Testing Acacia Gum against a placebo for ulcerative colitis

Exclusion

• −Allergy to any ingredients of investigational products or placeboPlaceboA dummy treatment with no active medicine, used for comparison.Read more → (i.e., acacia gum, microcrystalline cellulose, or maltodextrin).
• −Inability to provide informed consentInformed consentThe process of being told what taking part involves, then choosing freely.Read more →.
• −Presence of Crohn disease, IBD unclassified, non-IBD bowel conditions (e.g., celiac), or motility disorder.
• −Presence of abnormal constrictions of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the esophagus and/or the superior opening of the stomach (cardia), potential or existing intestinal blockage, paralysis of the intestine, megacolon, fecal impaction, inflamed bowel or appendicitis, or have failed to defecate after taking another laxative.
• −Presence of serious infection (e.g., infectious colitis).
• −Presence of severe anemia, defined as hemoglobin \<100 g/L or considered clinically significant based on physician discretion.
• −Presence of disease or condition that negatively impacts ability to swallow, which may interfere with intake of supplement.
• −Use of systemic antibiotics for more than a week during two months prior to intervention, or any antibiotic use during the intervention.
• −Use of medications that inhibit peristaltic movement (e.g. opioids, loperamide)
• −Consistent use of topical therapies (e.g., rectal suppositories, enemas) for at least a week, with a resulting improvement in symptoms (defined based on physician discretion).
• −Use of probiotic, prebiotic, or fibre supplements in month prior to intervention or during the course of the trial that are known to affect the gut microbiome (if these are present in foods, such as yogurt or fermented foods, this will be allowed).
• −Chronic use of laxatives, stool softeners, or anti-diarrheal medications.
• −Chronic use of illicit drugs and/or excessive alcohol (e.g., average of \>7 drinks/week).
• −Unable to maintain high fiber intake through supplementation during intervention.
• −Pregnancy or intention of the patient to become pregnant during the study period.
• −Breastfeeding.
• −History of significant chronic disorders such as severe cardiac disease, malignancy requiring systemic chemotherapy or radiation therapy, significant renal failure, severe pulmonary disease, kidney disorders, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other immune-mediated conditions requiring systemic therapy.
• −History of abdominal surgery, including appendectomy.
• −Current smoker (cigarettes).