Strawberry Tree Extract Shows Potential for Assisting in Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Globally, approximately 4.9 million people were living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 2019. This condition primarily encompasses ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, both chronic inflammatory digestive system diseases.
Ulcerative colitis's cause remains somewhat unclear, yet research suggests factors such as family history, ethnicity, gut microbiome composition, and environmental factors like cigarette smoke can increase a person's risk.
Currently, there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, and treatment revolves around medication, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, surgery, and dietary changes. Previous studies indicate that specific nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, and probiotics, may help alleviate some symptoms.
Recently, a study published in a reputable journal points towards an extract from the Mediterranean plant, called the strawberry tree or Arbutus unedo, as a potential preventive and treatment option for ulcerative colitis.
The strawberry tree, native to the Mediterranean region and Western Europe, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers focused on Arbutus unedo extract's impact on obesity in initial studies. Following this, they delved into its effects on inflammation, specifically in relation to ulcerative colitis.
The study used a mouse model to investigate the efficacy of strawberry tree extract in treating ulcerative colitis. The researchers found that pretreatment with the extract helped prevent changes in the colon's lining and decreased the development of colonic lesions, as compared to mice not receiving it. This suggests that the extract could potentially protect the colon from damage and reduce the severity of ulcerative colitis.
Additionally, the study revealed that mice pretreated with strawberry tree extract had a lower expression of proteins promoting oxidative stress and inflammation. This finding indicates that the extract may help reduce harmful oxidative stress and inflammation, factors linked to the development of ulcerative colitis.
Further studies are planned to clarify the mechanisms behind Arbutus unedo extract's effects and to evaluate its impact in human cell models to confirm its therapeutic potential for treating gastrointestinal diseases.
Integrative medicine physician Jillian Cohen, MD, DABFM, ABOIM, commented that the findings were promising and encouraging. She emphasized the need for rigorous clinical trials to assess the extract's safety, efficacy, and potential integration into existing care for ulcerative colitis treatment.
While the Mediterranean strawberry tree may not be easily accessible to everyone, people seeking benefits similar to those borne by the strawberry tree can achieve them by incorporating specific foods into their diets. Examples include foods rich in antioxidants, such as asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, okra, and spinach.
Sources like beans, beets, bone broth, chicken and turkey, cabbage, eggs, fish, lentils, and tofu contain glutamine, a nutrient that supports the gut lining. Foods such as grapes, green tea, turmeric, apples, onions, leafy greens, and tea also contain polyphenols, which help protect the gut lining and possess antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, recommended consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) for personalized recommendations based on a person's individual needs, current health status, and food access to ensure optimal gut health.
- The study's findings suggest that extract from the Mediterranean plant, namely Arbutus unedo, could potentially offer preventive and treatment options for ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory digestive system disease.
- Dietary changes, such as incorporating foods rich in antioxidants, like asparagus, avocados, broccoli, and spinach, and foods containing glutamine, like beans, fish, and tofu, may help alleviate some symptoms of ulcerative colitis and other chronic diseases.
- A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), like Monique Richard, can provide personalized recommendations to ensure optimal gut health, considering a person's individual needs, current health status, and food access.
- Integrative medicine physicians, such as Jillian Cohen, emphasize the need for rigorous clinical trials to assess the safety, efficacy, and potential integration of Arbutus unedo extract into existing care for ulcerative colitis treatment.
- The field of science continues to explore the links between nutrition, diet, and the management of medical-conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and other chronic diseases related to health-and-wellness, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal system.
