Each month we analyze all the latest studies and resources relevant to nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Then we summarize them and bring you everything you need to know about using nutritional therapy to help manage Crohn’s and colitis.
This month, we’ll cover:
The latest studies, and what they mean for you.
Where to find new nutritional therapy podcasts.
The most useful diet + IBD tweets of the month.
How to use yoga as a gentle exercise tool.
IBD-friendly summer recipes for the Fourth of July.
Let’s get to it.
- The Nutritional Therapy for IBD team
P.S. We’ve designed this mail so that clinicians and patients can skip to the parts most relevant to them. Skim-read away!
New Studies and What They Mean for Patients & Clinicians
It can be difficult to stay on top of new relevant resources relating to nutrition and IBD, so each month we highlight them for you.
Here are the latest.
What if homemade smoothies could be an alternative to commercial formulas for inducing remission in children newly diagnosed with CD?
Let’s dive into the science behind the paper and highlights from the authors:
“This research has the potential to expand treatment options given its reliance on standard food items from the grocery and better understanding why nutritional interventions like exclusive enteral nutrition work,” said David Suskind, professor of pediatrics at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine
The smoothie-only diet-induced clinical remission in 8 out of 10 children and reduced fecal calprotectin below 250 mcg/mg in 6 out of 10 participants
The authors modeled the formulation of home-based smoothies after the macro- and micronutrient content of common oral nutritional supplements used for exclusive enteral nutrition in IBD
The efficacy achieved by the whole-food smoothie was similar to commercial formulas and obtained in a shorter time (4 weeks vs 8-12 weeks)
The American Gastroenterological Association has launched a practical guideline with the do’s and don’ts of nutritional therapy in IBD.
Here are the main takeaways:
The Mediterranean diet is the first go-to diet
If there are strictures:
✅Try to consume: soluble fiber foods, peel and cook/steam vegetables and fruits, mash or blend and chew well
❌Avoid: insoluble fibers (brown rice, celery, flax, fruit and vegetable skins, etc.), unpeeled fruits, broccoli, lettuce, and corn
Exclusive enteral nutrition can help improve nutrition, reduce surgical complications, and induce remission in patients undergoing surgery
The Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet is a good alternative for children and adults with mild-to-moderate CD who are unable to follow an exclusive enteral nutrition regimen
In patients with IBD who are unable to follow oral or enteral nutrition due to intestinal failure, short-term parenteral nutrition may be used as a bridge to surgery and to improve surgical outcomes
All patients with IBD should undergo malnutrition identification and management under the supervision of a registered dietitian
Regular exercise can be of great help when managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for those with IBD. However, many people avoid exercising, as it can be difficult to find the energy when you’re not feeling well.
Yoga provides a great, gentle exercise starting point — especially if you’ve been fairly inactive due to your symptoms.
Yoga increases muscle strength and stamina, yet can be very low impact, with many exercises even possible from your bed or a chair.
Why not give it a try on National Yoga Day, June 21st?
Our medical advisors and volunteers have collaborated on several informative (and fun!) podcasts this past month. Here are two of our favorites.
➡ Nicole Pavlin and Abigail VanHoose, appeared on “Bowel Moments” to talk about the realities of living with IBD. Kim Braly, RD and Kim Beall, PharmD were interviewed about nutrition and IBD in the same series.
➡ Kim Beall also appeared on “One Thing with Dr. Adman Rinde,” a conversational podcast focusing on one significant thing in the arenas of gut health, brain health, immune system, metabolism, performance, and aging.
At Nutritional Therapy for IBD, we are grateful for the collaboration and support of our Corporate Partners. Through their partnership, we can work together to improve the lives and outcomes of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
*Please note that Nutritional Therapy for IBD does not provide medical advice. The content provided here is for informational purposes only. Patients should always talk with their healthcare providers before changing their diet.*
Nutritional Therapy for IBD, 1050 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, PO Box #1666, Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
