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Natural Remedies for Crohn's Disease: Holistic Healing

| Modified on Jan 31, 2024
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Crohn's disease, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), causes inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. While medical treatment is essential, natural remedies can support managing the symptoms and improving overall quality of life. This article explores effective natural solutions for those living with Crohn's disease.

Dietary Modifications: Key to Managing Crohn's

Diet plays a significant role in managing Crohn's disease. Consider these dietary changes:

  • Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Incorporate foods that reduce inflammation, such as omega-3-rich fish, leafy greens, and nuts.
  • Low-Fiber Diet: A low-fiber diet can help reduce bowel irritation during flare-ups.
  • Avoid Trigger Foods: Identify and eliminate foods that worsen symptoms, including dairy, spicy foods, and high-fiber items.

Herbal Remedies: Natural Support for Gut Health

Certain herbs have been found to help alleviate symptoms of Crohn's disease:

  • Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Slippery Elm: Soothes the digestive tract and helps with diarrhea and stomach pain.
  • Aloe Vera: Has anti-inflammatory effects and can help heal the gut lining.

Probiotics and Prebiotics: Balancing Gut Flora

Probiotics and prebiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which can benefit individuals with Crohn's disease. Consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir or taking probiotic supplements.

Supplements for Crohn's Disease Management

In addition to dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications, certain supplements can be beneficial for managing Crohn's disease symptoms:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, these can help reduce inflammation, potentially benefiting those with Crohn's disease.
  • Vitamin D: Many individuals with Crohn's disease have low levels of Vitamin D. Supplementing with Vitamin D can support immune function and overall health.
  • Iron Supplements: Anemia is common in Crohn's disease due to blood loss or reduced iron absorption. Iron supplements can help address this issue.
  • Calcium and Magnesium: These minerals are important for bone health, especially in those taking corticosteroids for Crohn's disease, which can reduce bone density.
  • Zinc: This mineral is crucial for immune function and wound healing, and deficiencies can occur in individuals with Crohn's disease.
  • Folic Acid: Often recommended for those taking certain medications for Crohn's disease, as these drugs can interfere with folic acid absorption.

Stress Reduction: Essential for Symptom Management

Stress can exacerbate Crohn's disease symptoms. Stress-reduction practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help manage stress levels and reduce flare-ups.

Regular Exercise: Promoting Overall Health

Exercise can improve overall health and reduce the severity of Crohn's disease symptoms. Aim for moderate, low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling.

Conclusion

Natural remedies for Crohn's disease, including dietary adjustments, herbal supplements, probiotics, stress management, and regular exercise, offer a holistic way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. While these remedies can complement medical treatment, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your treatment plan. By incorporating these natural approaches, individuals with Crohn's disease can work towards better gut health and symptom relief.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Activated Charcoal

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Posted by Lara (Taylor, Mi) on 07/11/2015

My husband has Crohn's, and has had surgery once already.. All his pain and diarrhea has come back. Food does not digest comes straight out.. If anyone can please help!

Thank you.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
07/11/2015
★★★★★

Dear Lara,

There are some stories of success with herbs like slippery elm, barley and turmeric here.

Activated Charcoal Powder may be of help also. There is a story on the charcoalremedies.com website of a man drinking charcoal water daily for his Crohn's Disease with great success.

Charcoal for Crohn's Disease

I hope you find a good solution for him soon.

~Mama to Many~

Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm

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Posted by MarVelous (USA) on 06/20/2023
 ★★★★★

I am 71 years old and vividly remember taking kerosene with a teaspoon of sugar for sore throats or colds. My grandmother gave that to all of us when we got sick. Turpentine was a seasonal remedy for colds and parasites. We survived and even today I use it. A good remedy for acid reflux or indigestion is to take 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice immediately before eating each meal and 1/4 cup after each meal. This neutralizes the acid and if there is irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, a tbsp of slippery elm bark powder will help to heal the irritated membranes in the tube. This is also good for those suffering with Crohn's disease. I have found that vinegar and baking soda irritates the digestive tract. The aloe and slippery elm soothes and heals. I hope this helps.

