A potent nutrient cocktail that was initially developed for astronauts can prove useful to provide relief to children suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a research. The research was reported by Dr. Raanan Shamir of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine and Schneider Children’s Medical Centre in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

Till date, children afflicted with the complication have been treated with the same steroid-based medication prescribed to adults.

From Sciencedaily.com:

“In adults, studies have shown that steroids are more effective in the battle against IBD than nutrition-based therapies. I think it is easier to get compliance from children, especially when it involves their growth. For adults, growth is not a concern — they just want to feel better,” explains Dr. Shamir.

Dr. Shamir and his team of researchers have worked to show the international medical community that nutrition was equal to steroids in the treatment of children with IBD. “We published the most recent meta-analysis to show that nutrition is as good as steroids as a first-line therapy for Crohn’s disease,” he says.

The next step in his research, says Dr. Shamir, is to “define exactly the role of nutrition in inducing remission in these patients, and the role of nutrition in maintaining remission.

A treatment option based on steroids may not be a good idea for children when compared to adults, as per Dr. Shamir.