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Does MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) supplementation improve Crohn's symptoms?

Are the Health Benefits of MSM Related to Sulfur?: "As I’ve said, sulfur is an emerging stealth player in nutrition and for a variety of mechanisms, including the detox and anti-inflammatory pathways. Remember, if you don’t have enough sulfur in your diet, you’re not going to be able to naturally produce glutathione, which is absolutely essential for removing heavy metals and many of the toxins you’re exposed to. People who might want to consider using some supplemental sulfur sources such as MSM include those who have: Chronic inflammatory conditions Aches and pains / sore muscles and achy joints" 'via Blog this'

Do cruciferous vegetables improve Crohn's?

Indole-3-carbinol from Wikipedia

"... produced by the breakdown of the glucosinolate glucobrassicin, which can be found at relatively high levels in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli,cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collard greens and kale."

Mechanism of inhibition of colitis by indole-3-carbinol -- Busbee et al. 184 (1001): 96.19 -- The Journal of Immunology
"... the current study suggests that I3C may a serve as a novel treatment modality against colitis."

Does depression and stress worsen Crohn's Disease?

"Brain-Gut Interaction in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" in Gastroenterology (2012)
"Increasingly knowledge gained from animal models exploring the brain-gut axis has provided potential insight into the management of human IBD. Depression and stress may both result from active IBD but may also play a role in triggering or magnifying symptoms in patients with IBD. The important symptoms of pain and fatigue, frequently reported by patients with IBD (163) are impacted by a patient’s mental health. Completely abrogating the inflammatory state may not eliminate these symptoms (164,165). The placebo response in IBD is further evidence that IBD can be modulated by the patient’s perception of events external to their intrinsic disease (166-168). While a number of factors may contribute to the placebo response in IBD treatment trials, the potential of the subjects’ own expectations and response to the practitioner underscores the importance of cognition and patient experience in effecting clinical responses. In the past 15 years there has been a successful emergence of treatment strategies impacting on immune mediators such as TNF-α and α4 related integrins that direct lymphocyte trafficking. The next decade will see the emergence of other therapies that will modulate other effector mechanisms of immunoinflammation. Therapies that modulate neural control of inflammation and mental health (which may impact on both psychoneural inflammation as well as well symptom perception) should not be overlooked. While these newer therapies are developed and studied there remains a need to study older available and often cheaper therapies. Rigorous studies of antidepressant pharmacotherapies as well as behavioural therapies are warranted. Since not all instances of active symptoms are accompanied by objective measures of inflammation in IBD, an assessment of both the antiinflammatory effects as well as the symptom reduction effects is warranted. There are groups around the world that have incorporated biopsychosocial approaches to IBD management already (108,169). We anticipate that these approaches will become standards of care as emerging evidence solidifies the importance of the brain-gut axis in orchestrating the inflammation and symptoms of IBD."

Does sitting to defecate worsen Crohn's?

"For Best Toilet Health: Squat or Sit? from Mercola.com
"Is the Western toilet in part responsible for problems like hemorrhoids, constipation, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), appendicitis, and even heart attacks?
...
As globalization continues to make its way across the world, squat toilets are being converted to sitters. For example, Thailand's Health Ministry just announced it will replace squat toilets with the sit-down varieties at all public facilities.3 This may be a bad thing for public health, as a wide range of health problems have been associated with the transition from squatting to sitting. In fact, health problems potentially stemming from the sitting position include ...  Appendicitis Constipation Hemorrhoids Incontinence Colitis Crohn's Disease Diverticulitis Contamination of the Small Intestine Gynecological Disorders, including Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Uterine Fibroids Colon Cancer Hiatal Hernia and GERD Pregnancy and Childbirth Prostate Disorders Sexual Dysfunction Reduced Risk of Cardiac Events." [Emphasis mine.]

Squatty Potty
"Using the squatty potty provides a stable platform to elevate the feet and legs, allowing greater hip flexion and straightening out the anorectal angle (kink).
Using the Squatty Potty:

• Will unkink your rectum taking you from a continent mode to elimination mode
• Will allow for easier elimination and efficiency to empty the bowel
• Help reduce episodes of constipation and help those who suffer from chronic constipation
• Reduce gas and bloating making you feel lighter & healthier."

Does mucilage worsen Crohn's?

