Inflammatory bowel disease - IBD - encompasses both crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are marked by the presence of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The location and depth of inflammation is what mainly differentiates the two.
Because of the damage to the intestines caused by IBD, sufferers often have nutritional deficiencies. It is through our small intestine that we absorb the nutrients in food. This includes macronutrients like fats, protein, and carbohydrates, as well as micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. When the intestine is inflamed, it does not absorb nutrients well.
Added to this is the problem of lack of appetite that accompanies symptoms of nausea, cramping, or diarrhea. Even when people are hungry, in the active stages of IBD, food eaten may just pass through them, without being digested or absorbed.
Ironically, inflammation in the body increases its’ nutritional requirements, at a time when IBD sufferers face problems in this area.
Fat absorption is often a problem in people with IBD. A characteristic of poor fat absorption is smelly, oily stools. Given that several of our vitamins are fat soluble, this can lead to a deficiency in these. The fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, and K. The recommended daily allowance of vitamins for children can be found here.
Given this state of affairs, it is not surprising that a study led by a researcher from the Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, found that children with IBD are often deficient in vitamin D.
Vitamin D is important in forming bones and keeping them strong. It does this by maintaining normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, and is involved in bone mineralization. Vitamin D keeps bones from becoming brittle, thin, or misshapen. A deficiency can cause rickets in children, and osteomalacia in adults. Bone pain and muscular weakness can be symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency. Healthy teeth can also be a problem for those with a vitamin D deficiency.
The researchers found that 34.6% of children with IBD were deficient in vitamin D. The study looked at both crohns and ulcerative colitis sufferers, and found the percentages were similar for both. When IBD sufferers had darker skin, the number of those deficient increased to 53%. People with darker skin, or more skin pigmentation, don’t convert sunlight into vitamin D as well as those with lighter skin. This is true whether people suffer from IBD or not.
The researchers were quick to point out that a vitamin D deficiency did not cause IBD, it was merely a possible consequence of suffering it.
References: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=72394-vitamin-d-ibd-supplements
