Lycopene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin May Reduce Faecal Blood, Mucus and Pus but not Abdominal Pain in Individuals with Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Background: The main symptom of ulcerative colitis is diarrhoea, which is often accompanied by painful tenesmus and faecal blood and mucus. It sometimes co-occurs with abdominal pain, fever, feeling of fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Some dietary factors have been indicated as important in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The aim of the study was to analyse the association between retinoid intake (total vitamin A, retinol, β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin) and ulcerative colitis symptoms (abdominal pain, faecal blood, faecal mucus, faecal pus) in individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission. Methods: Assessment of diet was based on self-reported data from each patient’s dietary records taken over a period of three typical, random days (2 weekdays and 1 day of the weekend). Results: A total of 56 individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission (19 males and 37 females) were recruited for the study. One in every four individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission was characterised as having inadequate vitamin A intake. Higher lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin intakes in individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission were associated with lower faecal blood, mucus and pus but not with lower incidence of abdominal pain. Higher carotene intake in individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission may contribute to higher incidence of faecal mucus. Conclusions: Optimising intake of specific retinoids may enhance disease control in individuals with ulcerative colitis. Prospective studies, including patient reported and objective outcomes, are required to confirm this.

Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Ulcerative Colitis in Remission

“…The study included the analysis of diet, as well as the analysis of the disease symptoms in the period of remission. The previous analysis verified the association between dietary intake of carotenoids [16,20], as well as isoflavones [17,21], and the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. However, those studies did not explain fully the influence of diet, so it was hypothesized, that there may be some other diet-related factor which may influence the disease.…”

Influence of dietary isoflavone intake on gastrointestinal symptoms in ulcerative colitis individuals in remission

“…Total number of 56 remission ulcerative colitis individuals (19 males and 37 females), age 18-80 years, was recruited for the study. Inclusion criteria were described in the previous publication[ 19 ]. All of the participants provided written consent to participate in the study.…”

“…Assessment of the diets was based on the self-reported data from dietary records conducted in three typical random days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day). The dietary record was conducted on the basis of widely accepted and applied rules, the same as in the case of previously published analysis assessing the retinoid intake in the ulcerative colitis individuals[ 19 ]. To provide the reliable estimates of food intake, participants were instructed about the principles of conducting dietary record, as well as about the necessity of accurate and scrupulous recording of all consumed food products and beverages.…”

The Effect of an Iron Supplement on Lycopene Metabolism and Absorption During Digestion in Healthy Humans

“…Limited LYC absorption also suggests that the portion remaining in the digestive tract could protect the gastrointestinal system from oxidative damage. Higher intakes of LYC have been associated with a reduced fecal blood, mucus, and pus in subjects with ulcerative colitis in remission . Likewise, animal studies of colitis have demonstrated a reduction in myeloperoxidase, a marker of colon inflammation, after LYC administration both with or without iron.…”