The pathology of IBD links both UC and CD with the degradation of the mucus lining the epithelium of the gut (specifically the large bowel). What I have found interesting is theories suggesting the link between diet and IBD that focuses on the role of carbohydrates. Simple sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream, whereas the more complex sugars require further digestion via intestinal enzymes. When these sugars are not fully digested, the undigested remnants can ferment through bacterial action, serving as an energy source for bacterial replication. Enzymes are soon destroyed, and the mucus-producing cells of the small intestine, the goblet cells, begin to secrete mucus to protect the intestinal wall against microbial toxins and undigested carbohydrates. This mucus-coating prevents sugars and starches needing digestion from reaching the enzyme cells, and fermentation and damage escalate as the cycle continues.
I then linked this information to what we know about the appendix. From prior reading, we now know that the appendix is dependent on the mucus that lines the epithelium of the bowel. We also know that diet may well account for the incidence of appendicitis. So, is it possible that the sugary diet of modern society is damaging the role of the appendix to regulate immune system function, and that this, coupled with the damage to the GI tract by bacteria feeding on these sugars, could be one way of inducing IBD?
Talks about a book on carbohydrates and intestinal health: http://www.sheilashea.com/ibd.html
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6 comments:
Interesting point, carbohydrates as we know are necessary for the biofilm produced by the appendix so it seems to be a case of finding a happy medium. Too much of a good thing seems to always produce a negative effect.
I am finding it fascinating that so many inflammatory diseases are effected by the foods that we eat. We've already discussed 2 (diabetes and IBD), and actually, diabetes itself is a major risk factor for stroke (and coronary artery disease).
Do you think that inflammation as a whole, can be considered a dietary issue?
I would venture to say yes, diet is a risk factor (or protective factor) for inflammation. Certainly there is evidence that there are 'pro-inflammatory' diets. Some people even think that because wheat is a man made grain and not a grain that we evolved eating that it is the root of much of what ails us.
On the flip side there is a lot of evidence that says that anti-inflammatory foods (eg: fish and flax seed)can protect against a variety of diseases
I don't know...with the shipment of foods all around the world, it may be just as much environmental. What pesticides/chemicals has the food been treated with and are we reacting to that? (Even though the US has standards of inported goods).
mds7630...interesting point about wheat not being a grain we evolved consuming. I wonder...with the rise in recognition of celiac disease, could this be related somehow? Only a musing. TLH
This food idea as pro inflammatory is interesting. Both Crohn's and Type I DM have been given as evidence for the Hygiene Hypothesis (Which basically says that the absence of some stimulation of our immune system, can lead to the Type II immunopathology that results), and we know that foodborne infections are much rarer today than even 25 years ago. My guess - although similarly symptomatic - the etiology is very multifactorial; that people get the disease in a number of ways - through viral infections, hyper clean environments, low level chemical exposures, and genetic predispositions.
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