- Infectious gastroenteritis will increase the risk of developing certain function bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, heart burn  and functional dyspepsia.  This is according to a new study published in the latest issue do the medical journal Gastroenterology

· Study authors report that gastroenteritis can lead to heartburn or IBS years later.  Infectious gastroenteritis may cause chronic low-grade inflammation of the intestinal track which can lead to symptoms of functional bowels disorders.

· The current study analyzed people from a small community in Canada where there was an outbreak of bacterial gastroenteritis in the year 2000.  Over 2,300 people were infected and seven people died from the infection.

· Researchers studied approximately 1,088 participants from this community six year period.

Over 50% of the study participants who had been infected during the outbreak reported symptoms of dyspepsia which included heart burn, nonspecific abdominal pain and discomfort.  Only 30% of the people who were not infected during the outbreak had dyspepsia symptoms

· Given the higher rate of gastrointestinal complaints in the affected study population, researchers concluded that bacterial gastroenteritis plays a role in the development of chronic functional bowel disorders.

Cristopher Geiler, MD

Gastroenterology... [Read More]

-Diets that are rich in raw fresh fruits, fruit juices, and vegetables may improve lung function and reduce exacerbations in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is according to a study published in the latest issue of the journal European Respiratory Journal.

Study authors enrolled 120 patients with lung disease, emphysema or chronic bronchitis in a three year study. All patients completed dietary questionnaires at six month intervals.

Sixty patients were randomized to the intervention arm, in which they were instructed to increase their fresh fruit and vegetable consumption by at least one portion per day. The control group had no diet guidance.

The groups were similar at baseline in demographic factors, smoking or smoking cessation, dietary habits, and spirometry results. They were also similar in terms of their physical activity, alcohol consumption and weight during the study.

At baseline, the groups were similar in their consumption of vegetables and fruits. Throughout the study, diets in the control group remained unchanged, but antioxidant consumption rose significantly in the intervention group.

Study authors report that in the year before the study, the average number of COPD exacerbations were similar in the intervention group and control group. During the study, the average number of COPD exacerbations were significantly lower in the intervention group.

The high-antioxidant diet was also associated with an improvement in lung function.

Although this was a small study, it is likely that diets that are high in... [Read More]