Learning Objectives

After completing this continuing education activity you will be able to:

1. Explain the role of gut microbes in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
2. Identify dietary factors associated with increased risk of developing IBD.
3. Discuss the evidence supporting dietary interventions for the treatment of IBD.
4. Explain that the primary objectives of nutrition therapy in IBD are to prevent and treat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
5. Discuss dietary strategies that may be helpful for reducing IBD symptoms and helping maintain remission.
6. Identify commonly recommended dietary strategies for IBD that have little or no scientific support.
7. Summarize the results of controlled clinical trials demonstrating benefits of a commercial probiotic supplement for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
8. Discuss limitations that suggest these results should be interpreted with caution.
9. State safety concerns related to probiotic use in IBD and identify risk factors for probiotic bacteremia.
10. Explain that the striking benefits seen in efficacy studies of probiotics for pouchitis have not been replicated in studies conducted under normal practice conditions.
11. Identify and address factors, including adherence, that may be responsible for reduced effectiveness.