Low-Calorie Diet May Be Harmful for Bowel Disease Patients

[MBombardier]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 152003.htm

Unexpectedly, study results suggest increased body fat induced by a high-fat diet did not influence the severity of colitis, despite changes in hormones that are known to increase with obesity and influence inflammation. In fact, researchers found calorie-restricted mice had a higher mortality rate in response to infection with H. hepaticus, dying before tumors even developed.

"Future studies should examine the association between body fat percentage and immune responses to infections leading to inflammatory bowel diseases," Fenton said. "Understanding how a low-calorie diet increases mortality in this model may lead to new treatments for the disease in humans."

I thought this was interesting, and somewhat confusing. There are infections that lead to IBD?

[tex]

That study involved a low-calorie diet, a normal-calorie diet, and a high-calorie diet. To illustrate the bias in the medical community against fat in the diet, note that the authors referred to the high calorie diet as a high-fat diet.

I've long maintained that it's dangerous to go into a hospital for major surgery, in an underweight condition, or in a low-cholesterol condition. It takes energy to fight disease, and to heal, (in addition to protein), and body fat will supply vital energy when someone comes out of surgery, and isn't allowed to eat anything for several days.

Thanks for the link.

Tex