PUMPING IRON

Ulcerative Colitis many times leads to iron deficiencies. It's really a vicious cycle. You lose blood from the ulcers in your colon, so you become anemic. Also, your colon is not healthy so it is not absorbing the nutrients from your foods you are eating. Now that your blood levels are low your body is struggling to carry the nutrients to heal itself. As a result of that you are tired, run down and flat out exhausted.

This has been my reality for so many years! I mean, isn't UC alone enough? LOL!!

I have been working very diligently to build up my blood so that I can feel good, but also to avoid more iron infusions. I am very thankful for science and technology,on't get me wrong. However, an iron infusion takes several hours of just sitting in a chair with an IV dripping. When my UC isn't flared I like to be up and moving. It is difficult for me to just sit. When my UC is flared and I am constantly running to the bathroom it is still difficult for me to just sit. Either way, you get my point. I would prefer to be doing something else.

Two Sunrider products I have used to help bring up blood levels and keep me feeling better are Evergreen and Spirulina.

Evergreen is a highly concentrated liquid chlorophyll. It's that simple. Who eats enough leafy green veggies?? Be honest. I consider myself a pretty healthy eater, but getting enough leafy greens is DIFFICULT, esp when your body doesn't seem to cooperate with you. So, this is my #1 go to for getting my green veggies in to get my iron levels up!! I don't typically get encouragement from my medical docs about nutrition, but even the nurse practitioner at my hematologist office suggested I keep drinking this. It has been almost a year and a half since my last set of iron infusions. I say set because you don't always go in and get one bag and go on your way. It could take up to 3-6 bags before you are close to where you need to be. So, 3-6 separate visits for iron. That's a lot of time in a medical office. So, I just had labs last week and my HGB was 12.3. I was thrilled!!!! I was even more thrilled when they told me I could go past a year for a follow up. This is so HUGE to me. Without a doubt I feel certain evergreen has helped get my blood levels where they need to be. It helps clean the intestines, aids digestion, supports the circulatory system, and helps relieve indigestion, upset stomach and nausea just to name a few things. It was a win-win for me! By the way, it is also great for athletes or really anyone who works out by supporting energy and endurance, shortening recovery time, and decreasing post workout soreness. I hope to enjoy some these benefits as I am feeling better and starting to exercise more and more.

Spirulina is the other product I mentioned. It is a protein superfood with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. I will tell you more about it when I talk about my IBD more. Hopefully that will be soon.

I have been on this journey to health for several years now. It is a process. I have a pretty strict diet, I do my best to limit my stress, and I consume A LOT of sunrider foods. My health has improved so much throughout this journey. To God be the glory!! He really has given us amazing bodies!