Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

What is IBD?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract. The two most common types of IBD are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Unlike functional gut disorders, where the gut structure is normal but digestion doesn’t work as it should, IBD involves immune activation and ongoing inflammation that can damage the intestinal lining over time.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of disease, but may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgency, blood or mucus in stool, fatigue, poor appetite, nutrient deficiencies, and unintended weight changes. IBD often follows a pattern of flares and remission and can significantly impact daily life, energy levels, and overall wellbeing.

What Causes IBD?

IBD happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the digestive tract. It’s a complex disease that is caused by a variety of factors. While genetics play a role, symptoms and disease activity are strongly influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, including:

• Immune system dysregulation: An overactive immune response drives chronic gut inflammation.

• Gut microbiome imbalances: Reduced microbial diversity or dysbiosis can worsen inflammation and barrier integrity.

• Dietary factors: Certain foods may aggravate symptoms during flares or contribute to ongoing inflammation.

• Stress & the gut-brain axis: Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation can influence immune activity and symptom severity.

• Nutrient deficiencies: Malabsorption, restricted intake, or increased needs can lead to deficiencies that affect healing and energy.

How Nutrition Counseling Can Help with IBD

Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting gut integrity, managing symptoms, and maintaining remission, alongside medical care. Our IBD nutrition counseling is designed to complement your treatment plan, while helping you feel more in control of your health.

At Family Nutrition Solutions, we can help you:

• Support remission by reducing dietary inflammation and gut irritation
• Identify foods that worsen symptoms during flares while maintaining adequate nutrition
• Address nutrient deficiencies (such as iron, B12, vitamin D, or protein)
• Support gut barrier function and microbiome health
• Navigate eating during flares, remission, travel, and social situations
• Use functional lab testing (such as GI-MAP stool testing), when appropriate, to assess gut health more deeply

Our goal is to protect your nutritional status, reduce symptom burden, and support long-term gut resilience.