Crohn's Disease Relief

3 Immune System Researchers Share Prestigious Medical Prize

Have you ever wondered who discovered the immune system cell components that create inflammation?  Then you will enjoy reading this article from the Albany NY Fox affiliate which describes the three scientists who are sharing the Albany Medical Center Prize for Medicine and BioMedical Research.

Immune system researchers share $500,000 prize for medicine and biomedical research

$500,000 Albany Medical Center Prize is being shared by Dr. Ralph Steinman of Rockefeller University, Dr. Charles Dinarello, of the University of Colorado, and Dr. Bruce Beutler, of The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif.

What makes this important in terms of Crohn's disease is that each of these three made important discoveries that have lead to some of the most power treatments (biologics, etc) that we now have for this disease.

Some of their accomplishments as copied directly from the Fox17 article:

Steinman's discovery of dendritic cells and their role in immunity, has pushed research toward potential vaccine improvements, treatment of autoimmune disorders and cancer.

"It's very important to understand how your body resists infection," Steinman said.

Dinarello worked on therapies to block the immune system's inflammatory reaction when it's harmful.

Dinarello identified the molecule in the body that produces a fever, or inflammation. Since discovering that molecule, later called Interleukin-1, he's focused his work on blocking it to relieve inflammation. This, and discoveries of different Interleukins, has resulted in treatment for immune disorders, including Crohn's disease, diabetes, allergies and rheumatoid arthritis.

Beutler defined what another type of protein the dendritic cells produce does for immune systems. It's called Tumor Necrosis Factor, or TNF. He isolated TNF and explained that it also played a role in responding to inflammation.

Now I Understand my Fruit Allergies

Since I was a kid I have gotten an itchy painful mouth if I ate Pineapples.  Over time I have figured out I get a similar allergic reaction from various fruits.  Mangos are the worst, pineapple, kiwi, papaya, and cherries.  When my baby son Ben got a itchy diaper rash and red around his mouth after eating pinapple, I knew he had it too. I keep both my kids away from the fruits that I am allergic to although I have a feeling they would probably be fine if they had some.  Well, it will give them something to rebel against when they are older.  Funny story about my mom and artichokes - she is allergic and would never let my brother have them.  Turns out he is allerigic to them too.  Not me though.  But my Dad sneezes if he touches or eats peach fuzz. 

Anyway, this great CNN.com article about Fruit Allergies and Pollen Allergies discusses the mechanisms of a fruit protein oral allergy and was really interesting.  Apparently the proteins in the fruits look very similar to those in pollens and this can explain how the allergy works.  It also explains why canned or cooked fruit don't effect me as much, as the cooking process alters the proteins.

Free Cookbook from ChronsOnline.com

The Crohn's Disease info website CrohnsOnline is giving away a free cookbook.  They say it is that it is a Free Crohn’s Cookbook, featuring "easy-to-follow recipes for patients with Crohn's disease."

The web site also offers the free book 100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis covers a wide range of topics, from diagnosis and treatment to diet and lifestyle.  This is a pretty good book - I have it and read it. 

Can people with Crohn's eat Broccoli Sprouts?

There is a new study out of Japan touting the health benefits of Broccoli Sprouts.  Check out this US News and World Report short article about how sulforaphane found in fresh broccoli sprouts may help guard against H. pylori the  bacteria that is linked to ulcers, gastritis, and cancers of the stomach.

The study participants consumed 2½ ounces of broccoli sprouts per day.

The only thing I would worry about is that many Crohn's sufferers can't eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoili.  I do not know how well the sprouts would be tolerated as opposed to the full grown veggie.  I love broccoli and I find that it does not cause my Crohn's to act up.  I steam it quite a bit though, usually in the microwave using veggie steamer bags.  Depending on the state of your Crohn's (flaring or not) and your particular digestive system and what it can tolerate, you might consider trying sprouts.  I would try just a few and monitor how things go.  I wonder if the health benefits would be as good if you lightly steamed the sprouts or cooked them in a broth?