you should be taking a modification to these inversions which will still be just as beneficial.

Cheers to a beautiful, new, upside down view!