Cure8 research brief
People with IBD often ask about dietary supplements. This systematic review suggests some randomized-trial evidence that polyphenol supplements—especially curcumin—may help induce clinical improvement in ulcerative colitis, while evidence for Crohn’s disease remains limited. Safety data in trials were sparse.
Adults with ulcerative colitis considering adjunctive dietary supplements; gastroenterologists and IBD clinicians; researchers studying diet or nutraceuticals in IBD.
The review synthesized randomized trials and found several outcomes in UC favoring polyphenol supplementation, especially curcumin, but many pooled estimates were imprecise or influenced by study design and risk-of-bias. Safety reporting across trials was inconsistent and limited, with no clear pattern of increased harm reported but incomplete data.
For Crohn’s disease, randomized evidence is limited and inconclusive. Considerations: These findings summarize trial-level evidence but do not establish clinical recommendations. If you’re thinking about a supplement, discuss it with your clinician because formulations, doses, and interactions vary and trial quality was mixed.
This entry is based on the article abstract and pooled trial data reported by the authors. The review notes imprecision and sensitivity to study risk-of-bias for several pooled outcomes, heterogeneous formulations and outcomes across trials, and limited safety reporting. This is not a treatment recommendation; discuss supplements with your care team.
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Funding disclosed by the source: 2024 Anhui Province Clinical Medicine Research and Translation Special Project, award 202427b10020023; 2023 Anhui Provincial Key Project for Natural Science Research in Higher Education Institutions, award 2023AH050752; Anhui Province “14th Five-Year Plan” Recommended Program for the Construction of Key Clinical Specialties, award Wan Wei Yi Mi [2022] No. 105; Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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