The third case report in the section dedicated to nutritional management in IBD (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) is now available on Nutrienti & Supplementi: “The Synergistic Role of the Mediterranean Diet and Nutritional Supplementation in Ulcerative Colitis,” authored by Maria Chiara Mentella, Nutritionist at the IBD Unit, UOC CEMAD – “A. Gemelli” University Polyclinic Foundation, IRCCS – Rome.
The clinical case
This case report describes the nutritional management of a 28-year-old female patient with ulcerative colitis who was being treated with oral mesalazine and presented with clinical and laboratory evidence of protein-energy malnutrition and increased bowel movement frequency.
An 8-week combined nutritional intervention was initiated, consisting of a personalized Mediterranean diet and oral supplementation with LH VIOLA (4 scoops/day, approximately 400 kcal and 22 g of protein/day), without any changes to the ongoing drug therapy.
The results
At the end of the 8 weeks, the patient showed weight regain, with her BMI increasing from 17.8 to 19.3 kg/m² (+8.4%), and normalization of key inflammatory and nutritional parameters: albumin from 3.2 to 4.0 g/dL (+25%), CRP from 13.7 to 3.9 mg/L (-71.5%), vitamin D from 16 to 31 ng/mL (+93.8%), ferritin from 18 to 42 ng/mL (+133.3%). Clinically, normal bowel movements were observed, along with a reduction in bloating and improvement in fatigue.
The clinical message
This case highlights how an integrated nutritional approach—combining the Mediterranean diet with oral supplementation tailored to individual needs—can optimize energy and protein intake without exacerbating intestinal symptoms, thereby serving as a strategic component in the multidisciplinary management of ulcerative colitis and, more broadly, inflammatory bowel diseases.
👉 Read the full case report on Nutrients & Supplements: https://www.nutrientiesupplementi.it/mici/item/3571-il-ruolo-sinergico-della-dieta-mediterranea-e-della-supplementazione-nutrizionale-nella-rettocolite-ulcerosa-un-case-report
👉 View all IBD case reports: https://www.nutrientiesupplementi.it/index.php/MICI
