Micronutrients might be the solution to painful gut

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. A condition with which a massive 10 million people across the globe are affected, and its cause is still vague. The condition damages the colon by damaging its internal tissue lining, which leads to sores development and inflammation. Usually, anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to treat it, a handful of reports point to some link between these medications and the relapse of inflammation. Now, scientists are exploring whether dietary micronutrients could help treat this condition.

In a recent study, a team of researchers from the University of Punjab, Chandigarh and the Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, discovered a link between selenium and colitis in mice. Selenium is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. The results of this study suggest the possibility that selenium relieves the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The study was published in the journal PLOS One and was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In a healthy body, there is a balance between the reactive oxygen molecules produced during the normal functioning of a cell and the antioxidants produced to neutralise them. However, this balance is disrupted in abnormal conditions such as colitis. Selenium, present in cereals, dairy products, meat, poultry and green peas can restore this balance. For adults, the recommended dose of selenium is 55 micrograms per day.

An enzyme, known as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), is a crucial player in causing colitis. It boosts the production of chemicals that cause inflammation in the mucous tissue of the colon. A healthy body can cure such sores by producing anti-inflammatory compounds, but the production and activity of COX-2 are higher during colitis, which worsens inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications cause a relapse of the condition by causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The researchers have investigated how selenium affects COX-2 production during colitis, in the current study. The results show that the dose of selenium is an important consideration; its effectiveness depends on its form, the way it is administered and the duration of treatment. Also, some studies have provided varied information on the biological activity and toxicity of different kinds of selenium.