Ginger improves symptoms of ulcerative colitis, enhances quality of life

 Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition affecting more than 750,000 people in North America. The disorder, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causes open sores or ulcers to develop in the lining of the large intestine. Unlike Crohn's, another form of IBD that can affect the entire digestive tract, colitis affects only the inner surface of the large intestine.

UC is considered to be incurable, however patients must seek to manage their symptoms. Untreated UC can cause long-term damage to the colon and increases risks of colon and anal cancers. Fortunately, natural options such as ginger may help.

Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms and the activity of free radicals, errant electrons that are known to cause damage to healthy cells and tissues.Oxidative stress is believed to play an essential role in the initiation and severity of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Researchers at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, explored the use of ginger (scientific name: Zingiber officinale), a well-known antioxidant plant root, on the quality of life, disease activity and oxidative stress of patients with UC....<<<Read More>>>....