Carrageenan intake can lead to an earlier relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis who are in remission.
In the methods employed, a clinical trial was carried out to determine if ulcerative colitis patients could avoid or defer relapse by following a diet devoid of carrageenan. Participants were educated about the no-carrageenan diet, and then divided into two groups - one receiving capsules containing carrageenan and the other receiving placebo capsules. The amount of carrageenan in the capsules was less than the average daily dietary intake. Relapses were defined by a rise of two or more points on the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index and the need for enhanced ulcerative colitis treatment. Over the course of a year, participants were monitored every two weeks via phone calls.
In the research results, it was found that out of twelve patients, those who ingested carrageenan capsules had a higher relapse rate. Notably, none of those who took the placebo experienced a relapse. The group exposed to carrageenan exhibited increased levels of inflammation indicators - the Interleukin-6 and the fecal calprotectin biomarkers - by the end of their participation in the study. There was no such increase observed in the placebo group.
