Getting enough vitamin D is especially important for growing kids, because it is involved in bone growth, bone density and bone strength, and in growth itself. Vitamin D also appears to have other health benefits.

Anemia is common in IBD and iron deficiency is the leading cause. Studies show up to 95% of individuals newly diagnosed with IBD are iron deficient. Learn more about iron deficiency and IBD from the ICN Registered Dietitian group, including common symptoms, as well as what to expect with testing, treatment, management and prevention.

In 2014, a question came to the ImproveCareNow Registered Dietitian (RD) group about how to choose foods that can promote healthy weight loss and control hunger without causing a flare of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. By answering questions from our community, the RD group aims to provide valuable tools and information for patients and families to better understand the role of nutrition in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The RD group encourages partnerships between patients and their care teams, including dietitians, so together they can design a dietary plan to avoid food-related complications from IBD and promote healthy weight maintenance.

Dieticians are often asked whether probiotics are beneficial in the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD). Before reviewing the research, let’s discuss what probiotics are.