— The ties between underlying inflammation, microbial imbalances, and olive oil
by Raz Abdulqadir, MSc
April 30, 2025
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex, multifactorial condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The global prevalence of IBD is rising rapidly, making it a lifelong condition requiring ongoing management. Although the exact cause is unknown, research suggests that genetic predisposition, environmental factors, gut barrier dysfunction (leaky gut), and microbiome imbalances contribute to its development.
In a prospective Gastroenterology study, Godny, et al. assessed newly diagnosed CD patients following MED. They used questionnaires (FFQ), the IBDMED score, and validated MED adherence screeners. Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin, and microbial composition (16S rRNA sequencing) were measured at each visit. Baseline serum and fecal samples were analyzed with targeted quantitative metabolomics.
The study evaluated 271 patients (ages 22-38) with ileal or ileocolonic disease, with assessments every 6 months over a median period of 2 years. Among the patients, 68% received anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, 52% were treated with steroids, 40% with immunomodulators, and 32% with 5-ASA.
These results suggest that MED may help address underlying inflammation and microbial imbalances in addition to alleviating symptoms. The researchers emphasized the need for randomized controlled studies to confirm these findings, and explore MED as a therapeutic approach for managing CD.
Raz Abdulqadir, MSc, is a PhD candidate at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
You can read a Q&A with a study author here and the abstract of the study here.