Find out “Does eating high diet quality in early life reduce risk of IBD as you age?” The answer is YES. According to recent studies, a high-quality diet in early life, particularly at the age of 1, may reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as you age. A high intake of fish and vegetables at 1 year of age was associated with less risk of IBD compared to lower intake. Consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at this age was associated with an increased risk of IBD. The study monitored the health of children for an average of 21 years from the age of 1, and those who had medium and high-quality diets at the age of 1 had an overall 25% lower risk of IBD after adjusting for potentially confounding factors [1, 2].
What is considered a high-quality diet?
A high-quality diet is generally considered to be one that includes unrefined, minimally processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and healthy sources of protein. These foods are recommended in the Healthy Eating Plate.
On the other hand, lower-quality foods include highly processed snack foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, refined sugar, fried foods, foods high in saturated and trans fats, and high-glycemic foods such as potatoes.
A quality diet varies depending on individual characteristics such as age, gender, lifestyle, and degree of physical activity, cultural context, locally available foods, and dietary customs. A recent study found that a high intake of fish and vegetables at the age of 1 was associated with less risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to lower intake, while consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at this age was associated with an increased risk of IBD[3]. Here’s what the research suggests:
Positive associations:
- High intake of vegetables, fruit, and fish: Studies have shown that children who consume a diet rich in these foods at 1 year old have a 25% lower risk of developing IBD compared to those with a diet lower in these nutrients.
- High fish intake: Specifically, high fish intake at 1 year old appears to be particularly protective against ulcerative colitis, a type of IBD, with some studies showing a 54% lower risk compared to low fish intake.
- Avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks: Conversely, consuming sugar-sweetened drinks at 1 year old has been linked to a 42% increased risk of IBD.
While the findings are promising, it’s important to note that these studies are observational and cannot prove cause and effect. Other factors, such as genetics or environmental exposures, could also play a role in IBD development.
More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which early-life diet may influence IBD risk. The generalizability of the findings may be limited, as most studies have been conducted in high-income countries with specific dietary patterns.
Symptoms of IBD
The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can vary but commonly include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea, sometimes with blood
- Urgency to have a bowel movement and fecal incontinence
- Rectal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Malnutrition and delayed growth in people who develop IBD as children
- Anxiety and depression
IBD symptoms may come and go, with individuals experiencing flare-ups followed by periods with no symptoms. Persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue are common indicators of IBD.
Types of IBD
The two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Here are the key characteristics of each:
Ulcerative colitis: This condition involves inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Crohn’s disease: This type of IBD is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. It most commonly affects the small intestine, but it can also affect the large intestine and other parts of the digestive tract.
These conditions can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
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