Crohn’s Disease in women: root causes, natural healing & functional medicine approaches

Crohn’s disease is one of the most complex, frustrating, and misunderstood digestive conditions — and women are being diagnosed with it more than ever before.

If you’ve been living with unexplained gut pain, fatigue, bloating, or unpredictable flare-ups, you’re not alone. In Australia, around 100,000 people live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, and roughly half of those diagnosed are women. Cases are rising, particularly among younger women aged 25–45, and experts say environmental stress, diet, and modern lifestyles are playing a major role.

The allopathic medical system often focuses on managing symptoms, but true healing starts by understanding the why. What’s driving inflammation in the first place? And how can we support the gut and immune system so they can do what they’re designed to do — heal?

Today, we’ll break it all down, the root causes, medical vs natural approaches, and an action plan you can start today to support your healing journey.

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from mouth to anus – though it most commonly targets the small intestine and colon.

It’s part of a group of conditions called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), alongside ulcerative colitis.

When you have Crohn’s, your immune system mistakes healthy gut tissue for a threat and launches an inflammatory attack. Over time, this leads to tissue damage, nutrient malabsorption, pain, and digestive distress.

Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping

• Diarrhoea or loose stools

• Fatigue and low energy

• Bloating and food sensitivities

• Weight loss or nutrient deficiencies

• Joint pain, skin issues, and brain fog

What causes Crohn’s Disease?

There’s no single cause, it’s a perfect storm of genetics, immune dysfunction, gut imbalance, and environmental stressors. But functional medicine dives deeper into the root systems behind that inflammation.

Let’s break them down:

1. Gut Dysbiosis (Bacterial Imbalance)

A healthy gut microbiome acts like a protective barrier, producing anti-inflammatory compounds and teaching the immune system how to respond appropriately. When this balance is disrupted (by antibiotics, stress, or processed foods), it can trigger an overactive immune response and inflammation.

Dr Austin Lake explains, “When the gut barrier breaks down, it’s like leaving the front door of your house wide open, the immune system goes into overdrive.”

2. Leaky Gut & Immune Confusion

Crohn’s is often preceded by increased intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut.” This means toxins and undigested food particles leak into the bloodstream, triggering chronic inflammation and immune confusion.

Gary Brecka frequently highlights that gut permeability and low oxygenation are root drivers of autoimmune-type inflammation, including Crohn’s. He says, “Fix your oxygen, fix your gut, fix your body”, and I firmly believe this too.

3. Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, B12, and iron are common in Crohn’s disease – these deficiencies weaken immunity, slow repair, and reduce energy.

4. Environmental Toxins & Food Additives

Processed foods, artificial sweeteners, pesticides, and emulsifiers (like polysorbate 80) can disrupt gut bacteria and inflame the intestinal lining.

5. Stress, Hormones & the Gut-Brain Axis

Women are particularly vulnerable to gut flare-ups under chronic stress. Elevated cortisol and adrenaline shift blood flow away from digestion, impair stomach acid production, and disrupt the microbiome. Dr Libby Weaver often says that rushing woman syndrome — constant multitasking, caffeine, and emotional load — creates the perfect environment for inflammatory gut conditions to thrive.

The medical system’s approach to Crohn’s Disease

Conventional medicine views Crohn’s as an autoimmune condition with no ‘known’ cure, managed primarily through medication and surgery.

Common treatments include:

• Corticosteroids (like prednisone) to reduce inflammation.

• Immunosuppressants to calm immune overactivity.

• Biologic drugs (like Humira or Remicade) that target inflammatory cytokines.

• Antibiotics for bacterial overgrowth or infection.

• Surgery to remove damaged intestinal sections (in advanced cases).

While these can help manage severe flare-ups, they come with long-term side effects and rarely address the root causes: gut dysbiosis, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental stress.

The functional & natural medicine approach

Functional medicine views Crohn’s not as a disease to suppress but as a communication from the body, a sign that your gut, immune, and detox systems need to be rebalanced.

This holistic view aims to calm inflammation, repair the gut lining, restore microbial diversity, and rebuild nutrient stores.

Now let’s look at the key pillars of healing:

1. Healing the Gut Lining

Start by reducing inflammation and sealing the gut barrier.

