What you eat also plays an important role in supporting medical management of UC. Although there’s no single “UC diet,” a Mediterranean approach seems to be beneficial, says Farhadi.
“This type of diet can be helpful with ulcerative colitis because it’s adaptable to your preferences and has been shown to improve gastrointestinal function,” he explains. Although specific foods and eating styles differ among the 16 countries classified as Mediterranean, these common factors make this type of diet so helpful.
- Ample fruits and vegetables
- Emphasis on whole grains instead of refined grains
- Plenty of beans, nuts, and seeds
- Healthy fats, particularly olive oil
- Fish and poultry with minimal red meat
- Fruit as a dessert rather than highly processed sweets
Eating this way has been shown to lower inflammation, which is why it’s so important for UC, a condition characterized by high inflammation levels. A research review found that the Mediterranean diet can reduce inflammation and positively affect gut microbiota in those with UC and other diseases with chronic inflammation.
The strong focus on plant-based whole-food options in the Mediterranean diet also supports greater diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and strengthens the gut barrier, says James Williams, MD, a colorectal surgeon at Orlando Health’s Florida Medical Clinic in St. Petersburg.
“The other advantage with this diet is that it tends to lower the consumption of highly processed foods, because you’re replacing those with healthier choices,” he explains. “This type of diet does not replace use of medication for ulcerative colitis, but it can be an important complement to that medication and make treatment more effective.”
You’ll probably still need to modify your food choices if you’re having a flare, however. The fiber-rich foods included in a Mediterranean eating style can be hard to digest and make UC symptoms worse.
Read the full article here
