18 ulcerative colitis patients were randomized to a diet free of foods that
appeared to provoke symptoms, or to a control group. At the end of the trial the
diet group had significantly few symptoms than the controls. No foods
consistently provoked symptoms in all patients. Candy S et al: The value of an
elimination diet in the management of patients with ulcerative colitis. S Afr
Med J 85(11):1176-9, 1995.
Marine fish oil supplements may reduce the inflammation associated with
ulcerative colitis. Ross E: The role of marine fish oils in the treatment of
ulcerative colitis. Nutr Rev 52(2):47-9, 1993.
10 patients with ulcerative colitis were given a high dose of EPA capsules
for 8 weeks. Seven patients had moderate to marked improvement and 4 out of the
5 patients on steroids were able to reduce their dosage. Salomon P et al:
Treatment of ulcerative colitis with fish oil n-3-omega-fatty acid: an open
trial. J Clin Gastroeneterol 12(2):157-61, 1990.
In a 4-month placebo-controlled trial, 29 ulcerative colitis patients in
remission from the disease were given either psyllium husk supplements or
placebo. The psyllium group experienced a significantly higher rate of
improvement than the placebo group. Hallert C et al: Ispaghula husk may relieve
gastrointestinal symptoms in ulcerative colitis in remission. Scand J
Gastroenterol 26(7):747-50, 1991.
In a placebo controlled study on 43 stable ulcerative colitis patients
randomized to receive either fish oil, evening primrose oil or placebo for 6
months in addition to their usual treatment, it was found that evening primrose
oil significantly improved stool consistency at 6 months, but there was no
improvement in other symptoms in any of the groups. Greenfield SM et al: A
randomized controlled study of evening primrose oil and fish oil in ulcerative
colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 7(2):159-66, 1993.