Functional protocols include:

• L-glutamine: an amino acid that strengthens the intestinal wall.

• Colostrum: Gary Brecka’s go-to supplement for mucosal repair and immune modulation.

• Zinc carnosine & aloe vera: soothe and heal intestinal tissue.

• Bone broth & collagen peptides: rebuild connective tissue and boost nutrient absorption.

A short-term carnivore or elimination diet (under supervision) can reduce antigen load, giving the gut a chance to reset. Gary Brecka often recommends a 30–45 day strict carnivore phase, rich in clean animal proteins, organ meats, and electrolytes, followed by gradual reintroduction of foods.

2. Calming inflammation

Inflammation is at the core of Crohn’s.

Natural anti-inflammatories can make a big difference:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (wild salmon, sardines, fish oil)

• Curcumin (turmeric)

• Boswellia serrata

• Vitamin D3 + K2

• Resveratrol and green tea extract

Dr Austin Lake often combines these with fasting-mimicking protocols and gut-directed breathwork to further reduce inflammatory cytokines, you can learn more about it here.

3. Balancing the microbiome

A healthy gut flora is the foundation of recovery.

Start slow, with targeted probiotic strains like Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium infantis.

This is where my For Her Probiotic (or For Him, for the men in your life) can make a real difference – it’s food-based, gentle, and made to support the natural rebalancing of the microbiome.

4. Restoring nutrient levels

Because Crohn’s impacts absorption, testing and replenishing nutrients is critical:

• Magnesium glycinate or malate

• Vitamin B12 (methylated form)

• Zinc, iron, selenium

• Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium)

Gary Brecka often pairs these with peptide therapy (like BPC-157) to accelerate gut healing and tissue regeneration. Peptides are rarely discussed in the conventional system, but they are absolutely worth looking into, especially if you have Crohns or ulcerative colitis.

5. Nervous System & Emotional Healing

Crohn’s flares are deeply tied to stress and nervous system dysregulation. Healing isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and energetic.

Try this daily:

• 10 minutes of morning sunlight (without sunglasses on).

• 5 minutes of slow breathing (inhale 4, exhale 6).

• Gentle movement (walks, yoga, or Pilates).

• Limit screens and blue light after dark (I wear these blue light blockers when using screens after dark).

• Prayer or journaling before bed.

Dr Libby Weaver says, “You cannot heal in the same state that made you unwell.” When your body feels safe, it will heal.

Testing & tracking progress

Functional medicine testing can uncover what’s driving your Crohn’s:

Action Plan: How to start healing today

Healing from Crohn’s takes time, but every small change adds up. Here’s a simple 4-week framework you can start today:

Week 1:

• Eliminate all inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, refined sugar, alcohol, seed oils).

• Consider starting a short-term (8-10 week) carnivore diet. It’s best to do this under the guidance of a Functional Medicine Pratitioner.

• Begin daily hydration with mineral-rich water and a pinch of salt.

• Add bone broth and include gentle proteins.

Week 2:

• Introduce probiotics and collagen (start slow).

• Add magnesium and omega-3s.

• Begin gentle breathwork or meditation.

Week 3:

• Support liver detox: minimise or eliminate caffeine and add lemon water and dandelion tea.

• Prioritise 8+ hours of sleep – this one is crucial.

• Journal daily to release emotional tension.

Week 4:

• Test and track progress.

• Take time for self-care, eg. a massage or recovery session in mineral pools.

• Celebrate wins and note what your body responds best to.

The hope in healing

Crohn’s can feel unpredictable, but it doesn’t have to define you.

Your gut has an extraordinary ability to heal when given the right environment. With patience, nourishment, and daily rituals of self-care, you can calm inflammation, rebuild your microbiome, and rediscover energy and freedom.

As Dr Northrup says, “Your body is built to heal, you just need to stop getting in its way.”

Start supporting your gut today

If you’re ready to begin your gut-healing journey, start simple:

Try my For Her Probiotic — made from real whole foods to naturally rebalance gut bacteria, reduce inflammation, and support digestion.

Or download my 7-Day Gut Healing Meal Plan – a printable, step-by-step guide filled with easy recipes, a full shopping list, and daily support to start healing your gut and energy right away.

Because when your gut heals, your whole life changes.💕