Dietary Factors in the Modulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity

Shinil Shah, DO, PGY-1

Disclosures

March 27, 2007

Wheatgrass Juice

Wheatgrass juice has been investigated as a possible therapy for ulcerative colitis. The components of wheatgrass juice include chlorophyll; vitamins A, C, and E; and various amino acids. It has been demonstrated that wheatgrass juice is anti-mutagenic. One constituent of wheatgrass is apigenin, which is believed to possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some believe that this constituent may be beneficial in ulcerative colitis.[42,44] It is a bioflavonoid that has been shown to inhibit TNF-induced transactivation.[43]

A randomized controlled trial of wheatgrass juice in the management of ulcerative colitis has demonstrated some efficacy. While sigmoidoscopic evaluation failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the treatment and control group, it was demonstrated that there was a significant difference in other symptomatic indicators of disease activity, such as rectal bleeding. Although there was not a statistically significant difference in relation to sigmoidoscopic evaluation, 78% of the treatment group improved compared to 30% of the control group.[44]

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