Mucilage from Wikipedia

Aloe vera
Basella alba (Malabar spinach)
Cactus
Chondrus crispus (Irish moss) AKA carrageenen (see my post entitled  "Does carrageenan worsen Crohn's?"
Dioscorea opposita (nagaimo, Chinese yam)
Drosera (sundews)
Drosophyllum lusitanicum
Fenugreek
Flax seeds
Kelp
Liquorice root
Marshmallow
Mallow
Mullein
Okra
Parthenium
Pinguicula (butterwort)
Psyllium seed husks
Salvia hispanica (chia) seed
Ulmus rubra bark (slippery elm)

Exopolysaccharide from Wikipedia
"Exopolysaccharides generally consist of monosaccharides and some non-carbohydrate substituents (such as acetate, pyruvate, succinate, and phosphate)"

Does the soothing action of demulcents outweigh the inflammation stimulated by polysaccharides?

(At our house, the answer is NO!)

Does junk food worsen Crohn's?

"Ontario Medical Association accused of demonizing snacks after call for junk food warnings" in National Post
"As well as the warning labels for pop and other high-calorie foods with little nutritional value, the OMA urged for policies requiring store displays for such products to be prominently marked with similar health warnings. It also recommended: higher taxes on junk food and reduced taxes on healthy foods; restrictions on marketing of fatty and sugary food to children; and limiting the availability of those products in recreational facilities frequented by young people."

Do rosehips improve Crohn's?

Rose hips from Wikipedia

"Rosehips 'could help tackle inflammatory diseases" in Daily Mail
"In another preliminary study in Denmark involving about 26 patients, LitoZin was found to alleviate the symptoms of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder"

"Fatty Acid Composition of the Monogalactosyldiacylglyerol Fraction Obtained from Rosa sp. and Litozin" in Chemistry of Natural Compounds (2012)
"Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa are common shrubs of the genus Rosa, widely distributed all over Europe. Rose hip or pseudofruit (Rosae fructus) is reported to contain ascorbic acid, organic acids, and minerals. Phytochemical analysis has also revealed the presence of carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in rose hips. Rose seeds are rich in lipids. In traditional medicine rose hips are used as a tonic agent in the treatment of exhaustion, infections, and flu. Latest investigations indicated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimutagenic, and antimicrobial activity in rose hips."

"The effects of rose hip (Rosa canina) on plasma antioxidative activity and C-reactive protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and normal controls: A prospective cohort study" in Phytomedicine (2011)
"10.5 g Litozin® in 28 days had neither effect on clinical symptoms or laboratory measurements in patients with RA or healthy controls. This is in contrast to previous intervention studies with rose hip powder that found a reduction in the concentration of CRP. The results of the present study indicate that a daily amount of approximately 10 g rose hip powder for one month has no anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant effect."

"Rose hip herbal remedy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis – a randomised controlled trial" in Phytomedicine (2010)

"The present study suggests some benefit of patients with RA treated with the present rose hip powder as indicated in the HAQ-DI and the HAQ Patient Global Scale. The secondary outcomes DAS-28, Physician’s Global Scale and QoL assessments RAQoL scores and SF-12 physical support these findings, and no change in the consumption of analgesics, NSAID’s, steroids and DMARD’s were observed in any of the two groups during the six month treatment period. ...The present trial was small and was not to well powered. And thus, though promising, the values should be taken with precaution. Therefore, studies with higher sample size and adequate power for multivariate analysis are warranted. Future research should also include dose-finding studies and testing of different rose hip extractions."

"A systematic review on the Rosa canina effect and efficacy profiles" in Phytotherapy Research (2008)"There is also a rationale behind the use of LitozinR as part of a hypocaloric diet based on the rose hip probiotic, stool regulating and smooth muscle-relaxing actions...."

"A one-year survey on the use of a powder from Rosa canina lito in acute exacerbations of chronic pain" in Phytotherapy Research (2008)
"The rose hip and seed powder, LitozinR, seems to deserve further, more definitive studies as a possible option in long-term management of NSLBP with or without osteoarthritic pain."

Does smoking improve Crohn's?

