Research on diet’s role in ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited, particularly regarding using food to reduce inflammation. Oriana Damas, MD, presented a study at Digestive Disease Week 2024 in Washington, DC, exploring the impact of a low-calorie plant-based diet on clinical response to medication in patients with active UC. Dr. Damas highlighted that diet therapy could influence UC inflammation, even in active disease cases, challenging the belief that diet has no role in UC management. The study involved 24 participants randomly assigned to either a plant-based diet or a low residue control diet, both with standard medical therapy for eight weeks.
Results showed a promising response in the plant-based diet group, with 50% achieving a clinical response (simple clinical colitis activity index [SCCAI] decrease by ≥3) compared to 30.7% in the control group. The mean decrease in SCCAI was significantly greater in the plant-based diet group (4.4) compared with the control group (1.61). A similar trend was observed among patients treated with JAK inhibitors. While the pilot study results are promising, Dr. Damas emphasized the need for more long-term data to validate the findings.
Reference: Brooks, A. Oriana Damas, MD: Intervals of a Low-Calorie, Plant-Based Diet Show Promise for UC. HCPLive. Published May 20, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.hcplive.com/view/exploring-diet-s-role-in-managing-ulcerative-colitis-with-oriana-damas-md