Apple Cider Vinegar

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Posted by Hugh (London, UK) on 05/28/2007
 ★★★★★

I read about the properties of Cider Vinegar about 6 wks ago. I have Crohn's and after coming off an immunosuppressant some 18 months ago I developped a not uncommon side effect of Crohn's, flitting arthritis, quite intense, moving from joint to joint, generally in the wrists/hands, sometimes the feet, on a daily basis. I tried cider vinegar and after a few days I was virtually pain free for about a week, and then messed up the quantity required, and it came back. I have found that about 2 tbspns a day, spread through the day (with a slice of lemon and tspn of honey, generally 1 tbsn with a pint of hot water is a refreshing drink in the afternoon) and after a couple of days I was almost pain free (a vague awareness, not pain, of certain joints) and that has gone on now for over a week. I take 1 tspn in the morning with some lime juice and again 2 more lots of the same in the evening and just before bed

It also appears to be beneficial for the Crohn's, product/leaking.

Below that, even 1 tspn, the arthritis makes its presence felt, but much less so.

I have concerns about the acidity and the long term effect on teeth, so I am now trying it with some bicarb. I will report back.

Unfortunately it did not work on a wart on my finger, but then that has been resisting everything (surgery, freezing, caustic pencil, salicylic acid (3 yrs) duct tape) for the last 15 years.

Barley Grass and Pau D'Arco

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Posted by Kelly (Pinconning, Michigan) on 07/21/2014
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Was at the Health Food Store picking up more Barley Grass for my boyfriend's Crohn's disease when I overheard a man looking for Pau D' Arco tea for his Crohn's. Apparently after many years of suffering from this disease, he only had 18" of his intestine left and after that was going to have to wear a bag. But he discovered this tea and has been drinking it every day and hasn't had any problems since. My boyfriend doesn't drink tea but I found capsules for him and he takes two a day along with the Green Barley Grass (two a day 500 mg each) and he swears this changed his life. He hasn't been sick since December of '13. We do not run out of the Pau D' Arco or Green Barley Grass anymore.

Replied by Martin
(Philippines)
07/17/2015

Are you sure this is safe? I also took barley pills after reading your comment. At first I felt relief from my symptoms for the whole month. I can take any food I want. But then when I increased the dosage to 4 pills every meal I developed urticaria and keratosis pilaris. I'm also taking some blackstrap molasses, baking soda, chlorella, and Apple Cider Vinegar pills. I started to take Blackstrap Molasses and Apple Cider Vinegar pills almost 2 weeks ago. I don't know what's happening. Kindly enlighten me. I read somewhere that barley is gluten but the pills I'm taking are gluten free. The brand I'm taking is pines barley grass. USDA organic and gluten free. When I also take some Apple Cider Vinegar pills, my body starts to itch. I can't get any relief from antihistamines. The only thing that helped me lessen my hives is vitamin a. I'm also now taking flaxseed oil. I stopped taking Apple Cider Vinegar pills, blackstrap molasses and barley. I don't know if I'm going to stop taking chlorella. I'm taking chlorella because of my problem with my hormones and hyperthyroidism for one year on and off. I can testify that chlorella made my thyroid back to normal. It is almost a week since I developed urticaria. It's rainy season in our country I don't know if it has connections. There are a lot of small insects too and mosquitos. Maybe it's an infection in the blood or hexheimer's?

Replied by Linda
(Ohio)
08/07/2015
★★★★★

I have been using just the Pau D'Arco for 3 months now and my Crohn's is all but gone. Thank you for the advise. I did not try the barley after looking up the side effects.

