New Crohns Disease Medication Being Researched

Crohns disease medication may be ineffective, because no one really knows yet what causes this disease.

The most commonly accepted theory has been that white blood cells or leukocytes attack normal intestinal bacteria, but a leading British expert, Professor John Hermon-Taylor has a different theory and is currently working to develop a different kind of Crohns medication.

The scientific and medical communities blame a number of diseases on a dysfunctional immune system. These diseases are not believed to be caused by a weakened immune system, but by an overactive immune system.

Such diseases include: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Crohns.

In the case of Crohns, it is known that white blood cells gather in the bowel,causing inflammation. What isn't known is why this happens. White blood cells are the body's primary infection fighters, but when no infection can be found, then the assumption is made that the immune system is responding to normal bacteria or attacking healthy tissue and is therefore dysfunctional.

Operating under this theory, a doctor may prescribe a Crohns disease medication that suppresses the immune system. While these drugs may reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms, they can also interfere with the body's natural ability to fight off infection.

A new theory has been presented by Professor John Hermon-Taylor after 15 years of research at London's St. George's Hospital. He has developed a new Crohns medication, a vaccine, that he is hopeful will cure the disease, not just treat the symptoms.

Instead of suppressing the immune system, as current Crohns medication can, the vaccine would assist the immune system by allowing it to identify and destroy specific bacteria (mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis or MAP) that the professor believes causes the disease.

Found in sheep, pigs and cattle, the new research indicates that MAP enters the human food chain via milk and water.

On the downside, however, it will be years before this new Crohns disease medication is available to the general public...and of course, there is no guarnantee it will be approved or even work.

The professor's research is not government funded and has been supported solely by private donations. The new Crohns medication must be thoroughly tested on healthy human volunteers to ensure that there are no side effects, before trials can be conducted using people who have the disease.

For those who currently suffer from the disease, waiting on the new Crohns medication or vaccine is not an option. The symptoms, even when mild, are not something that a person can live with on a daily basis without relief. A recent survey by doctors of doctors in Europe concluded that Crohns disease medication is inappropriate more than half of the time.

Another survey showed that those who suffer from the disease seek alternatives, because of ineffectiveness or side effects associated with current Crohns medication.

One alternative to current Crohns disease medication is dietary supplementation with mangosteen health drink.

The mangosteen is an exotic fruit that was used historically throughout Asia to treat a number of conditions, including digestive problems.

Scientific research has shown that the rind of the fruit contains components that are natural anti-inflammatories and natural pain relievers.

More than 50 different powerful anti-oxidants, called Xanthones have been identified and studied. Some of these are anti-viral and anti-bacterial, so if you're waiting for the latest Crohns breakthrough, like the kind Professor Hermon-Taylor is working on, you may want to try mangosteen in the meantime.

Mike Leuthen is chief editor of [http://www.restore-your-health.com]. Visit us to learn more about crohns disease medication and ask the editor questions.