The Bidirectional Link between Nutritional Factors and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Dietary Deficits, Habits, and Recommended Interventions-A Narrative Review

• Published in: Foods 2023-05, Vol.12 (10), p.1987
• Main Authors: Saracino, Ilaria Maria, Spisni, Enzo, Imbesi, Veronica, Ricci, Chiara, Dussias, Nikolas Konstantine, Alvisi, Patrizia, Gionchetti, Paolo, Rizzello, Fernando, Valerii, Maria Chiara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 20th century; Chronic illnesses; Crohn's disease; Developing countries; Diet; Dietary supplements; Fatty acids; Food; Food science; Fruits; Gastrointestinal tract; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Intestine; LDCs; Lifestyles; Malnutrition; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Narratives; Nutrition; Nutrition research; nutritional interventions; Oils & fats; Parenteral nutrition; Quality of life; Remission; Requirements; Review; Signs and symptoms; Ulcerative colitis; Young adults
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods12101987

Inflammatory bowel diseases comprise Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract that develop in adolescence and early adulthood and show a rising pattern in industrialized societies, as well as in developing countries, being strongly influenced by environmental pressures such as nutrition, pollution and lifestyle behaviors. Here, we provide a narrative review of the bidirectional link between nutritional factors and IBD, of dietary deficits observed in IBD patients due to both the disease itself and dietary habits, and of the suggested nutritional interventions. Research of the literature was conducted. Clinical and basic research studies consistently demonstrate that diet could alter the risk of developing IBD in predisposed individuals. On the other hand, dietary interventions represent a valid tool in support of conventional therapies to control IBD symptoms, rebalance states of malnutrition, promote/maintain clinical remission and improve patients' quality of life. Although there are no official dietary guidelines for patients with IBD, they should receive nutritional advice and undergo oral, enteral, or parenteral nutritional supplementation if needed. However, the dietary management of malnutrition in IBD patients is complex; future clinical studies are required to standardize its management.