VIDEO: ‘Diet re-emerging’ as valuable tool for managing symptoms of GI disorders
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In a Healio video exclusive, Edward V. Loftus Jr., MD, highlighted the growing recognition that diet, specifically tailored nutrition interventions, can play a crucial role in the management of several gastrointestinal disorders.
“We all know, especially in [inflammatory bowel disease], the re-emerging of diet as an important factor in terms of how to manage patients, and I think that recognition has played out in other parts of GI as well,” Loftus, the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Professor of Gastroenterology at the Mayo Clinic told Healio. “This month’s issue is interesting because it features four different articles from four different registered dietitians who are experts on GI issues.”
Dietitians have only just begun to explore their critical role in decoding the value of diet and nutrition for patients with GI disorders. Achieving and maintaining good nutrition is a crucial aspect of managing the worst symptoms of many GI disorders, from celiac disease to Crohn’s disease, short bowel syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
In the July issue of Healio Gastroenterology, four GI-expert registered dietitians discussed dietary management of common GI disorders including celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, gastroesophageal reflux disease, IBD and IBS and how nutrition ultimately affects patients’ symptoms and quality of life. The experts also illustrated practical approaches for gastroenterologists to help better navigate these conversations with patients, as well as the potential benefits of a GI dietitian on a patient’s care team.
“These [insights] are written by expert dietitians; I encourage you to read them and think about how to integrate a dietitian into your own practice,” Loftus said.
Perspective
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Kendra Weekley, MS, RD, LD
Dietitians are nutrition experts who have dedicated their professional lives to studying, researching and teaching all topics related to nutrition. For conditions that revolve around food and nutrition, dietitians are experts who can teach patients about medical nutrition therapy that is tailored to the patient’s disease and symptoms.
Many studies show that diet plays a role in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Nutrition professionals can help mitigate symptoms and inflammation by informing patients on certain foods and diets, meal patterns and supplements specific to their current symptoms and disease state. Dietitians are also trained to communicate clearly with diverse populations and ensure patients understand their nutrition plan as part of their treatment.
Nutrition is an integral part of the multidisciplinary approach to patient care: Dietitians identify and treat malnutrition. They also help patients with weight management. They can address symptoms such as gas and bloating and provide tips for digestive health so patients can get more consistent bowel movements — whether patients are constipated or having diarrhea.
Dietitians can help reduce nausea in patients with gastroparesis, decrease ostomy output and increase hydration status, and correct nutritional deficiencies in malabsorptive disease like short bowel and celiac disease. Diet currently is the only medical therapy for CD, and newly diagnosed patients can meet with a dietitian to learn about a gluten-free diet.
Dietitians also can help reduce the risk for bowel obstructions with a low roughage diet; help decrease hospital length of stays after bowel surgery by optimizing nutrition prior to bowel surgery; and incorporate diverse anti-inflammatory foods, which can help prevent the reoccurrence of inflammation.
I hope that medical teams continue to integrate dietitians in their practice for the benefit of patient care. Dietitians can offer education and interventions to many populations and play a vital role in interdisciplinary care.
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