Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, affects over 270,000 Canadians. That number is expected to grow to over 400,000 by 2030. At Ascend, we want to show the important role nutrition plays in the development and management of IBD. With our patient-centric approach, we can help develop innovative nutritional and lifestyle-based interventions that can help improve the lives of people living with IBD.
Read about individual IBD studies below.
Peace Power Pack Study
Lead Researcher: Dr. Puneeta Tandon
Description: The Peace power pack is an online, 12-week stress reduction program designed specifically for people living with IBD. Through this study, we hope to further understand the link between stress and IBD, and empower patients with tools to help them better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
Inquire about this study
Ulcerative Colitis and Sulfur
Lead Researcher: Dr. Maitreyi Raman
Description: This study involves a nutritional intervention for patients who are in an ulcerative colitis flare to test if avoiding certain foods can help improve conditions at a faster rate.
Inquire about this study
Crohn’s Disease Therapeutic Dietary Intervention (TDI)
Lead Researcher: Dr. Maitreyi Raman
Description: This is a 12-week therapeutic diet intervention in Crohn’s disease patients who are currently experiencing a flare of their disease.
Crohns Disease and Nutrition Intervention Study
Lead Researcher: Dr. Maitreyi Raman
Description: Nutrition can play a key role in the management of IBD, but can it impact the length of stay following intestinal surgery? This study aims to examine patients who are waiting for intestinal surgery to determine whether the nutrition they receive in the days before their surgery impacts how long they are hospitalized.
Study results: TBA.
IBD and Cirrhosis Screening
Lead Researcher: Dr. Maitreyi Raman/Dr. Puneeta Tandon
Description: There is a tremendous body of evidence linking nutrition and eating habits to the development of IBD and Cirrhosis. To further understand the relationship, this study screened 400 patients with cirrhosis and IBD to identify their nutrition status and eating habits.
Study results: TBA.
The SMILE Study
Lead researcher: Dr. Maitreyi Raman
Description: The Stress and Mediation in IBD: Link and Effects (SMILE) study aims to investigate the impact stress reduction techniques can have on patients with IBD. Specifically, the feasibility and impact of a mind-body intervention, effects of self-massage and an anti-inflammatory tea on perceived stress level and quality of life.
Study results: TBA
Diet Patterns in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Lead researcher: Dr. Maitreyi Raman
Description: The role diet plays in changing the gut bacteria composition is known. The ability of diet to modify intestinal inflammation is a topic of great interest, and holds promise as a treatment strategy for patients diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. There are limited published data describing the dietary intake in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). In this study, we examined the macro- and micro-nutrient intakes and dietary patterns of patients with CD to inform future dietary interventions.