Investigating a Novel Therapeutic Diet for Ulcerative colitis

There is a growing interest in the role of dietary therapies in the clinical management of ulcerative colitis. Recent data have indicated the efficacy of a diet low in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAP) in the management of functional gut symptoms in quiescent ulcerative colitis, but the effectiveness of dietary strategies in the induction or maintenance of remission in UC remains poorly understood. Novel dietary approaches, such as ones targeting the pathogenic mechanisms in UC are much needed and require further study. Our team has recently developed a whole-diet strategy that modulates metabolic end-products of the colonic microbiota involved in the pathogenesis of UC. Hence, there are opportunities for a higher degree student, preferably with a nutrition and/or dietetic background, or a clinical dietitian to undertake a series of dietary studies within this research program. These studies will based within a multi-disciplinary research team at the Department of Gastroenterology, Central Clinical School who pioneered the low FODMAP diet for the management of irritable bowel symptoms. Additionally, the studies will involve: 1. A randomised-controlled dietary feeding study in patients with active UC - there will be opportunities to utilise dietetic skills to build a dietary menu for patients with UC in collaboration with a research chef and a team of dietitians 2. Intestinal profiling of the gut microbiota function in UC patients pre- and post-dietary intervention - The use of sophisticated tools for profiling the metabolic activities of the gut microbiota 3. Expansion of a food database program for the dietary intervention proposed - This will build on your food laboratory skills as well as your food composition knowledge