Lifestyle in the management of inflammatory bowel disease-part 1: nutrition

Background: Patients suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a heterogenous patient group with varying symptoms and complications. Concerning disease activity, one has to differentiate between acute flare-ups and remission phases. Aim: The present publication describes the practice of nutritional therapy in IBD patients, focusing on aspects that have to be considered during this treatment. In addition, the potential positive impact of exercise and physical activity on the course of disease in IBD patients is addressed in part 2 of this article. Materials and methods: In this publication, we describe how the nutritional status of IBD patients is evaluated at the beginning of the nutritional therapy and how we then proceed with nutritional therapy, based on this evaluation and adapted to the actual disease progress. The recommendations given in the latest guidelines are presented, considering IBD-associated symptoms and complications. Results and conclusion: We recommend anti-inflammatory nutrition, based on a Mediterranean diet, for IBD patients. Specific nutritional concepts for the respective disease phases have to be adapted to the individual nutritional status of the patient. Diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies, concomitant symptoms, or food intolerances should be checked before starting nutritional therapy. The individual treatment has to consider these results and select appropriate dietetic recommendations for each patient.