Fatty Acids In Diet Affect Ulcerative Colitis Risk

Dr. Andrew Hart of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, and his colleagues also found that eating more eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and fish oils, was associated with a lower risk of the disease. While people need a certain amount of linoleic acid to survive, Hart noted in an interview with Reuters Health, excess amounts are taken up into the lining of the colon, and if they're released, they can promote inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acid, he added, does the opposite. "It basically dampens down inflammation," he explained. To investigate the role of fatty acids and ulcerative colitis, a life-long disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of the large intestine, Hart and his colleagues looked at data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) trial, which includes over half a million people from 10 European countries. Their analysis included 203,193 men and women 30 to 74 years old. During follow-up, which ranged from about 2 to 11 years, 126 people developed ulcerative colitis. People in the top quartile of linoleic acid intake (they were consuming around 13 to 38 grams a day) were 2.5 times more likely to have developed the disease than people who consumed the least, about 2 to 8 grams daily. There's currently no proven dietary treatment for ulcerative colitis, Hart noted, but the current findings raise the possibility that eating a diet low in linoleic acid could be helpful. While a Western-style, red-meat-heavy diet is high in this fatty acid and low in omega-3s, Hart noted, a more Mediterranean style eating pattern -- with plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nut oils -- would be low in linoleic acid and high in omega-3. go now ok http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/12/02/us-ulcerative-colitis-idUSTRE5B15S720091202





The Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis and the Importance of Diet





Steroids work in a similar way to aminosalicyates by attempting to reduce the inflammation, the difference being that they are considerably stronger. These can be administered orally or directly into the rectum with the use of an enema or suppository. The long-term use of steroids is not advisable with the onset of a number of potential harmful side effects. These may include high blood pressure, weight gain, and thinning of the skin. If prescribed steroids, close monitoring of the patients health will occur with the aim of stopping the use of these drugs when symptoms improve. Ulcerative Colitis and Surgery If the symptoms of ulcerative colitis have not responded to treatment thus far, other forms of medication may be prescribed. The main one is immunosuppressants. These work by reducing the immune system within the body with the hope that this will stop the inflammation. The difficulty with immunosuppressants is that they will effect the entire body and not just the colon resulting in a higher chance of infection. The treatment of severe ulcerative colitis is undertaken in the hospital due to the increased risks of dehydration and malnutrition. Surgery will involve the complete removal of the colon with the small intestine being re-routed to enable fluids to leave the body, An internal pouch is then inserted and is emptied in a similar way as when the defecation occurs. Diet and Ulcerative Colitis Many sufferers cite particular foods that can worsen their symptoms and they learn to avoid these foods. special info http://suite101.com/a/the-treatments-for-ulcerative-colitis-and-the-importance-of-diet-a259758