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What About Alternative Therapies I Can Try? Dietary Supplements, Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Alternative Therapies in IBD

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine is a growing area of research in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While it is clear that patients with IBD should take calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent osteoporosis, the role of dietary and herbal supplements to treat the inflammation in IBD is still under investigation. Scientific studies have shown that probiotics are effective in treating pouchitis and ulcerative colitis. In addition to probiotics, prebiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, herbal supplements, and helminth (worm) therapy are examples of alternative treatments that are being studied. We are still learning about their treatment potential, as well as possible side effects.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Sandra M. Quezada M.D., M.S.

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Raymond K. Cross M.D., M.S.

Authors
  1. Sandra M. Quezada M.D., M.S.
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  2. Raymond K. Cross M.D., M.S.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandra M. Quezada M.D., M.S. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Daniel J. Stein

  2. Chief, Division Gastroenterology and Hepatology Digestive Disease Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Reza Shaker

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Quezada, S.M., Cross, R.K. (2015). What About Alternative Therapies I Can Try? Dietary Supplements, Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Alternative Therapies in IBD. In: Stein, D., Shaker, R. (eds) Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14072-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14072-8_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14071-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14072-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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