Replied by Martin
(Philippines)
08/31/2015

Be careful with barley. It made my condition much worse. Now I have totally intolerance in every food I eat. I'll try pau d' arco

Replied by Martin
(Philippines)
10/08/2015

Hi Linda,

What are the side effects you found out about barley? Would you share it with us?

Replied by Emrol
(Virginia)
10/12/2015

I would like to know how much of the Pau D Arco tea have you been drinking daily. What strength? I started taking it today.

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile , Tn.)
10/12/2015

HI U EMROL, , , , , , , , , , , ,

My only contribution to this thread is that I take 20 Barley Leaf pills a day as part of Bill Henderson's modification to the Budwig cancer protocol. Supposedly the Barley leaf contains some 3000 enzymes, more than any other plant.

I want to encourage all that have cancer to watch Ty Bollinger's natural cancer cures starting Tuesday night. The URL is as follows.

https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/?pid=39ae0ec0-2ae7-42aa-84e0-b878614dcef8

For most, it will be mind boggling. You will learn that cancer has been naturally cured for some 70 years in many ways , and just how corrupt our medical folks are.

I have two reasons I raise my own food. First it is more heathy than what I can buy in the stores. Second, soon it will be my only source of food.

Life is just fixing to get about as interesting as we can stand. You fill in the blanks.

=======ORH===============

Replied by Gerry
(Pr)
10/26/2015

Hi!! I bought Pau D'arco capsules. The ones that are really dark green. I have Crohns. Can you tell me when and how does he take them? With food? I read it can increase bleeding, so I'm kind of scared. Do you know how does the Pau D'arco work? I've had Crohns since I was 7 and when I was 17 I had part of my distal ileum and part of my descending colon resected :(. I'm using humira and its kind of not working anymore

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
10/26/2015

Dear Gerry,

I am not sure that Pau D'arco capsules will work. That herb needs a good bit of heat and time to draw out the healing properties from the bark. When I have used it, I have steeped the bark on low heat for about an hour.

You mentioned curcumin in another post. Personally, I think regular turmeric is better. Curcumin is only part of what is in turmeric.

Have you tried slippery elm bark? It is very gentle and healing to the digestive tract. Milk Kefir would be another thing to look into for healing.

Also, have you read, "The Maker's Diet?" The author cured himself of Chrohn's with diet.

I hope you fine some solutions to give you relief!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Dd
(Olympia, Wa)
10/26/2015
★★★★★

In regard to Pao d Arco; it is an amazing herb and has healed my daughter's irritated eyes when she places a warm tea bag on her eye externally and lets it soak. It has helped me with my lupus as well as immune support. Another herbal combination that could help Chrone's is the Anti-bio or Immune Support put out by Crystal Star. It has helped my fibromyaglia and lupus, which has affected joints, nerves, muscles in my body along with my bowels being affected. It has relieved my symptoms.

Replied by Debbie
(Ga)
11/30/2015
★★★★★

All in know is that my dog had this huge tumor on his neck. I could not afford to have it seen about. I read up on tumors & after a month of one capsule of Pau D'Arco a day that tumor shrunk & disappeared & never came back.

If it cures a tumor I think it would help heal crohns. It has many uses.

Every one is different, so use your discretion.

Barley Grass, Slippery Elm

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Posted by Macky (New Iberia, La) on 12/13/2009
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had Crohn's Disease 20 years and could not get well. The last flare up I was going to the Dr twice a day to get predisone in my veins and it was not working. This flare up lasted about 4 months. I learned about Barley Grass(capsules) so I took it and the bleeding stopped soon after. I continued to take barley grass and vitamins and later learned about Slippery Elm (herb) also.These herbs and vitamins healed me of this horrible flare up and I have not had another flare up since then. That was 12 years ago. Before this I flared up every year. I stopped drinking milk and caffeine (I drink soy milk). I am sharing this so people suffering with Crohns can read about these herbs. I give God the glory for this. I had prayed so earnestly for help with this horrible disease.

