Who gets inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

While anyone can develop IBD, both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis appear to have a genetic component, meaning that these diseases run in families. Also, people of Jewish heritage, particularly the Ashkenazi Jewish population, have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease.

According to my colleague, Dr. Robert Melillo, research is currently being performed to show that there is a correlation between the brain, the immune system and digestive system.  This research is being conducted at Harvard and is quite credible.   The cutting edge research looks to prove that Crohns and Colitis may not nessesarily be genetic, but other environmental factors can be involved.  Also, if you look at the study of epigenetics, you will understand that our genes are not nessisarily set in stone, as most have thought in the past.  We can actually turn genes on or off.  The idea that IBD is based on neurology does make alot of sense, here is why.

There is growing evidence that those with Functional Disconnection Syndrome are more likely to develop auto immune diseases like IBD.  Current research links FDS to ADHD and Autism, but the health issues do not stop there.  For example, if there is underconnectivity between the two hemishperes in the brain, this can cause immaturity of the digestive system as the well as the immune system.  The same token appiles in the brain is over stimulated, the immune system can become over active and therefore attack itself.   The right side of the brain is to suppress these immume reactions. 

It is noted in my book, and I have witnessed in both my professional and personal experience, that most people who experience IBD, seem to have FDS.   FDS can lead to personality types that are more type A oriented.  If you have IBD or know someone who is all go, go, go, an overachiever, very high strung, doesnt like to take breaks, etc.  this can be indicative of a underlying issue with the brain.  When the right hemipshere is weaker than the left, we tend to see issues like this.

This research is in its infancy, but I am currently working with people across the country for cases studies.  If you are interested, please contact me.