by Juli Keene, B.S.c, CN,
Licensed Clinical Nutritionist

julikeene@earthlink.net

Over 75 million Americans suffer from a painful condition that no one really wants to talk about –hemorrhoids. These swollen, inflamed veins and capillaries around the anus are linked to constipation, straining at the stool, pregnancy, dehydration, and certain vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. They are caused by a diet consisting of low fiber, few nutrients, and too many refined foods.

There are many products out there that look promising, and if you suffer from this debilitating condition they probably sound too good to be true. One of the most well-known is the topical cream that starts with Preparation and ends with “H,” as this company’s advertisements have saturated TV and print ads for as long as most of us can remember. While a topical ointments like Preparation H may be soothing – if you have this condition you probably know that, while for some it may be a temporary solution at best – it’s not the cure for hemorrhoids. As a clinical nutritionist and technical writer for the dietary supplement industry, I can tell you that the only approach that will actually work in the long run to support the body in healing from and preventing future hemorrhoid attacks is one that addresses diet and lifestyle, and gives you the nutrients your body needs both internally and topically. Except, perhaps, in the temporary case of pregnancy and the rapid change in body chemistry and weight, hemorrhoids is not a condition I ever see in people who eat a healthy diet. This article will give you the information your doctor or the Preparation H package probably will not. This article will tell what dietary changes you need to make to solve your hemorrhoid problem.

Juli Keene, B.S.c, CN

Constipation is almost always part of the equation when talking about hemorrhoids. In order to get rid of constipation, the diet must change. Using laxatives is not a long-term solution. Drinking plenty of pure water is paramount to having healthy elimination. I recommend half a person’s body weight in ounces of water per day. Drinking small amounts throughout the day is better than drinking it all at once. It’s almost cliché these days, but I have to say it anyway: fiber is so important in a healthy diet. And I don’t mean cheerios or other refined cereals or bran products. I mean fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains eaten in as close to their natural state as possible. Vegetables with at least three meals or snacks each day is ideal. Eating smaller amounts of food more often, like every four hours will also help your digestive system to break down foods, help avoid obesity and liver exhaustion, and help prevent constipation. In cases where constipation is not found in hemorrhoid sufferers, chronic diarrhea caused by too many laxatives and antacids is. Either way, the body is out of balance and diet is the key.

Eating the right amounts of the right kinds of fats is a very important to proper digestion and elimination. Many people are told not to eat too many fats when experiencing hemorrhoids. This is only half true. You definitely want to eliminate the unhealthy fats, but you also must increase the healthy or nourishing fats.

Unhealthy fats are fats that cannot be digested, assimilated, or used by the body for anything other than empty calories. They can also be very damaging. Any foods that are fried in oils should be avoided. Exposure to high heat for long periods causes food enzymes and essential fatty acids to be broken down. Since these fats are basically not digestible without their enzymes, they hang around in the body clogging blood vessels and weakening circulation. Since hemorrhoids are inflamed veins and capillaries around the anus, this is probably one of the worst things to do for this condition.

Any undigested food blocking up the intestine and colon, including fats will contribute to constipation. Hydrogenated fats and oils which are found in most packaged foods like cookies, crackers, breads, chips etc…and which are probably all over your kitchen right now is one of the worst things you can put in your body. These fake food products have been chemically changed so that the shelf life is basically forever. This is great for the grocer who can have it sitting on his shelf for decades without technically going bad, but they are poison for your body. Besides clogging your digestive system and causing more inflammation in the body – where do you think these indigestible fats go after we eat them? They are probably stored in your liver, fat tissue and cardiovascular system. Yuk!

Thankfully, because the diet is pretty bland without them, we do need fats. We just need the type that the human body can digest and use as nourishment. These healthy fats include olive oil, avocado, coconut oil (yes, coconut oil just not hydrogenated coconut oil), raw almonds, nuts and seeds and their butters as well as cold pressed flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, grape seed oil and Omega 3 high EPA and DHA fish oils. These oils are high in essential fatty acids and are extremely healing and strengthening to the body. They are helpful with any kind of inflammatory conditions such as hemorrhoids. If you can work these healthy fats into at least 3 of your meals or snacks a day, and take a high quality EPA/DHA supplement you will be healthier than most Americans subsisting on a diet high in the low quality fats. Omega 3’s and Omega 9’s are not nearly as prevalent in our diets as their less healthy counterparts the Omega 6’s. Most people eating a modern diet are way too high in Omega 6’s and way to low in Omega 3’s and 9’s. I have found in my private practice that changing the ratio of Omega fatty acids in the body correlates with my clients having healthier digestion, less inflammation and much less depression and anxiety. Studies confirm these correlations as well. These healthy fats also serve to lubricate the intestines and colon and soften up stools which can directly support healthy elimination.

