Below are 3 articles on inflammatory bowel disease. Read even one of the=20
articles, and you will know more about the subject than all the raw food=20
gurus combined. :-)

#1
Clinical Nutrition
Article in Press
doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2006.10.001=20

REVIEW ARTICLE
Bioecological control of inflammatory bowel disease
Stig Bengmark

Summary

It is today generally accepted, that the intestinal bacterial flora is=20
deeply involved in the pathogenesis of human previous terminflammatory=20
bowel diseasesnext term (IBDs), although the exact presence of unwanted or =

lack of specific crucial bacteria are not yet known. Westerners lack to=20
large extent important immunomodulatory and fibre-fermenting lactic acid=20
bacteria (LAB), bacteria which are present in all with a more primitive=20
rural lifestyle. Acute reduction of flora is observed in previous=20
termdisease,next term including IBD, as well as in mental and physical=20
stress. Some observations suggest the mucosa has lost its ability of=20
holding back the pathogenic flora and prevent close contacts between=20
resident microflora and the epithelial surface. Among the manifestations=20
of IBD are increased inflammation and coagulability, impaired cellular=20
membrane function, exaggerated nitric oxide production and impaired=20
short-chain fatty acid production. Animal studies suggest, in addition to=20
reduced flora,=20
an intimate association with immunostimulatory DNA, malfunctioning trifoil =

factors, increased splanchnic metabolism and reduced availability of=20
natural antioxidants. Treatment with plant fibres, antioxidants and=20
sometimes probiotics have had limited success. The most dramatic effects=20
are seen in the few cases where total faecal replacement (TFR) has been=20
tried. The general experience this far is that the best effects are=20
obtained with compositions of probiotics rather than with single LAB=20
treatments.=20

#2
International Journal of Food Microbiology
Article in Press

Review article
Inflammatory bowel disease:next term Current insights into pathogenesis=20
and new therapeutic options; probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics
Mark S. Geiera

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseasenext term (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disorder=20
involving a dysregulated host?microbiota interaction. IBD patients have=20
been shown to possess an increased risk for the development of colorectal=20
cancer. Recently, focus has been placed on probiotic and prebiotic=20
therapies, which aim to restore balance to the gastrointestinal=20
microbiota, and reduce intestinal inflammation. Probiotics have been=20
assessed extensively in animal models, with a number of clinical trials=20
also demonstrating potential therapeutic benefits. However, it is widely=20
accepted that more double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trials are=20
required. Future research also needs to focus on determining which=20
probiotics are the most efficacious in the IBD setting, and how the=20
genetic and bacterial profiles of the patient will influence treatment=20
responsiveness. Prebiotics have been studied less extensively, however,=20
they may become an ideal treatment or co-treatment option due to their=20
capacity to increase endogenous lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.=20
Probiotics and prebiotics may offer a new therapeutic option for the=20
treatment of IBD, however, a greater understanding of the mechanisms=20
behind their action on the gastrointestinal microbiota is required in=20
order to determine which probiotic, prebiotic or combinations thereof are=20
the most beneficial.=20

#3
Science
5 January 2007
Vol 315, Issue 5808, Pages 33-35

Puzzling Out the Pains in the Gut
Jean Marx

Newly identified mutations and immune cells are clearing up the mysteries=20
of inflammatory bowel diseases and suggesting novel drug targets.

Tom Billings