What nutrient is 50% of IBD patients likely to be intolerant to?

Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, often experience a range of dietary intolerances and malabsorption issues. Lactose intolerance is particularly common among IBD patients. This can be attributed to several factors, including damage to the intestinal lining, which can lead to decreased lactase enzyme production, thus making it difficult to digest lactose found in dairy products.

Furthermore, studies have indicated that a significant proportion of patients with IBD may experience gastrointestinal symptoms related to lactose consumption, leading to the conclusion that a substantial number may be intolerant to lactose. As a result, while managing IBD, dietary modification to reduce or eliminate lactose is often recommended to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life.

In contrast, while other nutrients such as gluten, fructose, and sorbitol can also cause intolerances or sensitivities, they are not as universally or commonly reported among IBD patients as lactose intolerance. Thus, lactose emerges as the nutrient that about 50% of IBD patients are likely to be intolerant to, highlighting its relevance in the dietary management of these individuals.