Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD).  Both of these diagnoses likely have similar etiologies, but they each affect different locations and layers within the lower GI system.  Unlike UC, CD can affect the upper GI tract as well.

The following focuses on the Integrative Whole Health approach to IBD.  When possible, it will be specified whether a given study focused on UC, CD, or both disorders.

In the U.S. military population, prevalence of IBD is estimated to be 202 and 146 cases out of 100,000 individuals for UC and CD, respectively.  Three main demographic variables in this population incur a higher risk: age, female sex, and Caucasian ethnicity.¹ However, inflammatory bowel diseases have been increasing in minority populations; in addition, those who identify as Hispanic or Asian have increased rates of pan-colonic inflammation.² The incidence of IBD has been increasing with increasing industrialization and marked dietary changes over recent decades.^{3, 4}

IBD is complex and multifactorial.  Environmental factors (especially nutrition, smoking, and infections) and genetic factors interact, leading to a dysfunctional relationship between one’s intestinal microbiome and immune system due to abnormal intestinal barrier function (reference Figure 1).