If you can combine these high fiber, nutrient rich fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, beans, healthy fats and plenty of water with adequate amounts of lean protein throughout the day this will go a long way toward not only getting rid of or preventing hemorrhoids but also to becoming optimally healthy. This is a general diet for good health that I have been using for years with my clients. Small amounts of lean protein, complex carbohydrate filled with high fiber and healthy fat is what your body needs every couple of hours to run smoothly. Try it and see how much better you feel.

Next time I will discuss nature’s remedies. Natural products such as herbs, vitamins and other dietary supplements that can help support your body in healing from hemorrhoids.

Juli Keene, B.S.c, CN is a Licensed Clinical Nutritionist in private practice in Redondo Beach, CA. A graduate of Chapman University (Magna Cum Laude) and The American Health Science University (Class Valedictorian 1995), she combines her 20 years of experience in the psychology and nutrition fields to help her clients with nutritional testing and natural support for mood problems, hormone balance, substance abuse recovery, high blood pressure, heart health, Hepatitis C, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. She a pediatric nutrition specialist with a special focus on autism spectrum disorders using the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) approved protocols, ADD, ADHD, Allergies and Asthma as well as mood, learning and behavior problems in children. Juli does technical writing for the dietary supplement industry and has created nutrition programs for ExxonMobil, Nissan, Chevron, Verizon Wireless and The Hermosa Beach City School District. Juli can be reached at JuliKeene.com

We have checked out many companies selling hemorrhoid preparations to investigate their sales pitches. They say things like: 48 hr. cure, curative against hemorrhoids, two day cure, rapidly eliminate hemorrhoids, the most effective treatment, one week hemorrhoid removal, fast long-lasting results, 98% success rate, say goodbye to pain, fast-lasting relief, etc. These comments are taken right from their ads and the claims go on and on.

One of America’s largest pharmaceutical companies manufactures a very popular product for hemorrhoids. They state clearly on their label, “Prompt temporary relief,” at least admitting their product works temporarily. Today, they say “Regular application and lubrication provides continual therapy for relief of hemorrhoidal symptoms.” The other companies mentioned above go beyond this with their cure claims. But they all have one thing in common; they treat the symptom and not the cause. By treating the symptom, they insure they will sell a lot of their products. Most of these products whether capsules, creams/ointments do what they say they will do but only temporarily, the hemorrhoid will keep flaring up, itching or bleeding, etc. If you do not find the root cause of your hemorrhoids, they will never go away.

There are many contributing factors as to why people develop hemorrhoids. Diet is certainly a major cause. Below are a few tips that can help prevent hemorrhoids:

• Limiting fat intake. Fat has twice the amount of calories as protein and carbohydrates, the energy nutrients. Eat lean cuts of meat instead of heavy red meats. Low-fat cheese, soy cheese, skim milk are better alternatives. Bake instead of frying, and use olive oil if you must fry. Reduce your salt intake and substitute herb spices.

• Drink plenty of water–6 to 8 glasses a day. Water lubricates the anal track, removes waste, transports nutrients, regulates body temperature, and gives you that full feeling so you will not eat as much.

• Increase your fiber intake. Eat lots of salads, fresh fruits and vegetables and bran cereals and whole grains. Read the labels on the boxes to stay away from the products loaded with sugar. Eat an apple or banana as a mid-morning or afternoon snack. Put together a raw-vegetable platter with low-calorie dressing.

• Maintaining a healthy diet. Eat the above mentioned foods every day. Buy fresh veggies first if you can, if not, buy frozen veggies and lastly canned veggies. They use chemicals in the cans. High fiber moves through the large intestine easily which keeps bowl movements from being too loose or too hard. This will help shrink the hemorrhoid. Chewing food well will help digestion.

• Stress Management. When under stress people will look for things to give them comfort like snack foods, cookies, ice cream, chips, chocolate, and alcohol. Instead, we should think of other ways to handle our stress.

• Exercise can help the whole body. Try to take some time in your busy day to exercise. Pick activities that fit your life style. Set fitness goals. Exercising burns fat, increases stamina, removes toxins and helps to keep our weight down. Vigorous exercise strengthens the lungs, heart and circulatory system.

• Other things to remember: Do not push and strain when moving the bowels.

Do not sit for long periods of time. If nothing happens leave and come back later.

Primitive people did not have toilets to sit on. To have a bowel movement they squatted, keeping their muscles tight.

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