ABSTRACT
The term inŽammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of chronic immune disorders of unknown etiology characterized by intestinal inŽammation which subsequently leads to debilitating symptoms which can adversely affect performance and quality of life. Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two most common phenotypes. In these disease processes, the thermodynamic demands of inŽammation as well as the tissue losses from intestinal injury result in an increase in energy and nutrient requirements. As such, protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient de˜ciencies are common sequelae of this chronic persistent catabolic state.
