A Heart Healthy Diet Linked to IBD

We often hear how we should be avoiding "bad" fats in our diets, but that the "good" fats are necessary for better health. Certain fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, are needed by our bodies, and are being studied as a treatment for many different conditions, including IBD. A new research study published online by the journal Gut now indicates that a certain kind of fatty acid -- linoleic acid -- may be linked to the development of ulcerative colitis.

Western diets often contain higher than typical amounts of linoleic acid because it is often found in "heart healthy" foods such as margarine. When linoleic acid is processed by the body, it becomes arachidonic acid. When arachidonic acid is further broken down by the body, it becomes one of several pro-inflammatory substances. These substances tend to be found in the colons of people who have ulcerative colitis. The authors of the study estimate that as many as 30% of ulcerative colitis cases might be related to linoleic.

Researchers stress that it's too soon to start making diet recommendations based on this research alone. The next step would be to investigate how a diet low in linoleic acid may affect people who have ulcerative colitis or who are at risk of ulcerative colitis.