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Ulcerative colitis is the most common type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with no known cause. In ulcerative colitis, inflammation and ulcers develop in the colon and rectum. The inflammation usually starts in the rectum and proceeds upwards to the colon.
Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder, and there is no precise cure for it.
Treatment includes medications to manage symptoms and flare-ups. Dietary changes also play a significant role in managing the disease and improving quality of life.
Reports show that the incidence of ulcerative colitis is common between the ages of 15 and 30 years. According to statistics, about5 million people worldwide had ulcerative colitis in 2023.
Normally, the immune system in your body fights against pathogens — harmful foreign bodies. In ulcerative colitis, the immune system starts attacking the healthy cells in the colon lining. This causesinflammation in the colon that leads to the formation of ulcers or sores.
A person with ulcerative colitis experiences abdominal pain,diarrhea, and blood or pus in stools. Other common symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis include:
The severity of symptoms doesn’t remain the same. You may experience flare-ups for a while and then relief from the symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis is among those health conditions with no known cause. There are several proposed mechanisms for how the inflammation occurs, which include:
Autoimmune disease is a condition where the body’s immune system starts attacking the body’s healthy cells by making antibodies against them.In ulcerative colitis, the body mistakenly produces antibodies against the colon's lining. These antibodies are responsible for the inflammation and ulcers in the colon.
Studies found such antibodies in the blood of individuals with ulcerative colitis, indicating that an autoimmune response can cause colitis.
Genetics also contributes to the incidence of ulcerative colitis. Reports show that 8 to 14% of people with ulcerative colitis have a family history of the disease.
Studies have identified several genes that may be responsible for triggering autoimmune responses in ulcerative colitis.
Gut dysbiosis means a change in the balance between good and harmful bacteria in the gut.Reports show that gut dysbiosis contributes to causing ulcerative colitis. It’s because good gut bacteria support immune function and promote the activity of the protective intestinal mucosal layer. They also promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors which prevent inflammation.
During dysbiosis, pathogenic bacteria replace these good bacteria which results in intestinal inflammation.
In ulcerative colitis, the symptoms don’t remain the same all the time. During flare-ups, the severity of symptoms can grow intense enough to be unbearable. Apart from that, the symptoms may reduce to almost non-existent.
Certain factors can trigger flare-ups but they vary for each individual. However, here are a few factors that can trigger flare-ups andworsen ulcerative colitis in most patients:
Like other autoimmune disorders, you can’t completely cure ulcerative colitis. However, current treatment options can certainly help you get relief from the symptoms and improve your quality of life. These include:
There are several classes of medications available as a treatment option for ulcerative colitis. The medicines your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your symptoms and overall condition.
Medication therapy aims to reduce inflammation, prevent flare-ups, and improve healing. To achieve this goal, the common medicines used are:
Doctors recommend surgery when the medications don’t improve the symptoms. Surgery is also recommended when there is a risk of complications associated with ulcerative colitis. According toreports, about one-third of people with ulcerative colitis require surgery.
The most common surgical procedure for ulcerative colitis is the removal of the colon and rectum. This procedure is calledproctocolectomy.
After proctocolectomy, your body requires a compensatory mechanism for storing and removing stool. It is made possible by:
Since medications aren’t completely effective and surgery is a painful option, you must not just rely on these. Studies show thatdietary andlifestyle changes can also help in disease management.
Dietary changes are even more important as diarrhea and loss of appetite causenutrient deficiency among patients.
Scientific evidence is limited about the use of foods for treating ulcerative colitis. However, certain foods can reduce the inflammation and provide relief from the symptoms.
Some of the best foods to eat for ulcerative colitis include:
It’s now well-established thatnot all fats are bad. Rather, your body needs polyunsaturated fats that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Scientific evidence shows that omega-3 fatty acids can lower inflammation. That’s why the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseasesrecommends consuming omega-3 fatty acids.
Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:
Low-residue foods are those foods that produce less stool. These foods put less pressure on the digestive system and cause fewer bowel movements.Reports show that fewer bowel movements can provide relief from the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Some common low-residue foods include:
Studies show that a change in bacterial composition in the gut is a plausible cause of ulcerative colitis. Probiotic foods help to improve a healthy bacterial balance in the gut. They are also effective against pathogenic bacteria andprevent inflammation.
