Hey, Faith:

Quote:

What does he mean by lesions in the intestinal tract? Does everyone with AS have lesions in the intestinal tract or only those with IBD?



It is my contention, based upon experience and many discussions with Professor Ebringer and others, that the only difference between one genetically susceptible person with AS and the susceptible person without AS is the integrity of the gut.

When studied properly, 50% of all AS patients showed "crohn's-like microlesions" at the terminal ileum (ileo-cecal region). I believe that the answer is yes--everyone with AS has some increased intestinal permeability and this, if taken as a fact, explains myriad observations related to AS.

Most people with AS do not have obvious bowel symptoms, and I never would have made the connection until I began taking NSAIDs (which increased AS activity, overall--one of the key observations).

I have recently heard from people with AS who, instead of remaining on the NSD, decided to work to heal their tract and now only follow an intestinal-building regimen, almost ignoring other aspects of diet, with some success. Other vegetarians (Jackie Le Tissier: "Food Combining for Vegetarians") have had some capacity to be careful about food combinations and able to control milder cases of AS this way.

HEALTH,
John