"'Doctors don't always know best:' Student claims he cured debilitating bowel disease by taking up smoking" in Daily Mail
"A medical student claims to have cured himself of a debilitating disease by taking up smoking.
Formerly a non-smoker, Stephen Pendry, 23, struggled with crippling pain, tiredness, shortness of breath and dehydration since he was diagnosed with bowel disease ulcerative colitis four years ago.
He had to rush to the toilet up to 15 times a day but is now completely symptom-free, thanks to a new four-a-day cigarette habit.
The incredible turnaround is due to a side-effect of nicotine, hardly known outside medical circles, which cancels out damage caused by the disease."

"Anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine in obesity and ulcerative colitis" in Journal of Translational Medicine (2011)
"Much work remains in terms of understanding the anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine in obesity-related inflammation and ulcerative colitis. However, it is now known that the α7nAChR plays a major role in the anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine and nicotine attenuates inflammation in both obesity and ulcerative colitis. What these findings suggest is the potential use of selective α7nAChR agonists as a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite tremendous efforts, obesity and obesity-related disorders remain at epidemic proportions and the etiology of ulcerative colitis remains unclear. Since the inflammatory response is an integral process in both obesity and ulcerative colitis, controlling the inflammatory response could ameliorate tissue damage. The effectiveness of α7nAChR agonists as a drug target will ultimately depend upon a clear understanding of the collective biological consequences of peripheral nAChR expression on inflammation. In addition, it should also be considered that the development of nicotine as a therapeutic intervention has its limitations due to toxicity related side effects and pharmacological non-specificity."

"Does nicotine influence cytokine profile and subsequent cell cycling/apoptotic responses in inflammatory bowel disease?" in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (2008)
"Dysregulated cytokine profiles in UC and CD are associated with specific alterations in cell cycle responses; these effects may be modified by nicotine, and potentially by anticytokine therapies."

Are ginger and curcumin a dynamic duo?

"Ginger May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk" in Natural Medicine Journal (2012)
"This curcumin study raises the question of whether a ginger and curcumin combination might prove to have greater effect than either alone. A 2009 paper suggests that a combination of the 2 has utility in healing skin abrasions in rats whose healing capacities had been suppressed with corticosteroid treatment."

Does selenium supplementation improve Crohn's symptoms?

Selenium from Wikipedia

Selenium from the world's healthiest foods

"The serum concentrations of zinc, copper and selenium in children with inflammatory bowel disease" in Cent Afr J Med (2002)
"Children with IBD in this study show abnormalities of the trace elements which is probably a result of inadequate intake, reduced absorption, increased intestinal loss due to impairment of the absorption as a result of the inflammatory process. The reduced free radical scavenging action of zinc and selenium as a result of their deficiency may contribute to the continued inflammatory process of IBD. The recommendation of the supplementation of these trace elements in IBD is further supported by the findings of this study in children."

How does our Western diet influence Crohn's?

"Dietary-fat-induced taurocholic acid promotes pathobiont expansion and colitis in Il10−/− mice", Devkota et al. in Nature (2012) Preview"The composite human microbiome of Western populations has probably changed over the past century, brought on by new environmental triggers that often have a negative impact on human health1. Here we show that consumption of a diet high in saturated (milk-derived) fat, but not polyunsaturated (safflower oil) fat, changes the…"

Milk fat found in junk food may be to blame for dramatic rise in IBS cases

"Concentrated milk fat is a powdery substance that is abundant in processed foods and confectionery.
...
Prof Chang's team found that milk fat, but not polyunsaturated fats, caused an explosion in the numbers of a normally rare gut microbe called Bilophila wadsworthia.

The bugs were almost undetectable in mice on low-fat or unsaturated fat diets, but made up about 6% of all bacteria in the guts of mice fed milk fat.  Bilophila wadsworthia has an affinity for bile, which is released into the intestines to help break down fats.
...
Milk fats are unusually difficult to digest, requiring the liver to produce bile rich in sulphur.

Since B. wadsworthia thrives on sulphur, this fuels its population growth.

'Unfortunately, these can be harmful bacteria,' Prof Chang said.

'Presented with a rich source of sulphur, they bloom, and when they do, they are capable of activating the immune system of genetically prone individuals.'

By-products of the bugs' interaction with bile enhance the effect by making the bowel more permeable, the scientists said.

Immune cells then find it easier to infiltrate the bowel wall and damage tissue.
...
Prof Chang added: 'Right now we can't do much about correcting genes that predispose individuals to increased risk for these diseases, and while we could encourage people to change their diets, this is seldom effective and always difficult." [Emphasis mine.]

