Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare, progressive, autoimmune bile duct and liver disease characterized by inflammation of the bile ducts. This week I interview RD Brittany Roman-Green and we discuss what the current research says about PSC and how it is related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Nutrition Pearls for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and IBD:

  • Up to 80% of patients with PSC also have IBD – usually ulcerative colitis
  • Nutrition counselling for IBD is unique and needs to be individualized to consider an individuals trigger foods, cultural background, medications, lifestyle, nutritional risks, and different relationships with food and their body.
  • Consider that IBD is a chronic relapsing condition and specific diets are hard to maintain for most people and not sustainable for the long haul while also maintaining a healthy relationship with food and their body.
  • The nutrition recommendations for patients to consume higher levels or fruits and vegetables, even more than what’s recommended for the average individual, can be difficult from a tolerance perspective. However, with dietitian support, creative ways can be tailored to meet the patients needs.
  • It is important to assess dietary interventions by asking “what can we add in instead of take away”
  • IBD patients are at a high risk for disordered eating. This can have negative outcomes for the disease emphasizing the importance of a healthy food relationships.
  • It is important to inform the patient of the pros and the cons of both medication and diet options, especially when dietary options presented are restrictive and put the patient at risk of eating disorders. Risk-benefits need to be discussed with the patient so they can give informed consent.

Although the etiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is poorly understood, it is a progressive disease characterized by inflammation of the bile ducts.

This week I interview RD Brittany Roman-Green and we discuss primary sclerosing cholangitis, its relationship to ulcerative colitis and what the current research says about it.

Brittany Roman-Green is the founder of Romanwell and is an IBD focused registered dietitian nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and behavior change specialist. Brittany’s the national coleader of the diet and nutrition national scientific advisory committee for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and the national leader of the registered dietitians in IBD practice group for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Brittany has lived with ulcerative colitis for over 20 years and also has IBS and PSC. 

We talk about:

  • Brittany’s journey to becoming a dietitian – her journey with IBD, PSC, and how it informed her practice
  • What is primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
  • What are the symptoms of PSC?
  • Why do people with IBD develop PSC?
  • Does nutrition influence PSC management?
  • Nutrition management of IBD, including a discussion about inflammatory foods
  • The use of restrictive diets and their potential side effects
  • The 2020 International Organization for the study of IBD guidelines

Connect with Roman-Green on her website at romanwell.com on Instagram @weareromanwell or on her Facebook here as well! You can also checkout their IBD starter kit that’s full of tips for advocating for oneself when you have IBD.

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