Environmental and Lifestyle Factors in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
AI Summary
Diet and lifestyle substantially influence IBD; favour whole-food or Mediterranean diets, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and monitor micronutrient status.
Sleep disturbances and mental health correlate with disease activity; cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness can improve symptoms and quality of life.
Environmental pollutants including microplastics, pesticides, and heavy metals may affect IBD risk and progression, requiring further research and clinical integration.
Am J Lifestyle Med. 2026 Jun 27:15598276261462804. doi: 10.1177/15598276261462804. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, multifactorial disease resulting from complex interactions between the immune system, gut microbiota, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors. Although advances in pharmacologic therapies have improved disease control, increasing evidence indicates that lifestyle and environmental factors influence disease course and patient well-being. In this review, we assess the impact of lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, sleep, mental health, and smoking) and environmental factors (pesticides, microplastics, and heavy metals) on IBD. Our manuscript highlights the importance of minimizing highly processed foods, such as those in the Western diet, while promoting a whole-food and Mediterranean diets, regular physical activity, and monitoring for micronutrient deficiencies. We also provide information on sleep disturbances, mental health, and disease activity, as well as interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, which may improve the quality of life of these patients. Emerging evidence suggests that environmental pollutants, including microplastics and pesticides, may affect IBD risk and progression, highlighting the need for further research. Integrating structured lifestyle recommendations into clinical care may have a significant role in improving outcomes in patients with IBD.
J Fam Psychol. 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1037/fam0001507. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTParents of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth navigate various fears within a sociopolitical context...
Psychol Trauma. 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1037/tra0002219. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: Intimate partner violence, which includes physical assault, sexual violation and coercion, economic abuse, as...
J Community Psychol. 2026 Jul;54(5):e70117. doi: 10.1002/jcop.70117.ABSTRACTAIMS: Historical oppression of Indigenous communities has led to high poverty, violence, and substance use. The pandemic amplified pre-existing...
J Community Psychol. 2026 Jul;54(5):e70107. doi: 10.1002/jcop.70107.ABSTRACTThe ongoing system of coloniality, sustained through dehumanisation, racialised violence, oppression, war, and genocidal acts of violence, has left...
J Interpers Violence. 2026 Jun 29:8862605261462151. doi: 10.1177/08862605261462151. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChild Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) offending has increased in recent years. Rather than being...