Replied by Angel
(Sanantonio, Texas)
01/04/2011

While you were taking the barley grass and slippery elm, were you on any other medications that you took at the same time? If so what were they? Thank you

Replied by Macky
(New Iberia, La)
06/08/2013

I had been on meds for flare ups of Crohn'sfor many years. I had bad side effects from the meds so when I started taking the Barley Grass I was not on any prescriptions. I haven't taken any meds since 1997 and do not have any problems with my colon. I avoid caffeine and cows milk. I also took acidophilus. Please read about the benefits of barley grass. I took capsules instead of powder I pray you get well. Thank you. Macky

Replied by Martin
(Philippines)
08/31/2015

I also took barley but made my condition worse. At first I felt relief but after a month, I feel bloated. I had itches and hives. I also had blepharitis and eczema. I only took barley and Apple Cider Vinegar so I think I got this from barley.

Replied by Sneha
(Marysville)
06/27/2016

Hi your article was really helpful my husband is also suffering from crohn and I know flare ups are so horrible. In this disease he is also on some steroids - its part of treatment. Just wanted to know could you please tell me when and how much barley capsule you take in day with slippery elm herb thank you.

Replied by Macky M.
(Louisiana)
04/07/2018
★★★★★

At the time, I think I took 6 barley grass by Natures Way. I also took acidophilus then added zinc. I didn't learn about Slippery Elm til later.

I pray your husband gets well from this. I drink Almond milk now instead of soy.

Colloidal Silver

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Posted by Sharon (Florida) on 07/12/2021
 ★★★★★

Crohn's can be cured with colloidal silver. It worked for my friend. Go to notmilk.org and see the article on Crohn's and milk. Studies prove that Crohn's is caused by the tuberculosis virus from cows that have it. If you drink milk from cows that have TB it can cause Crohn's. Studies also show that it is curable with an antibiotic. Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic available at any health food store and it won't give you a yeast infection since it only kills the bad bacteria, not the good.

Replied by Mike
(South Carolina)
12/23/2022

Hi...I have been using Colloidal Silver for about 20 years . I am not a medical doctor, but have read it destroys both good and bad bacteria. That said, it can leave the intestinal lining open to attack from bad bacteria without enough good bacteria to help. Another source recommended using Kefir to rebuild good bacteria and protect the lining of the intestine. It makes sense and I have found it helps reduce diarrhea. I make my own from the Kefir grains. Maybe a thought for some to try?

Dietary Changes

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Posted by Ben (Bremerton, Washington ) on 03/04/2016
 ★★★★★

How many times have we heard it said "drink your milk, it's good for you ". Our mothers said it, our doctors said it, television commercials said it even our schools said it. we fill our children's bellies at nearly every meal and insist that they drink up. you need the calcium to grow strong bones we tell them. but what we don't tell our children is the hidden danger that may be lying in every drop of the milk we so highly trust.

Cattle have an infectious disease called Johnes that produces horrible bloody lesions in the intestines. These lesions swell shut and frequently interfere with passage of stools. The pain is agonizing. The diarrhea never ending. Well, that pretty much sounds like Crohn's disease in humans.

After extensive scientific analysis researchers have found the organism mycobacterium avium paratuburculosis causes the same bloody lesions in cattle as it does in humans. Http://www.Crohn's.org/ see also notmilk.com/dr greger/Crohn's

So what it the problem? Milk gets pasteurized right? Well, consider this before you drink another drop. The USDA standards for milk pasteurization require the milk to be warmed to 165 degrees for a mere 15 seconds. Researchers working with the map bacteria have found that mycobacterium avium paratuburculosis can easily withstand 194 degrees for one minute. It is one of the highest heat tolerant organisms known. In other words, it goes right through the pasteurization process unscathed to be poured out intact right on top of your cereal.

There is a dramatic rise in intestinal disorders worldwide including Crohn's in most countries where they accept USDA guidelines for milk pasteurization. However, in India they drink huge amounts of milk but have low incidence of Crohn's. What could be the difference? They boil their milk for more than 1 minute, we don't.

