Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible CausesDiet and UCNext in Ulcerative Colitis GuideUlcerative Colitis Diagnosis and Testing: How It Works
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Possible Causes
Diet and UC
Next in Ulcerative Colitis Guide
Ulcerative colitis causes may include genetic factors, autoimmune issues, environmental triggers, or a combination of all three. Some researchers are also investigating the role of diet in the development of ulcerative colitis. However, the exact cause of this inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been identified.
Still, research is ongoing to understand ulcerative colitis (UC) fully. Ultimately, scientists believe that there is more than one cause of ulcerative colitis and that several factors work together.
2:33Watch Now: What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?
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Watch Now: What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?
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Potential Causes of Ulcerative Colitis
The cause of ulcerative colitis may be different for one individual than for another. Factors thought to cause ulcerative colitis include a complex interaction of genetics, immune response, and environmental triggers.
Genetics
Althoughulcerative colitisis known to “run in families,” researchers note that it is not as simple as being passed down from parent to child. More than 100 genes have been identified as having a potential role.
Most people do not have a family member who also has the disease—only about 10 to 20 percent of those who have ulcerative colitis also have a close relative who has a form of IBD.
The most important risk factor currently identified fordeveloping IBDis having a relative who also has the disease. Yet having the genes that are associated with ulcerative colitis does not always mean a person will develop the disease.
There’s another piece to the puzzle, and researchers think that this is where a variety of other potential triggers come into play.
Autoimmune Reaction
Another factor thought to be a part of the development of IBD is an immune reaction.
In the case of ulcerative colitis, that is the large intestine. This is the theory behind medications that suppress the immune system and why they are effective in some cases of IBD; when the immune response is lowered, the disease becomes less active.
Because an immune reaction is believed to be involved in the development of this inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis is currently thought to be an autoimmune orimmune-mediated, condition.
Environmental Triggers
Genetics and the immune system response may not be enough to explain the development of ulcerative colitis. There may be one or more conditions in the environment, too.
It’s not currently known how or if triggers work together or interact with the other potential causes of ulcerative colitis, but it is thought that more than one is probably involved. A few potential candidates include:
Can Diet Cause UC?
Still, the relationship between diet and ulcerative colitis is complex, and research is ongoing. For instance, a 2019 study inNutrientscalled out specific foods or food types that were associated with an increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis. They include:
Furthermore, a 2023 research review published in the same journal concluded that a Western diet rich in processed foods, saturated fats, sugars, red meats, and refined grains is associated with increased inflammation in those with ulcerative colitis.
However, many study authors also point to foods that are associated with a decreased risk of developing ulcerative colitis or inflammation.
An increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, chia seeds, cold-water fish, etc.) is associated with a decreased risk of developing UC.
In general, eating a nutritious diet is associated with better health and is recommended for those with ulcerative colitis. This is particularly true during flare-ups. Some people may lose their appetite and not get adequate nutrients as a result. Maximizing your intake of fruits, veggies, and healthy fat may be helpful in maintaining your energy.
Summary
The exact cause or causes of ulcerative colitis are still not known. However, many researchers believe that a range of factors may be involved, including genetics, immune reactions, and certain environmental factors, such as your smoking history and where you live.
Certain foods and overall diet quality have also been studied for their role in the development and management of ulcerative colitis. While certain foods like red meat and sugary sodas are associated with an increased risk of UC, other foods like fruits and vegetables are associated with a decreased risk. In general, however, eating a nutritious diet is recommended for those with UC to help maintain energy and overall wellness.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fakhoury M, Negrulj R, Mooranian A, Al-salami H.Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and treatments.J Inflamm Res. 2014;7:113-20. doi:10.2147/JIR.S65979Sarlos P, Kovesdi E, Magyari L, et al.Genetic update on inflammatory factors in ulcerative colitis: Review of the current literature.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(3):304-21. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i3.304Collins P, Rhodes J.Ulcerative colitis: diagnosis and management.BMJ. 2006;333(7563):340-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7563.340Kornbluth A, Sachar DB.Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee.Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(3):501-23. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.727Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.The Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770.Aniwan S, Tremaine WJ, Raffals LE, Kane SV, Loftus EV.Antibiotic Use and New-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.J Crohns Colitis. 2018;12(2):137-144. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx135National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Ulcerative ColitisKeshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498.Herrador-López M, Martín-Masot R, Navas-López VM.Dietary interventions in ulcerative colitis: a systematic review of the evidence with meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2023;15(19):4194.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fakhoury M, Negrulj R, Mooranian A, Al-salami H.Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and treatments.J Inflamm Res. 2014;7:113-20. doi:10.2147/JIR.S65979Sarlos P, Kovesdi E, Magyari L, et al.Genetic update on inflammatory factors in ulcerative colitis: Review of the current literature.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(3):304-21. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i3.304Collins P, Rhodes J.Ulcerative colitis: diagnosis and management.BMJ. 2006;333(7563):340-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7563.340Kornbluth A, Sachar DB.Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee.Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(3):501-23. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.727Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.The Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770.Aniwan S, Tremaine WJ, Raffals LE, Kane SV, Loftus EV.Antibiotic Use and New-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.J Crohns Colitis. 2018;12(2):137-144. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx135National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Ulcerative ColitisKeshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498.Herrador-López M, Martín-Masot R, Navas-López VM.Dietary interventions in ulcerative colitis: a systematic review of the evidence with meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2023;15(19):4194.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fakhoury M, Negrulj R, Mooranian A, Al-salami H.Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and treatments.J Inflamm Res. 2014;7:113-20. doi:10.2147/JIR.S65979Sarlos P, Kovesdi E, Magyari L, et al.Genetic update on inflammatory factors in ulcerative colitis: Review of the current literature.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(3):304-21. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i3.304Collins P, Rhodes J.Ulcerative colitis: diagnosis and management.BMJ. 2006;333(7563):340-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7563.340Kornbluth A, Sachar DB.Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee.Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(3):501-23. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.727Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.The Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770.Aniwan S, Tremaine WJ, Raffals LE, Kane SV, Loftus EV.Antibiotic Use and New-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.J Crohns Colitis. 2018;12(2):137-144. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx135National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Ulcerative ColitisKeshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498.Herrador-López M, Martín-Masot R, Navas-López VM.Dietary interventions in ulcerative colitis: a systematic review of the evidence with meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2023;15(19):4194.
Fakhoury M, Negrulj R, Mooranian A, Al-salami H.Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and treatments.J Inflamm Res. 2014;7:113-20. doi:10.2147/JIR.S65979
Sarlos P, Kovesdi E, Magyari L, et al.Genetic update on inflammatory factors in ulcerative colitis: Review of the current literature.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(3):304-21. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i3.304
Collins P, Rhodes J.Ulcerative colitis: diagnosis and management.BMJ. 2006;333(7563):340-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7563.340
Kornbluth A, Sachar DB.Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee.Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(3):501-23. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.727
Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.The Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770.
Aniwan S, Tremaine WJ, Raffals LE, Kane SV, Loftus EV.Antibiotic Use and New-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.J Crohns Colitis. 2018;12(2):137-144. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx135
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Ulcerative Colitis
Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498.
Herrador-López M, Martín-Masot R, Navas-López VM.Dietary interventions in ulcerative colitis: a systematic review of the evidence with meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2023;15(19):4194.
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