Nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The properly nourished body is central to establishing and maintaining a state of 'wellness'. Nutrients are required in varying amounts to fuel the complex interplay of physiological responses responsible for growth, development, maintenance, immunity, and repair. When quantity or quality of food is lacking, or when ingested food is not properly processed, the consequences may include malnutrition, stunted growth, impaired immune response, or gastrointestinal symptoms. With the intestinal mucosa serving as the first point of contact with ingested food, the intestinal response to a meal includes an immune reaction to food antigens. The outcome of such an immune response may determine whether a heightened state of immune response is present for a short or long duration of time. © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.