RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Assessing Interventions of Diet in IBD

This study aims to understand how certain eating plans impact people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. We are particularly interested in three diets: intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, and the Low FODMAP diet. The main goals are to discover how these diets affect IBD symptoms and overall quality of life. We also want to find out what makes it easy or difficult for people to follow these diets in their daily lives. By gathering this information, researchers hope to develop better ways to support people with IBD through their diet, helping them manage their condition and feel better.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McMaster University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Apr 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2027

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)Ulcerative Colitis (UC)Crohn Disease (CD)

What is this study about?

If you live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, you know how much your condition can affect your daily life. This study, called 'Assessing Interventions of Diet in IBD', is looking into how different ways of eating might help manage your symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Researchers want to understand if specific diets can make a real difference for people with IBD.

Specifically, the study is focusing on three different eating plans: Intermittent Fasting, the Mediterranean Diet, and the Low FODMAP Diet. Intermittent fasting involves regular, short periods where you don't eat. The Mediterranean diet is rich in plant-based foods, healthy fats, and fish. The Low FODMAP diet involves avoiding certain carbohydrates that can cause digestive upset. The aim is to see how well people can stick to these diets and which ones are most helpful for controlling IBD symptoms.

By taking part, you would help researchers learn valuable information about nutrition and IBD. The goal is to figure out which dietary approaches are not only effective but also practical and sustainable for people to follow. This knowledge could lead to better advice and support for everyone living with IBD, helping them to lead a better quality of life.

Key takeaways

This study is exploring how diet affects IBD symptoms and quality of life.
It focuses on intermittent fasting, Mediterranean, and Low FODMAP diets.
A main goal is to find effective and easy-to-follow dietary strategies for IBD.
Participation involves using a smartphone app and making dietary changes.
You must have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and be over 18.
Certain health conditions would prevent you from joining.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) with a confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. You should be happy to use your own smartphone to access a study app and be able to understand the advice given by a trained dietitian. It's also important that you are willing to try one of the diets being studied and commit to all the study appointments and tasks.

There are certain situations that would prevent you from taking part. For example, if you are pregnant, you won't be able to join. You also can't participate if you're currently being treated for certain mental health conditions like eating disorders, schizophrenia, or acute psychosis. Patients receiving chemotherapy, or those with diabetes, advanced kidney disease, or short bowel syndrome are also not able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease?
Are you comfortable using a smartphone app?
Are you willing to try a new diet and go to study appointments?
Are you currently pregnant? (If yes, you cannot join).
Do you have diabetes? (If yes, you cannot join).

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would be asked to try one of the specific diets: intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, or the Low FODMAP diet. You would need to use a smartphone app for various parts of the study. There will be regular check-ins and assessments to see how you are doing, how the diet is affecting your symptoms, and how easy or difficult you find it to stick to the eating plan. The study will likely involve appointments with a dietitian. The total duration of your participation would be explained to you in detail.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a study like this could offer potential benefits, such as gaining a better understanding of how diet affects your IBD and potentially improving your symptoms and quality of life through one of the dietary approaches. However, there might also be some risks, including the challenge of sticking to a new diet, possible changes to your symptoms (though these will be monitored), and the time commitment required for appointments and app usage. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (3)

2F Digestive Diseases Clinic - Hamilton Health Science
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Recruiting
McMaster University
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Not yet recruiting
McMaster University
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is IBD?

IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It's a long-term condition where parts of your gut become inflamed, causing symptoms like tummy pain, diarrhoea, and tiredness. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main types of IBD.

What is a Low FODMAP diet?

The Low FODMAP diet involves cutting down on certain types of carbohydrates that can be difficult for some people to digest and can cause gut symptoms like bloating and pain. It's often used to help manage symptoms in conditions like IBS.

Is 'Intermittent Fasting' safe for everyone?

Intermittent fasting involves eating only during specific windows of time. While it's being studied for various health benefits, it's not suitable or safe for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions like diabetes, or pregnant women. This is why the study has specific eligibility rules.

Will I have to pay to take part?

No, you should not have to pay to take part in a clinical study. All study-related treatments and assessments are usually provided free of charge.

What if the diet makes my symptoms worse?

Your health will be closely monitored throughout the study. If you experience worsening symptoms or any concerns, you should inform the study team immediately. You also have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

How to find out more

Camila Pettinari, Bacherol

pettinaricamila@gmail.com 4168271741 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.