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Nutritional Insights and Challenges in Gastrointestinal Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2025) | Viewed by 843

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Department of Oral Diagnostics & Research, School of Dentistry, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Interests: periodontitis; oral biology and health; bioactive compounds; metabolic disease and oral hygiene
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases encompass a broad spectrum of conditions that affect the digestive system, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and gastrointestinal cancers, among others. These conditions often have a profound impact on nutritional health, and managing nutrition becomes an essential part of treating and supporting patients with GI disorders. Understanding the nutritional challenges and insights into these diseases is critical for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Many factors play a role, but some of the most prevalent include malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies, impact on the gut microbiome, dietary patterns and symptom management, inflammation and healing, weight management, and GI health.

Many patients with GI disorders face dietary restrictions based on their condition. For instance, individuals with IBDs may need to avoid certain fiber-rich foods during flare-ups, while people with celiac disease must strictly avoid gluten. These restrictions can limit food choices and lead to challenges in maintaining a balanced, nutrient-dense diet. Educating patients on how to navigate these restrictions without compromising nutritional intake is a key challenge for healthcare providers. Other factors also weigh in, such as medications, gastrointestinal surgery and nutritional recovery, psychological and social factors, and the complexity of individualized diet plans.

Therefore, nutritional care plays a fundamental role in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Addressing the challenges of nutrient malabsorption, food sensitivities, and the impacts of medications and surgery requires careful consideration and individualized interventions. A well-balanced diet tailored to the specific needs of patients with GI conditions can significantly improve symptom control, prevent nutritional deficiencies, and support overall health. By integrating nutritional therapy with medical treatments, healthcare providers can help to optimize the quality of life and long-term well-being of individuals living with gastrointestinal diseases.

Dr. Chethan Sampath
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • gastrointestinal diseases
  • malabsorption
  • gut microbiome
  • inflammation
  • co-morbidities

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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29 pages, 1529 KB  
Systematic Review
The Effect of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on Gastrointestinal Function: A Systematic Review
by Ji-Hye Lee, So-Young Park, Min-Seok Jo, Jae-Woo Park, Jinsung Kim and Seok-Jae Ko
Nutrients 2025, 17(18), 2943; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17182943 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 636
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Dioscoreae Rhizoma, commonly known as yam, has long been used in East Asia as a medicinal food for gastrointestinal (GI) health. This systematic review aimed to assess the GI-related benefits of Dioscoreae Rhizoma by synthesizing findings from both human clinical [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Dioscoreae Rhizoma, commonly known as yam, has long been used in East Asia as a medicinal food for gastrointestinal (GI) health. This systematic review aimed to assess the GI-related benefits of Dioscoreae Rhizoma by synthesizing findings from both human clinical trials and in vivo experimental studies. Methods: A structured search of eight major databases—including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science—was conducted through April 2025. This systematic review includes both human and in vivo animal studies that investigated the effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on gastrointestinal function. Studies such as in vitro experiments, non-original articles and studies involving multi-herbal formulations were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed with three different tools including the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising two human trials and twenty-five animal experiments. Clinical trials reported improvements in gut-microbiota balance, glycemic control, and postsurgical recovery, including enhanced wound healing and reduced infection rates. In animal models, yam-derived interventions attenuated inflammatory responses, enhanced antioxidant defenses, preserved mucosal-barrier integrity, and favorably modified gut-microbiota composition. Discussion and Conclusions: Accumulating evidence supports the GI-beneficial effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, mediated through diverse biological pathways, including immunomodulation, antioxidation, and microbiota regulation. This study has limitations on lack of high-quality human studies, small sample size and heterogeneity among studies regarding different plant parts used, extraction processes, and dosage. Further rigorously designed studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms, standardize intervention protocols, and validate clinical efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Insights and Challenges in Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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