Chronic bowel diseases
Chronic bowel diseases (CBD) are highly prevalent, and the incidence is rising. This may concern men and women of all ages. CBD have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. A sedentary, stressful lifestyle with poor nutrition may have a negative effect on the course of CBD. Therefore, even during medical treatment, lifestyle factors may play a role on the course of these diseases. In our research group, we study the effect of nutrition and physical activity on the course of chronic bowel diseases and on the gut microbiome.
The focus is on inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and on non-inflammatory diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation and abdominal complaints in neurological disorders such as neurogenic bowel problems in spinal cord injury. We also conduct research into improving the condition before and after surgery to prevent postoperative complications of the gastrointestinal tract. We have strong collaborations with hospital Gelderse Vallei in Ede, Rijnstate hospital in Arnhem, Heliomare rehabilitation centre Wijk aan Zee and several academic medical centres.
Key projects
Key publications
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Patient's Dietary Beliefs and Behaviours in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Digestive Diseases 37 (2019)2. - ISSN 0257-2753 - p. 131 - 139. -
Increasing dietary fibre intake in healthy adults using personalised dietary advice compared with general advice : A single-blind randomised controlled trial
Public Health Nutrition 24 (2021)5. - ISSN 1368-9800 - p. 1117 - 1128. -
The association between inflammatory potential of diet and disease activity : Results from a cross-sectional study in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
BMC Gastroenterology 20 (2020)1. - ISSN 1471-230X -
Patient experiences with the role of physical activity in inflammatory bowel disease : results from a survey and interviews
BMC Gastroenterology 21 (2021)1. - ISSN 1471-230X -
Repeated prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise does not appear to have harmful effects on inflammatory markers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 56 (2021)1. - ISSN 0036-5521 - p. 30 - 37. -
Subtypes and Severity of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Are Not Related to Patients’ Self-Reported Dietary Triggers: Results From an Online Survey in Dutch Adults
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 121 (2021)9. - ISSN 2212-2672 - p. 1750 - 1762.e8.