Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a deceptively simple
term encompassing several embarrassing, disruptive and
sometimes life-threatening conditions — no toilet
humour, please. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease
are the most common of these intestinal disorders. But
whatever the form, for approximately 170,000 Canadians
with IBD, frequent trips to the bathroom, abdominal pain
and cramps, weight loss and fatigue are no laughing matter.
Effective treatment of IBD remains
almost as elusive as a cure. Conventional therapy, including
corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, intestinal anti-inflammatory
drugs and antibiotics, may be helpful for IBD —
and may produce a host of side effects. Some patients
find avoiding certain foods can help control flare-ups,
though there are currently no standardized diet recommendations.
But a special beverage being developed for commercial
production may safely calm UC.
"An oral supplement which combines
fish oil, soluble fibre and antioxidants is safer and
causes fewer side effects than many of the medications
currently available to treat ulcerative colitis," states
Dr Douglas Seidner, lead author of an article published
in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and
Hepatology.
Dr Seidner and colleagues from
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation enrolled 121 adults
who've had to deal with mild to moderate UC for at least
six months into the study. Participants received either
the team's Ulcerative Colitis Nutritional Supplement
(UCNS) or a prepared carbohydrate-based drink as a placebo.
MOVE
OVER MEDS
The researchers found UC patients who supplemented their
regular diet with just over two 24mL cans of the special
beverage daily for six months were able to reduce their
corticosteroid medication, without increasing the use
of other medications. Patients not taking corticosteroids
were also less likely to add these drugs to their regimen
if they took the supplement.
Like multi-drug therapy, the combination
of ingredients in the supplement may reduce inflammation
on several levels. Eicosapentanoic acid in fish oils
inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids.
Fructo-oligosaccharides and gum arabic are fermented
to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that support the growth
of beneficial bacteria in the lower gut (direct supplementation
is ineffective because SCFA are absorbed by the small
intestine before reaching the colon). Antioxidants provide
a defence against reactive oxygen species that build
up in the plasma and mucosa of patients with UC. But
Dr Seidner notes one important difference: unlike multi-drug
therapy, the supplement is virtually free of side effects.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol
Apr 2005;3(4):358-69
|
