Clinical Nutrition and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe intestinal disorders that cause prolonged inflammation (pain and swelling) of the digestive tract. IBD can be divided into two types which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Signs and symptoms of IBD include reduced appetite, unintended weight loss, mucus or blood in stool, and upset stomach. IBD can be prevented by certain dietary and lifestyle changes. A patient suffering from IBD is recommended to reduce the intake of foods that irritate the intestines such as fibrous, spicy, greasy, or milk-based products. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in IBD patients. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) that includes amino acids, sugars, fats, vitamins and minerals is the only established diet for IBD patients. This book investigates the effect of nutrition and diet on inflammatory bowel disease. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of gastroenterology, it targets medical students and professionals.