How does diet affect the risk of IBD?
REPORTING FROM FRESTON CONFERENCE 2019
Diet also may exert a causal influence on IBD risk by altering the intestinal barrier. In an experimental model, 5-mg/mL concentrations of fiber from plantain and broccoli significantly reduced the translocation of Escherichia coli through a human intestinal epithelial barrier (Gut. 2010;59[10]:1331-9.). Increased fiber intake may thus result in reduced intestinal inflammation, said Dr. Ananthakrishnan.
Observational and experimental evidence thus support an effect of diet on the risk of IBD, and experimental evidence indicates that this effect is biologically plausible. Nevertheless, “there are many missing links,” and further study will clarify the role of diet in IBD incidence, said Dr. Ananthakrishnan.
AGA offers education for your patients about IBD, including lifestyle and nutrition management, in the AGA GI Patient Center at https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/gi-patient-center/topic/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd.
