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Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology

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01-12-2019 | Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity | Nutrition and Obesity (O Pickett-Blakely, Section Editor)

Popular Diet Trends for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Claims and Evidence

Authors: Andrew T. Weber, Neha D. Shah, Jenny Sauk, Berkeley N. Limketkai

Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

Purpose of review

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently look to diet to improve symptoms. Although regularly asked for dietary guidance, gastroenterologists are often unprepared to provide evidence-based recommendations. This review will summarize popular diets claiming benefits in IBD, as well as current data evaluating their efficacies.

Recent findings

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet has demonstrated symptom improvement and even mucosal healing; however, large trials and prospective data are lacking. The low FODMAP diet has shown benefit for functional symptoms in IBD, yet efficacy regarding inflammation is lacking. Large studies for the gluten-free diet yielded mixed results in IBD outcomes, while suggesting a negative impact on psychological well-being. Data on an “anti-inflammatory” diet were positive but remain severely limited. A currently planned large trial for the Mediterranean diet in IBD may provide much needed clinical data.

Summary

We provide an overview of frequently utilized diets in IBD. The body of evidence does not currently support clear dietary recommendations in IBD, as larger, prospective studies are needed.

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• Limketkai BN, Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Gjuladin-Hellon T, Parian A, Matarese LE, Bracewell K, et al. Dietary interventions for induction and maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2:CD012839. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012839.pub2This recent systematic review evaluating the safety and efficacy of dietary intervention in IBD included 18 randomized controlled trials with greater than 1800 participants. The study concluded that the data were lacking for drawing definitive conclusions for dietary recommendations, as benefits and harms remain unclear. This systematic review is the most comprehensive evaluation of dietary intervention in IBD to date.

Title: Popular Diet Trends for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Claims and Evidence
Authors: Andrew T. Weber
Neha D. Shah
Jenny Sauk
Berkeley N. Limketkai
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's Disease
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Nutrition
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 1092-8472
Electronic ISSN: 1534-309X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-019-00248-z

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