So if we are being exposed to a dangerous mycobacterium why don'/t we all get sick? The answer to that would be the strength of our immune system and the presence of good bacteria continually fighting against it.

The scientific community treats Crohn's disease by giving antibiotics like candy and trying to reduce inflammation with steroidal anti-inflammatory. This avenue of approach is like putting gasoline on a fire. Map bacteria are intracellular organisms (mycoplasma) that feed off of preformed sterols. They actually get a break when you take ineffective antibiotics which serve to kill off their enemies the good beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

So what do you do with this bug to get rid of it? You work with the immune system not against it. And you take specific forms of bacteria that once were commonly found in the soil. You kill off the map with friendly bacteria of rare species.

A young man named Jordan Rubin once was a very healthy young man in the prime of life. After developing Crohn's disease at age 19, he lost more than half his body weight. He became bed ridden suffering excruciating agony from bloody intestines, excreting diarrhea so frequently he could seldom ever sleep. He looked like a walking skeleton and grew close to death actually praying to god to take him home or help him find the answer.

That was his moment of discovery. he found a scientific article about a research group working with rare types of soil organisms that once had been present in crop soils but now are long gone. These bacteria when tested exhibited types of antibacterial compounds lethal to map.

Today Jordan Rubin has fully recovered from Crohn's and become a doctor. He has developed his recipe of soil organisms into a probiotic freely available at any health food store. You can read about his journey from disease back to wellness in his book "patient, heal thyself".

Sorry, I won't mention the name of the probiotic as it might be considered spam. But realize soil organisms are indeed our primal defensive system

Now, one more bit of advice on healing Crohn's disease. A chemical exists which has an affinity for killing mycoplasma intracellular organisms, such as map and mycoplasma fermentans, both extremely hard to kill. It's not actually an antibiotic drug, It's gallium nitrate, a solution of gallium metal. Look up George Eby research/Crohn's disease. This is a new method of dealing with Crohn's you might not see for many years in the future.

Replied by Natalie
(St Lazare, Quebec)
03/25/2016

Do you have any experience with soil based organisms? Or gallium nitrate?

Dietary Changes
Posted by Kim (Kaukauna, Wi, Usa) on 09/05/2013
 ★★★★★

I have had crohns disease for twenty five years. My change came with food - go back to what your ancestors ate. I started a garden. I eat lots of veggies and some fruit, minimal fruit doesn't agree with me. I use every thing all natural every ones genes r different but flare ups are minimal.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 09/05/2013
 ★★★★★

Stopping GMO foods will do wonders for Crohn's Disease. The gmo foods are treated as foriegn bodies and our body starts the immune response. Milk Kefir is the best for any type of Auto Immune disease. Good Health

Dietary Changes
Posted by Janet (Usa) on 09/04/2013
 ★★★★★

Anyone suffering from Crohn's might want to try the Paleo diet (primarily NO grains or dairy). I have been on this diet for four months and have not had a flare-up during this time. May be too soon to tell, but have read posts by other Crohn's sufferers saying that they were cured by following a Paleo diet plan.

Replied by Amber
(Ca)
07/10/2015

I have questions about the Paleo diet because I was told to not eat raw fruits/veggies and nuts. Isn't that what the Paleo diet mainly consists of? I'm afraid to try it....

Replied by Deb
(Florida, USA)
07/11/2015

Regarding the Vegetables on a Paleo Diet: You can lightly steam or saute them. Just rember the more you cook them, the less nutrition. Try to get free range meat.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Mark Bickett (Coos Bay, Or) on 04/03/2009
 ★★★★★

My wife has IBS/Crohn's and after book after book and days on the internet and a doctor that wanted to put her on a prescription we finally came to find the chief culprits in her case. After reading a book published by a doctor who suffered from Crohn's we eliminated several things from her diet and added some items. Anything with high fructose corn syrup was out, citrus fruits were reduced, sugar consumption was reduced , herbal teas for the tummy are used and an on the shelf digestive product with dicalcium phosphate and magnesium sterate are used. This so far has been working. But the corn syrup is a major player, it's in everything in America. We try to buy European when possible they at least use sugarn their cookies, jam, etc.