Some probiotic-rich foods include:
Also Read: 10 Probiotic Foods That You Should be Eating for Your Gut!
Fruits can help compensate for nutrient deficiency in ulcerative colitis. They also containantioxidants, which can help against inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Fruits contain soluble fibers, which areeffective against diarrhea, a common symptom in ulcerative colitis.
Some antioxidant-rich fruits that also contain soluble fibers include:
Fiber has plenty of benefits forgut health. It improves digestion andprotects against several health conditions. Fiber is also good for ulcerative colitis if you take the correct type and use it in moderation.
There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber dissolves in the body's water, making the stool soft and easier to pass. This type of fiber can improve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Comparatively,insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in the water and adds bulk to the stool. It puts more pressure on the digestive system and can worsen ulcerative colitis.
Astudy shows that dietary fiber helps minimize inflammation and supports the immune system in inflammatory bowel diseases. Anotherstudy reveals that a low-fat and high-fiber diet reduces inflammation and improves the quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Also Read: 6 Surprising Benefits of Plant-Based Diet High In Fiber!
Bacterial imbalance in the gut is one of the causes of inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Fiber can improve the bacterial balance in the gut.Studies show that fiber plays a significant role in the growth and diversity of good gut bacteria.
Good gut bacteria ferment the soluble fiber and produce useful compounds such as short-chain fatty acids. Butyrate is a common short-chain fatty acid made by bacterial fermentation in the gut.Studies show that butyrate improves the protective intestinal lining and prevents inflammation.
However, you must consult your healthcare provider before adding fiber to your diet for ulcerative colitis.
If you have ulcerative colitis, you may have experienced that symptoms get worse after consuming certain foods. Those are called ‘trigger foods’ which can irritate the inflammation and increase discomfort.
Trigger foods can vary from person to person. If you're unsure about trigger foods for you, keeping a food and symptoms diary can help you identify them.
Here are some foods to avoid that can potentially trigger flare-ups in ulcerative colitis:
Bulk-forming foods are high in insoluble fiber. They add volume to the stool, which can put pressure on the already compromised digestive tract. Bulk-forming foods may irritate the inflamed intestinal lining, triggering flare-ups in some individuals.
Some examples of bulk-forming foods are:
Studies show thatprocessed sugar damages the protective intestinal barrier and can lead to inflammation. High sugar intake alsodisturbs the balance between healthy and pathogenic bacteria in the gut, increasing the risk of inflammation.
Studies reveal that artificial sweeteners disrupt the gut microbiota and increase the risk of inflammation.
Also Read: The Shocking Truth about Processed Sugar!
Some foods that are rich in processed sugar and artificial sweeteners include:
Fried foods are high in trans fats.Research shows that trans fat can cause intestinal inflammation.Studies also show that fat-rich foods worsen the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases and increase the frequency of flare-ups.
Some other foods that can trigger flare-ups in ulcerative colitisinclude:
Powdered superfoods are a great source of nutrition and have plenty of health benefits.Research shows that superfood extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
Patients with ulcerative colitis are also at higher risk of nutrient deficiency. Superfood extracts are high invitamins and minerals that can help against nutrient deficiency.
Also Read: 17 Practical Ideas to Get More Vitamins and Minerals through Diet!
Organic Green Powder Superfood is an excellent example of a superfood extract. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It reduces the risk of chronic diseases, improves digestion, and relievesbloating.
However, you must consult your healthcare provider before using powdered superfoods for ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the patient. It has the potential to cause serious complications, but those cases are rare. Disease management is necessary to reduce the risk of complications.
Studies don’t show any link between ulcerative colitis and life expectancy. However, the disease does affect the quality of life. You need to be careful about your treatment, diet, and lifestyle to live a normal life.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum. Its common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in stool during bowel movements.
Since there is no known cause, ulcerative colitis has no cure. Disease management is possible through medications and dietary changes. Certain foods make the symptoms worse, while others can provide relief. Consulting a dietitian for a personalizedmeal plan can significantly improve disease management.
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