Episode 221

A Functional Medicine Approach to Treating Crohn’s and Colitis

With Nishtha Patel

We see it all the time in Functional Medicine: when the gut isn’t functioning properly, the whole body suffers. For those struggling with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the symptoms can be so severe that every day is painful and filled with uncertainty.

Luckily, by taking away instigators (like gluten and dairy) and looking at the ingredients needed for healing, patients with IBDs can regain digestive balance and take back their quality of life. Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, I talk to Nishtha Patel about her experience in helping her daughter heal from Crohn’s colitis, which is when Crohn’s disease specifically impacts the colon. Symptoms of this disorder range from diarrhea and rectal bleeding to ulcers, fistulas, abscesses, joint pain, and skin lesions. Not to mention, most people dealing with IBDs carry very real emotional burdens as well. 

Nishtha Patel is a Functional Medicine practitioner and clinical nutritionist who specializes in gastrointestinal health. Her journey into this arena started 10 years ago when her child was diagnosed suddenly with indeterminate Crohn’s colitis. She was told that the disease was chronic and there was no cure. 

For more on Nishtha Patel you can follow her on Instagram @TheGutExpert_, on Facebook @TheGutExpert, and through her website https://www.thegutexpert.com/. Follow her daughter Sasha on Instagram @TheNotecook_, and through her website www.thenotecook.com.

Also mentioned in this episode:

 

For more on Dhru Purohit, be sure to follow him on Instagram @dhrupurohit, on Facebook @dhruxpurohit, on Twitter @dhrupurohit, and on YouTube @dhrupurohit. You can also text Dhru at (302) 200-5643 or click here https://my.community.com/dhrupurohit.

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I hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I did.
Wishing you health and happiness.
Dhru Purohit

In this Episode, you will learn

  1. Nishtha’s experience helping her daughter heal from Crohn’s colitis
    (7:22)
  2. The difference between Crohn’s and colitis
    (25:58)
  3. Why IBDs are on the rise
    (31:04)
  4. The problem with gluten and dairy when it comes to IBDs
    (34:56)
  5. Foods that are considered healthy, but may impact someone with Crohn’s and colitis 
    (43:20)
  6. Why nightshade vegetables may be challenging for some people
    (53:07)
  7. How to prepare beans and legumes so they are easier to digest
    (56:49)
  8. How stress impacts gut health
    (1:02:31)
  9. How Nishtha’s daughter is doing today
    (1:22:27)
  10. Cure vs. remission when it comes to IBDs  
    (1:24:31)

Guest

 
Dhru Purohit

Dhru is the host of the Dhru Purohit Show, a top 30 health podcast with over 30 million downloads. His interviews focus on the inner workings of the brain and the body and feature the brightest minds in wellness, medicine, and mindset.

Dhru Purohit is also a serial entrepreneur and investor in the health and wellness industry.

 
Nishtha Patel

Nishtha Patel is a functional medicine practitioner and clinical nutritionist who specializes in gastrointestinal health. Her journey into this arena started 10 years ago when her child was diagnosed suddenly with indeterminate Crohn’s colitis. She was told that the disease was chronic and there was no cure. Nishtha decided to take control and started researching every paper, book and resource she could find. She changed her daughter’s diet and implemented lifestyle, supplements and other factors, and after 9 months of doing this the doctor was shocked that she had a clear colonoscopy. It was at this time she had started studying nutrition and then went on to study functional medicine. To date she has helped hundreds of patients get to the root cause of their illness. 

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