Western diet changes gut bacteria and triggers colitis in those at risk

"Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and its susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents--special references to bacteria isolated between April 2009 and March 2010" in The Japanese Journal of Antibiotics (2011)
"We should carefully follow up B. wadsworthia which was resistant to various antibiotics...."

"Diversity and distribution of sulphate-reducing bacteria in human faeces from healthy subjects and patients with inflammatory bowel disease" in FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology (2012)
"The relative abundance of different groups of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in faecal DNA collected before and after therapy from patients suffering from Crohn's disease (CD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ulcerative colitis (UC) has been compared with that from healthy controls. Growth tests revealed that SRB were not more abundant in samples from patients with CD before treatment than in the healthy control group. ... However, some samples from patients with CD before treatment contained a growth inhibitor that was absent from IBS or UC samples. In-depth sequencing of PCR-generated dsrB fragments revealed that the diversity detected was surprisingly low, with only eight strains of SRB and the sulphite-reducing bacterium, Bilophila wadsworthia, detected above the 0.1% threshold. The proportion of the two major species detected,B. wadsworthia and Desulfovibrio piger, was as high as 93.5% of the total SRB population in the healthy control group and lower in all patient groups."

In Crohn's, what is the sigificance of the carnitine transport pathway?

PLoS ONE: A Pathway-Based View of Human Diseases and Disease Relationships in PLoS ONE (2009)
"In another example, Crohn's diseases and In-born errors of lipid metabolism are linked together through the Carnitine transport pathway."

Does emu oil reduce Crohn's symptoms?

Emu oil from Wikipedia
"Unadulterated emu oil can vary widely in color and viscosity, but, assuming the emu has enjoyed a natural diet, is generally a yellow liquid.[5] It is composed of approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The largest component is oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains roughly 20% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and 1-2% linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).

A handful of studies have suggested that emu oil, applied topically, may have anti-inflammatory properties or promote wound healing in various rodent models.[6][7][8]  Emu oil is marketed and promoted as a dietary supplement with a wide variety of claimed health benefits.[9]"

"Emu Oil: A novel therapeutic for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract?" in Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2012)
"Recently, Emu Oil has been demonstrated to endow partial protection against chemotherapy-induced mucositis, with early indications of improved intestinal repair. Emu Oil could therefore form the basis of an adjunct to conventional treatment approaches for inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal system."

"Emu Oil Increases Colonic Crypt Depth in a Rat Model of Ulcerative Colitis" in Digestive Diseases and Sciences (2012)
"Emu oil improved tissue damage associated with colitis, suggesting its potential as a unique formulation to augment conventional treatment approaches for IBD."

Does increasing serotonin levels improve Crohn's symptoms?

Serotonin in Wikipedia

"How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs" by Simon N. Young in Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience (2007) [full article]
"Serotonin may be associated with physical health as well as mood. In otherwise healthy individuals, a low prolactin response to the serotonin-releasing drug fenfluramine was associated with the metabolic syndrome, a risk factor for heart disease,35 suggesting that low serotonin may predispose healthy individuals to suboptimal physical as well as mental functioning.

Nonpharmacologic methods of raising brain serotonin may not only improve mood and social functioning of healthy people — a worthwhile objective even without additional considerations — but would also make it possible to test the idea that increases in brain serotonin may help protect against the onset of various mental and physical disorders. Four strategies that are worth further investigation are discussed below.

...
The primary purpose of this editorial is to point out that pharmacologic strategies are not the only ones worthy of study when devising strategies to increase brain serotonin function. The effect of nonpharmacologic interventions on brain serotonin and the implications of increased serotonin for mood and behaviour need to be studied more. The amount of money and effort put into research on drugs that alter serotonin is very much greater than that put into non-pharmacologic methods. The magnitude of the discrepancy is probably neither in tune with the wishes of the public nor optimal for progress in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders."

The article proposes four strategies for increasing serotonin in the brain:

1. altered thoughts/mood influencing serotonin levels (self- or psychotherapy induced)
2. exposure to bright light
3. exercise
4. diet (tryptophan)

"10 Quick Tips to Boost Your Serotonin" from Mark's Daily Apple
"10. Avoid the fast track to happiness. ...
9. Don’t avoid carbs entirely. ...
8. Eat protein. ...
7. Eat fat. ...
6. Take a fish oil supplement! ...
5. Exercise to feel good. ...
4. Avoid the stimulant cycle. ...
3. Sleep right. ...
2. Investigate supplements wisely. ...
1. Boost other hormones! ..."

