“Crystal Ball” Nutrients Predict IBD Severity
Yesterday, I told you how critical micronutrients are for protecting cognitive function and reducing your risk of dementia.
Using nutrients to support brain, heart, and even metabolic health is common.
But a recent study highlighted a set of “crystal ball” nutrients that can actually PREDICT disease severity in a condition most folks wouldn’t ever think of using supplements to manage.
And that’s inflammatory bowel disease or IBD.
IBD (not to be confused with IBS) occurs when chronic inflammation in the digestive tract triggers disturbing symptoms, including abdominal pain, urgency, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and fecal incontinence.
People with conditions that fall under the IBD umbrella, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, have a reduced ability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.
So, naturally, they’re at a much greater risk of developing nutrient deficiencies.
Even worse, scientists now say these deficiencies can then worsen their IBD.
The most common markers doctors look for to diagnose IBD and its severity are C-reactive protein levels (CRP, a measure of inflammation), serum albumin concentration, and fecal calprotectin (FCP).
But recently collected clinical data on IBD patients revealed something else we should be looking for. Researchers found that low levels of particular nutrients can predict more severe IBD.
The TOP four of these “crystal ball” nutrients are:
- vitamin C
- ferritin
- folate
- zinc
There was a strong link between CRP levels and a patient’s zinc, copper, selenium, and vitamins C, A, and B1 levels. Plus, they found CRP is associated with the vitamin K1-to-triglyceride ratio and the vitamin E-to-cholesterol ratio.
Their serum albumin concentration was significantly associated with zinc, ferritin, selenium, copper, and vitamins B1 and B2 levels… as well as their vitamin E-to-cholesterol ratio.
And finally, FCP was linked to plasma levels of zinc, ferritin, copper, selenium, and vitamins A and B1. Plus, vitamin E-to-cholesterol ratio.
That’s a long list of nutrients. But the two that stood out the MOST were zinc and selenium.
In patients with Crohn’s disease, those with a zinc deficiency were much more likely to require surgery or treatment with steroids.
In patients with ulcerative colitis, those with a selenium deficiency were far more likely to have a painful flare-up.
These findings suggest supplementing with zinc (for Crohn’s disease) and selenium (for ulcerative colitis) could REDUCE IBD severity.
If you’re battling IBD, ask your gastroenterologist or primary care doctor about adding the appropriate one to your regular routine.
P.S. Try this one surprising trick to IMPROVE your digestion!
SOURCE:
Emily Brownson, et al., “Micronutrient Status and Prediction of Disease Outcome in Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Receiving Biologic Therapy,” Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2023, izad174
