University of Lethbridge researcher recognized for gut health study

Canada has one of the highest prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease in the world, with more than 300,000 people affected and 35,000 of those being Albertans.

Canada has one of the highest prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the world, with more than 300,000 people affected and 35,000 of those being Albertans, according to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

“By 2030, one per cent of Canadians, including Albertans, will be living with the disease,” says Kate Lee, vice president of research and patient programs with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Lee explains that IBDs are progressive autoimmune diseases that affect an individual’s gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation of the gut and leading to pain and scarring.

“It’s very unpredictable bowel movements,” said Lee. “These are grown-ups who, as adults, are unable to control and predict when they will have the bowel movements, so it’s something that leads to a lot of anxiety and stress, especially when they leave their homes.”

In most cases, people diagnosed with the disease are between the ages of 20 and 30.

“So really the prime of their lives when they’re becoming independent,” said Lee. “Then they’re having to deal with this devastating disease.”

Lee says scientists have found that the industrialization of a nation contributes to growing case numbers.

Research on these diseases has led scientists to discover how important the gut microbiome is to our health.