Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease of the colon that affects men and women in approximately equal numbers. In recurring episodes, it leads to more frequent bowel movements and diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody or slimy. This can lead to malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies, which must be counteracted with the right diet.
As in our article on proper nutrition in liver cirrhosis, our article can under no circumstances replace advice from a specialist. Especially in ulcerative colitis, it is often possible to determine what the patient is particularly sensitive to by temporarily avoiding certain foods. At the same time, however, a sufficient supply of nutrients must be ensured. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with the disease, consult your nutritionist or doctor for advice. We can only provide a rough overview here.
Filtering out so-called “trigger foods”
A decisive factor in ulcerative colitis are the so-called trigger foods. These are foods that can trigger or exacerbate a flare-up. Identifying and eliminating these is the first step to the right diet plan. Your dietitian will go over certain food groups with you that will be avoided for a certain period of time. One of these categories could be dairy products. In the meantime, keep a food diary of what you have eaten and how you reacted to it. In this way, the foods to which your body reacts are filtered out piece by piece. This is different for each person and must therefore be found out individually.
General advice on diet for ulcerative colitis
Basically, a sufficient water supply must be ensured. Due to the many cases of diarrhoea, those affected lose a lot of fluid, which they must compensate for with unsweetened teas, still water and vegetable juices.
Too spicy, too hot and too cold food is also all difficult for the digestive tract. Try to chew your mild food well and help your gastrointestinal tract to process and use food more easily.
Unfortunately, the intestine does not like very fatty, deep-fried, breaded or smoked food either. Try to prepare the food gently by steaming, boiling in salted water or lightly frying.
Last but not least, it is recommended to eat several small meals (up to 6) instead of 3 large ones. This also provides relief for the intestines. And that is what the right diet for ulcerative colitis is all about – relieving the bowel as much as possible to prolong the time between the inevitable flares and allow the flares themselves to subside more quickly.
The two phases of ulcerative colitis – acute phase and remission
Colitis ulcerosa basically runs in two phases. In the acute phase (also called flare), the person affected has to deal with severe diarrhoea, which makes it impossible to digest food properly. At the same time, food that has a flatulent effect or causes further diarrhoea should be avoided. Therefore, coffee and black tea should be avoided. In addition, mild and ripe foods that are prepared gently are in demand. You should remove grains, seeds and shells before eating them. Therefore, whole-grain products should also be avoided as far as possible. Since sugar intolerance can also occur during the acute phase, added sugar and very sweet fruit should be avoided.
In the resting phase or remission, the body has time to recharge. Here, in contrast to the acute phase, food rich in fibre should be eaten, which supplies the body with vitamins and nutrients. Finely ground whole grain foods can help here. Anti-inflammatory foods such as blueberries, broccoli or fresh coffee can also prolong the remission phase. Probiotic foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut or tempeh (a Japanese product made from fermented soybeans) can help restore the intestinal flora.
Concluding words
Ulcerative colitis can occur in all age groups. However, it often starts at the age of 15-30. Those affected are often very uncomfortable talking about the topic, which, in addition to the physical manifestations, usually leads to further impairment, namely isolation. Education and a natural, self-confident approach to the disease can help here.
As with so many autoimmune diseases, there is unfortunately no panacea that will simply make the condition go away. However, medication can help to improve the symptoms. If you also support your body with the right diet, little stress and enough sleep, you can do your part to live well with the disease.
Last but not least, we would like to point out that a cell rejuvenation therapy with the active ingredient PPC, which we often mention, can also provide relief. Phosphatidylcholine is a so-called surfactant, a protective layer, so to speak, that is permanently newly formed by the intestinal mucosa. The cells of the irritated intestinal mucosa are renewed and thus strengthened by a combination of the intake of PPC in capsule form and intake via infusion or injection. In a forthcoming article we will look in detail at how exactly the cell rejuvenation therapy CRT works in colitis ulcerosa.