A combined Mediterranean, low-FODMAP diet along with partial enteral nutrition has shown promise in reducing ulcerative colitis activity and improving patients' quality of life.
In the study, fifty patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis were randomly allotted one of two diets: a combined Mediterranean, low-FODMAP diet supplemented with partial enteral nutrition, or a standard diet. These diets were implemented for a duration of 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention, various indicators of the patients' conditions were measured. These variables included a disease activity index, the patients' quality of life, and concentrations of various inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in the blood. All of these were measured using tested and trustworthy questionnaires, in conjunction with blood sampling.
The combined diet was found to result in significantly decreased disease activity index values, compared to both the control diet and the baseline data. Simultaneously, patients on the combined diet reported greater enhancements in their quality of life, compared to both the control group and the initial data. Lastly, the serum level of a protein called "high sensitive C-reactive protein," known to be a general marker of inflammation within the body, was found to be reduced in the combined diet group. However, changes in the serum total antioxidant capacity were found to be statistically insignificant across both groups.