Which supplements counteract nutritional depletion by antiobiotics?

"Nutrition Review - A Practical Guide to Avoiding Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion, Cass in Nutrition Review [no date]
"Antibiotics deplete biotin, inositol, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 and vitamin K. Additionally, fluoroquinolones and all floxacins (including ciprofloxacin or “Cipro”) deplete calcium and iron. Tetracyclines (suffix, -cycline) deplete calcium and magnesium. Trimethoprim-containing antibiotics (brand names Trimpex, Proloprim or Primsol) deplete folic acid. Penicillins (suffix, -cillin) deplete potassium. Aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, cause imbalances of magnesium, calcium and potassium. (20) In fact, one study showed that gentamicin causes increased excretion of calcium by 5 percent and magnesium by 8.4 percent. (21)

When you take antibiotics, consider a B vitamin complex along with it. Or take a multivitamin that contains 25 mg of B1 (thiamine), 25 mg of B2 (riboflavin), 50 mg of B3 (niacin), 50 mg of B6 (pyridoxine), 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid, 10 mcg of B12, and 50 mg each of biotin and B5 (pantothenic acid).

Inositol is part of the B vitamin complex, and is likely to be included in a B vitamin or multivitamin formulation. Otherwise, take 500 mg of inositol. (The RDA is 100 mg per day.) In addition, either take a multivitamin that includes magnesium (500 mg), calcium (1,000 mg) and potassium (100 mg), or take them separately.

Antibiotics can disrupt the natural bacteria flora in the digestive system, killing “good” bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum). These are probiotics or bacteria that normally live in and on the human body, concentrated mostly in the digestive and genital/urinary systems. Choose a supplement that contains at least 1 billion live organisms per daily dose.

You also may consider 50 mcg daily of vitamin K, which is normally made by friendly intestinal bacteria. Vitamin K is required for proper blood clotting. Deficiency is rare, but when it occurs, life-threatening bleeding can occur from the smallest injury. Vitamin K also plays a part in osteoporosis prevention."

Does GABA supplementation improve Crohn's symptoms?

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) from Wikipedia

"... the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It plays a role in regulatingneuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. In humans, GABA is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone."

"Intestinal Bacteria Produce Neurotransmitter, Could Play Role in Inflammation" in asm 2012

“We identified, to our knowledge, the first bifidobacterial strain, Bifidobacterium dentium, that is capable of secreting large amounts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This molecule is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central and enteric nervous systems,” says Karina Pokusaeva, a researcher on the study and a member of the laboratory of James Versalovic."

Does Lactococcus lactis reduce Crohn's symptoms?

Lactococcus lactis from Wikipedia

"Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Milk Fermented by a Strain of IL-10-Producing Lactococcus lactis Using a Murine Model of Crohn’s Disease" in Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology (2011)

"Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is the most important anti-inflammatory cytokine at intestinal level, and its absence is involved in inflammatory bowel diseases. However, oral treatment with IL-10 is difficult because of its low survival in the gastrointestinal tract and systemic treatments lead to undesirable side effects. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the administration of milks fermented by Lactococcus lactis strains that produce IL-10 under the control of the xylose-inducible expression system using a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis murine model. Mice that received milks fermented by L. lactis strains producing IL-10 in the cytoplasm (Cyt strain) or secreted to the product (Sec strain) showed lower damage scores in their large intestines, decreased IFN-γ levels in their intestinal fluids and lower microbial translocation to liver, compared to mice receiving milk fermented by the wild-type strain or those not receiving any treatment. The results obtained in this study show that the employment of fermented milks as a new form of administration of IL-10-producing L. lactisis effective in the prevention of inflammatory bowel disease in a murine model."

"Defective IL-10 production in severe phenotypes of Crohn’s disease" in Journal of Leukocyte Biology (2009)

"We show a defect in IL-10 production in whole blood cell cultures and MDDCs in patients with severe forms of Crohn’s disease. This defect in IL-10 production by a group of Crohn’s disease patients may represent a mechanism mediating more severe manifestations of the disease. We propose that treatment with IL-10 or IL-10-inducing therapies could be of particular benefit to these group of patients."

