Preventing and relieving hemorrhoids through diet

The hemorrhoidal crisis is a expansion and an inflammation hemorrhoids. Having “hemorrhoids” is a misnomer: everyone has hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids correspond to the network of arterial and venous vessels around the anus, they participate in continence. We find the internal network located upstream of the anal canal and the external network around the perimeter of the anal orifice. When rectal hemorrhoids are affected, we speak of an internal hemorrhoidal crisis. If it is the veins located under the skin around the anus that swell, then it is an external hemorrhoidal crisis. More annoying than dangerous, the hemorrhoidal crisis is accompanied by itching, bleeding, oozing or sharp pain (especially in the case of internal hemorrhoids). Around one in two people are or will one day be affected by an attack of hemorrhoids.

We speak of hemorrhoidal disease when the hemorrhoidal crisis is recurrent. The prevalence of hemorrhoidal crises is increasing, a figure linked to the increase in cases of constipation. In fact, the constipation is a factor in the appearance “hemorrhoids”. The excessive effort required to defecate causes the hemorrhoids to expand, which eventually become inflamed if the outbreaks are repeated. THE blood circulation disorders also increase the risk of developing a hemorrhoidal crisis.

Complications are rare, but present: strangulation of hemorrhoids in the anus, hemorrhoidal thrombosis, worsening of constipation, etc. In the event of a complication, a disabling hemorrhoidal crisis or hemorrhoidal disease, ligation or removal of the hemorrhoids may be necessary. Before getting to the surgical procedure, diet helps prevent hemorrhoidal attacks and reduce the pain caused by them.

Constipation and circulation disorders are the two major risk factors for hemorrhoids. A suitable diet regulates digestive transit. To do this, it is necessary to focus your diet on:

• Fibers: dietary fiber is non-absorbable. We do not have the enzymatic material required to break down the fibers. Thus, the fibers pass through the digestive tract. Consequently, they increase the fecal mass and accelerate digestive transit. These are anti-constipation nutrients.

Hemorrhoids can be painful, especially when defecating. The passage of feces irritates the already inflamed hemorrhoids. You need to adapt your diet to make going to the bathroom less painful. To do this, please favor:

• Soluble fiber : Soluble fibers are a subgroup of fibers. They also cannot be digested or absorbed by the body: they therefore remain in the intestines, thus modulating transit. Due to their hydrophilic nature (which loves water), they hydrate the stools. The stools become more flexible and soft, which makes defecation easier and limits pain.

Conversely, compounds cause or increase pain, such as:

• Irritants : certain molecules present in foods are poorly digestible. These reach the end of the digestive tract and irritate itnt. For example, capsaicins, active compounds of strong spices irritate the mucous membranes. Others are direct digestive irritants, such as alcohol or coffee (if on an empty stomach).

Alcohol irritates all of the digestive mucous membranes, including the anal sphincter.

We recommend you to limit the consumption of alcohol and alcohol-based preparations (chocolate liqueur, alcohol-based dessert, meat simmered with alcohol, etc.) 

Spices and strong condiments tend to irritate the mucous membranes. During a hemorrhoidal crisis, excessive consumption of these products greatly increases pain.

We recommend you :

• avoid excess strong condiments: pickled vegetables (pickles), vinegar, hot sauces, spicy oils, mustard, etc.

• to favor sweet spices: vanilla, star anise, turmeric, nutmeg, saffron, cardamom, etc.

• reduce the consumption of strong spices: paprika, pepper, chilli, ginger, horseradish, etc.

On an empty stomach, coffee irritates the digestive mucous membranes. It is essential to avoid excess coffee when these mucous membranes are already damaged, which is the case with hemorrhoids.

We recommend you :

• avoid excess coffee: maximum 4 standard cups per day

• to consume food before or while drinking coffee.

The powders of Psyllium and of Konjac are rich in soluble fiber. There are 1.8 g of soluble fiber for a serving of Konjac powder (2 g) and 12.6 g of soluble fiber for a serving of Psyllium powder (10 g).

Within the digestive tract, these powders form a gel by absorbing available water. They will make the stools soft and moist, which facilitates defecation and prevents constipation.

As a precaution, they should not be consumed daily so as not to disrupt the intestinal flora and intestinal functioning too much. Start with low dosages, and increase gradually. In case of abnormal pain, please stop the treatment.

