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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Environmental Risk Factors: Diet and Gut Microbiota

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (M Regueiro, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Gastroenterology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

This review specifically explores the affect that diet has on the gut microbiota and its role on the increasing incidence of IBD around the world in developing countries.

Recent findings

The emergence of IBD is consistently observed as a society becomes developed and westernized implicating the critical role that environmental factors play. Environmental factors that could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of IBD include westernization of diet and improved hygiene status.

Summary

Westernization of diet is associated with changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota, which could affect the development of the immune system and thus influence the risk of disease occurrence. There remains an important need for extensive and rigorous studies focused on the role of environmental exposures on IBD management. Specifically, if environmental factors can be modified to decrease the possibility of relapse or improve patient quality of life.

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Data Availability

Data described in the manuscript is publicly and freely available without restriction at http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FBS

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St, Evans 124, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Sarah Altajar

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Boston Medical Center, 85 East Concord Street, Suite 7700A, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Alan Moss

Authors
  1. Sarah Altajar
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  2. Alan Moss
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Contributions

All authors were involved in study concept and design. S.A. wrote the manuscript with input and revisions from A.M.

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Correspondence to Sarah Altajar.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Altajar, S., Moss, A. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Environmental Risk Factors: Diet and Gut Microbiota. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 22, 57 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-020-00794-y

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