Does earthing improve Crohn's symptoms?

Earthing:  the most important health discovery ever? by Ober, Sinatra and Zucker (2010)


Earthing.  Get Connected & Feel Vibrant

Earthing Canada

Earthing Institute

"Perspective: Assume a spherical cow: The role of free or mobile electrons in bodywork, energetic and movement therapies" in Energy Medicine: Review and Hypotheses (2007)

"Biomedical research has led to the hypothesis that inflammation is the culprit behind almost every modern chronic illness. Hence there is interest in techniques that can resolve acute and chronic inflammation. A natural method involves connecting the human body to the earth (earthing). When done during sleep,earthing normalizes the daily cortisol rhythm, improves sleep and reduces pain and inflammation. Direct electrical connection with the earth enables diurnal (daily) electrical rhythms and electrons to flow from the earth to the body. Electrons are thought to act as natural anti-oxidants by neutralizing positively charged inflammatory free radicals. This concept requires a revision of an old idea in physiology: the human body and the cells within it are best described as volume conductors, in which charge is only conducted by dissolved electrolytes. The discussion relates to the term, “ungrounded,” widely used by practitioners of bodywork, energetic and movement therapies."

"Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons", Review Article in  Journal of Environmental and Public Health (2012) [full article]
"Environmental medicine generally addresses environmental factors with a negative impact on human health. However, emerging scientific research has revealed a surprisingly positive and overlooked environmental factor on health: direct physical contact with the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from such contact. The research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and unwellness. Reconnection with the Earth’s electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being. Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits—including better sleep and reduced pain—from walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground into the body. This paper reviews the earthing research and the potential of earthing as a simple and easily accessed global modality of significant clinical importance.
...
It is assumed that the influx of free electrons absorbed into the body through direct contact with the
Earth likely neutralize ROS and thereby reduce acute and chronic inflammation.
...
Reduction in inflammation as a result of earthing has been documented with infrared medical imaging and with measurements of blood chemistry and white blood cell counts. The logical explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects is that grounding the body allows negatively charged antioxidant electrons from the Earth to enter the body and neutralize positively charged free radicals at sites of inflammation. Flow of electrons from the Earth to the body has been documented."

"Can electrons act as antioxidants? A review and commentary" in The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine (2012)
"The research summarized here and in subsequent reports provides a basis for a number of earthing technologies that restore and maintain natural electrical contact between the human body and the earth throughout the day and night in situations where going barefoot on the earth is impractical. It is proposed that free or mobile electrons from the earth can resolve chronic inflammation by serving as natural antioxidants."

Does the Behavioral Immune System influence Crohn's Disease?

Behavioural Immune System from Wikipedia

"The Behavioral Immune System (and Why It Matters)" from Association for Psychological Science
"Like many other animals, human beings engage in behavioral defenses against infectious pathogens. The behavioral immune system consists of a suite of psychological mechanisms that (a) detect cues connoting the presence of infectious pathogens in the immediate environment, (b) trigger disease-relevant emotional and cognitive responses, and thus (c) facilitate behavioral avoidance of pathogen infection. However, the system responds to an overly general set of superficial cues, which can result in aversive responses to things (including people) that pose no actual threat of pathogen infection. In addition, the system is flexible, such that more strongly aversive responses occur under conditions in which perceivers are (or merely perceive themselves to be) more vulnerable to pathogen infection. Recent research reveals many provocative implications—for the experience of disgust, for extraversion and social interaction, for xenophobia and other prejudices, and for the origins of cultural differences."

The “Behavioral Immune System” in Scientific American (2011)

"Mere Visual Perception of Other People’s Disease Symptoms Facilitates a More Aggressive Immune Response" in Clinical Psychological Science (2010)
"An experiment (N = 28) tested the hypothesis that the mere visual perception of disease-connoting cues promotes a more aggressive immune response. Participants were exposed either to photographs depicting symptoms of infectious disease or to photographs depicting guns. After incubation with a model bacterial stimulus, participants’ white blood cells produced higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the infectious-disease condition, compared with the control (guns) condition. These results provide the first empirical evidence that visual perception of other people’s symptoms may cause the immune system to respond more aggressively to infection. Adaptive origins and functional implications are discussed."