Colitis and ulcerative colitis

January 24, 2002 by Linda Lazarides
Filed under Health issues

Promising nutritional research

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.

Information compiled by Linda Lazarides
Naturopathic Nutritionist, Author, Educator