To prevent a crisis, we recommend enrich your diet with Psyllium or Konjac, 2 to 3 times a week.

During a crisis, we recommend to consume 15 g of Psyllium powder or 2 g of Konjac powder, to be diluted in a liquid, for 4 days. If the pain does not improve, please consult a healthcare professional.

THE chia seeds are special little seeds due to their very interesting soluble fiber content. On contact with a liquid, these fibers gel. This gelling softens the stools, thus improving digestive transit. For 15 g of Chia seeds, there are 5.2 g of fiber.

We recommend you to consume 15 g of Chia seeds per day, sprinkled in a liquid.

Drying fruits concentrates their nutrients, including fiber. Fiber regulates digestive transit, which prevents the risk of constipation (and therefore hemorrhoidal crisis).

Certain fruits are particularly richer in fiber, this richness is also reflected in the dried version. Thus, dried fruits also help reduce the pain caused by hemorrhoids.

We recommend you :

• to consume 25 g of dried fruit per day.

• to prefer dried fruits rich in soluble fiber during attacks: dried apples, prunes, dried pears, dates, THE dried figs, THE dried apricots, etc.

Nuts are particularly useful in preventing hemorrhoidal crises. In fact, they are rich in fiber (mostly insoluble) and lipids. Fibers fight constipation and lipids have mild laxative properties.

We recommend you to consume 15 g of nuts per day: hazelnut, brazil nut, macadamia nuts, almonds, pistachios, etc.

Focus on fruits and vegetables in the event of a hemorrhoid attack. The fibers which constitute them accelerate digestive transit. In addition, plants are rich in water. Water should not be neglected to prevent constipation.

Furthermore, it seems that anthocyanins, phytonutrients present in certain plants, have beneficial effects for blood circulation. Anthocyanins reduce blood circulation disorders, a factor in the appearance of hemorrhoidal attacks.

We recommend you :

• to eat five fruits and vegetables a day.

• to favor plants rich in soluble fiber during the crisis: apples, plums, quince, citrus fruits, peaches, asparagus, carrots, Brussels sprouts, green beans, etc.

• to favor red fruits, richer in anthocyanins: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, etc.

Legumes and whole grains provide insoluble fiber. In fact, there is an average of 16 g of fiber per 100 g of dried vegetables and 6 g of fiber for whole grains. Insoluble fiber accelerates digestive transit, preventing hemorrhoidal crisis.

Be careful, during an attack, this intake of insoluble fiber does not eliminate the pain associated with defecation.

Moreover, before opting for whole starchy foods, remember to introduce semi-complete starchy foods first. The increase in fiber intake is done gently so as not to disrupt intestinal transit and promote a hemorrhoidal crisis.

We recommend you :

• to consume whole-grain starchy foods at each meal: whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat rice, whole-wheat flour, whole-wheat bread, buckwheat, quinoa, small spelt, etc.

• to eat dried vegetables twice a week: lentils, beans, red beans, chickpeas, split peas, etc.

Vegetable oils also have their benefits in prevention and during a hemorrhoidal crisis. The lipids which constitute them soften the stools, which contributes to the prevention of constipation and pain.

In addition, by relying on vegetable oils rich in omega-3 (polyunsaturated fatty acids), they fight against the inflammation of hemorrhoids, which helps to stem the crisis.

We recommend you consume two tablespoons of vegetable oils rich in omega-3, raw, daily: nut oil, camelina oil, linseed oil, soya oil, Colza oil, hemp oil, etc.

• A synergy ofessential oils against hemorrhoids : this synergy combines circulatory, draining and analgesic essential oils with Calophylle Inophyle vegetable oil (also circulatory). In short, it is an ideal combination to prevent the appearance and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoid attacks.

• Regular physical activity : sport is essential to prevent hemorrhoidal crisis. Indeed, movement reduces the risk of constipation and fights against swelling of the veins. During an attack, choose moderate activity to limit the pain caused by friction.

• Sufficient hydration: water helps prevent constipation, and therefore the appearance of hemorrhoids. In addition, water will necessarily liquefy the stools, which helps reduce possible pain during defecation. We advise you to favor circulatory herbal teas, which will amplify the benefits of hydration. There Red Vine, l’Yarrow, the Birch, the Meadowsweet are, for example, circulatory plants.