Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nutrition Science
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Nutritional assessment and dietary advice are essential for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies, including anemia and osteoporosis, are prevalent in IBD patients.
• While patients often suspect diet in IBD development, epidemiological evidence is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of nutritional assessment in IBD management.
• To discuss the role of diet in IBD, including its impact on the gut microbiota and functional symptoms.
• To explore the potential benefits of a low-fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet for IBD-related functional symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on nutrition in IBD.
• Analysis of epidemiological evidence regarding diet as an IBD risk factor.
• Examination of the association between dietary carbohydrates and functional gastrointestinal symptoms.

Main Results:

• Nutritional problems, including malnutrition and deficiencies, are common in IBD.
• Dietary changes, particularly exclusion diets, can lead to further nutritional deficits.
• Fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) are implicated in functional symptoms due to bacterial fermentation.
• Emerging evidence suggests a low-FODMAP diet can reduce functional symptoms in IBD.

Conclusions:

• Dietary interventions are critical for IBD patient care.
• A low-FODMAP diet shows promise for managing functional symptoms in IBD.
• Further research is needed to clarify the precise role of diet in IBD etiology and management.