Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease affecting the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum, causing chronic inflammation and symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. Continuous stretches of colon are typically affected in ulcerative colitis, versus the patchy, deeper inflammation of Crohn's disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ulcerative colitis can be life-threatening and there is no cure, but you can manage symptoms by adjusting your diet and finding which foods aggravate your condition.
Theories/Speculation
While a single diet plan for ulcerative colitis doesn't exist, during periods of remission, a varied diet rich in fruit, vegetables, meat, olive oils and fish, particularly blue fish, is recommended, according to a study by Dr. Alfredo Jose Lecendo and colleagues at the Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital General de Tomelloso, Vereda de Socuéllamos, in Spain.
Patients with irritable bowel disease in general tend to consume high amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugar, which may aggravate the condition, and consuming citrus fruits, fruit juices and vegetables could lower the risk of developing ulcerative colitis, notes the 2009 Lecendo study.
Dairy
Because of their high calcium content, dairy products are recommended to patients suffering from irritable bowel disease; however, if patients have lactose intolerance, they can replace milk with other calcium-rich products. If patients are on systemic steroids to control their disease, calcium and vitamin D3 supplements will prevent deficiencies, according to the Lecendo study.
Fats and Protein
Dietary fats have been studied as possible triggers of inflammatory bowel diseases, with a link demonstrated between consuming partially hydrogenated fats, like those found in margarine, and ulcerative colitis; and various studies show a link between fast food consumption and an increased risk for developing ulcerative colitis, according to the Lecendo study. Consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly n-6 PUFAs, which are pro-inflammatory, has been linked with ulcerative colitis.
Diet composition has been suspected of having a role in inflammatory bowel disease, and a high intake of animal protein, but not protein from eggs or dairy, was associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease in French middle-aged women, according to a study published in 2010 by Dr. Prevost Jantchou at the Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Sud, France.
Fiber
Restricting insoluble fiber in the diet is not necessary unless there is a flare-up of the disease or complications such as intestinal stenosis, a narrowing of the intestine that can cause abdominal pain, according to the Lecendo study. The Mayo Clinic recommends cooking vegetables, which may ease fiber digestion, and consulting your doctor before increasing your fiber intake significantly.
Considerations
Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases should be monitored for iron and folic acid deficiencies, which are common with these diseases. Watch for and avoid specific foods that aggravate your ulcerative colitis, such as broccoli or beverages with caffeine. If you find your diet is becoming limited, or you're beginning to lose weight, consider consulting with a dietitian, notes the Mayo Clinic.
References
- Mayo Clinic Ulcerative Colitis: Definition
- Mayo Clinic Ulcerative Colitis: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology":Importance of Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease; A. Lecendo; May 2009.
- "American Journal of Gastroenterology": Animal Protein Intake and Ris of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The E3N Prospective Study; P. Jantchou; May 2010.