Replied by Geminish
(Bridgeport, Ct)
01/20/2012

What's the name of the book?

Replied by Health Coach
(Toronto, Ontario)
03/05/2014

Try reading the book "Reversing the vicious cycle" by Elaine Gottschall. I follow a vegan version of the diet mentioned in this book. Although not in remission at the moment, turmeric, mineral drops, probiotics and the most magical thing, boiled cabbage (about 7 minutes) in a vegan broth and eat before I go to bed. The boiled cabbage makes most (95%) of my pain go away!!

Replied by Sarah
(Arizona)
10/19/2016

Hi. After you cook it, do you eat the cabbage, drink the broth, or both?

Replied by Pam E.
(SouthWestern California)
08/14/2022
148 posts

Personally, I drink broth, but he says that he eats it, so I surmise he means to eat the cooked cabbage leaves. IDK whether there's any reason to pour out the broth, or if it's better to drink it. He doesn't say.

DMSO, Manuka

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Posted by Sheila B. (Toronto, On) on 08/16/2009
 ★★★★★

Crohn's - DMSO gel & Manuka Honey

Hi: Try applying DMSO gel on your lower tummy (colon area) 2x a day. It helps to rid of inflammation, and restore healthier bowels. It helps with reduction of pain after 1 hour. Manuka honey also helps heal wounds in the bowels and definitely helped me with reducing acute pain. I take 1/2 tspn on empty stomach 2x a day.

Lastly, do not over look proper food combining. It is very important.

Fish Oil

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Posted by Michael316 (Alton, Il) on 07/04/2013
 ★★★★★

Crohn's Disease relief/cure. A lady I know had Crohn's in the past and I asked her about it because I was having stomach problems and my father had died from Crohn's. She said she had suffered and tried many different medicines with no success. She read about this remedy and it worked... Take 4 quality fish oil tablets before bed and 4 after waking up in the morning. She said she stopped taking them about 8 months later.

Folate and Folic Acid

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Posted by PattifromCincinnati (Ohio) on 01/31/2024
 ★★★★★

Hello,

This article mentions folic acid as a supplement to take. I just wanted to mention that folic acid is a synthetic supplement and folate or methyl folate is utilized by the body more appropriately…and folic acid can only be metabolized by about half of the population. The other half that can't metabolize it has a lot of inflammatory results.

Fruit Enzymes

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Posted by Kim (Riverside, CA) on 05/13/2008
 ★★★★★

A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with colitis. I went to the doctor constantly with diarherra, pus and bleeding. I was having pain after every meal and at one point, was losing a pound a day. My doctor told me that I would have to stay on a diet of soft foods. I found a book on the internet called "Crohns and Colitis". The author talked about eating a strict fruit diet. I starting doing it and the symptoms that I had been suffering from for over a year left me. The enzymes in the fruit made all of the difference.

Replied by R.M.
(Stanton, Ca, USA)
06/21/2008
★★★★★

Fruit smoothies works as good as prednisone, though the prednisone has to be tapered of gradually. Without fruit smoothies, flare ups occurred even with prednisone and asacol. Not a cure, but a great help. Lets put it this way, I am NOT on prednisone (praise the Almighty), which is really MORE than I can ask for. One cup; made from all fresh fruit with 1/2 tsp of soy protein (from the powder mix). BTW, I also gave up black tea, except if constipated, and reduced all sweets except when I go on a binge. Also, DARK Chocolate in VERY SMALL quantities (an ounce?) helps shut off any symptoms of GERD.


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