The University of North Carolina recently published the results of a study based on a longitudinal internet survey conducted by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Almost 1700 people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) participated in the study including many people with Celiac disease, others who were gluten-sensitive, and even more who had tried a gluten free diet. In the study, 66% of participants who were on a gluten free diet had improved gastro-intestinal symptoms, and 38% reported improvement of IBD flares. This study shows that potential role that diet, especially a gluten free diet, may have in IBD management.

However this study was only based on a longitudinal internet survey, and not as rigorous as clinical trials. We must also keep this in mind in light of a recent study that suggested a gluten free diet placebo effect, though these studies were hardly robust and had their problems as well.

While this post is not necessarily focused on the microbiome, there have been clear associations between Celiacs, IBD, nutrition, and the microbiome.