Watch this video to to learn about the relationship between diet and IBD, including dietary interventions that target the intestinal microbiome (community of microorganisms in the gut) to manage inflammation and nutritional health. You will hear about how scientists study the microbiome and the latest research findings for the Anti-inflammatory diet. Are you interested in taking part in diet interventions? Get to know what to expect when participating in these studies from a Crohn's and Colitis Canada funded researcher.
Expert Speaker
Dr. Leo Dieleman
University of Alberta
Dr. Leo Dieleman is a Professor of Medicine and a clinician-scientist at the University of Alberta, where he serves as the Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Research within the Division of Gastroenterology. Since joining the university in 2003, Dr. Dieleman has been at the forefront of IBD research, focusing on the interplay between intestinal bacteria, probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions in the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD. His work has been continuously supported by esteemed organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and Alberta Innovates.
Dr. Dieleman's research has significantly contributed to understanding how dietary components influence IBD. He has explored the effects of various dietary fibers on intestinal inflammation, aiming to develop personalized dietary guidelines for IBD patients. His studies have highlighted that certain types of dietary fiber can exacerbate symptoms in some individuals, leading to the development of a stool test to predict patient responses to specific fibers. This personalized approach to nutrition underscores his commitment to improving patient outcomes through tailored interventions.
Beyond his research, Dr. Dieleman is actively involved in national initiatives aimed at advancing IBD care. He is a research lead in the IMAGINE SPOR Network, a Canadian consortium focused on understanding the role of the microbiome in IBD and developing innovative treatments. His contributions have earned him recognition as a leading figure in gastroenterology, particularly in the realm of translational research that bridges laboratory findings with clinical applications.