Vall d’Hebron is seeking volunteers with bowel disorders for a study on the microbiota and dietary habits The importance of the intestinal microbiota for human health has already been scientifically demonstrated, as has the influence of diet on microbiota composition. Different dietary patterns can lead to significant differences in the composition of the population’s intestinal microbiota. For this reason, the team led by Dr. Chaysavanh Manichanh, head of the Microbiome Research Group at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), is launching a study to evaluate the composition of the microbiota in patients with bowel disorders (inflammatory bowel disease) and their family relatives in relation to different food groups.The term microbiota refers to the set of microorganisms that inhabit a specific environment. The highest concentration of microorganisms in the human body is found in the intestinal tract, and it is influenced both by non-modifiable factors—such as type of birth, genetics, or age—and by modifiable factors, such as dietary habits, medications, or lifestyle, among others.Recently, the group published the pilot phase of this study, showing that people with inflammatory bowel disease consume less diverse, fiber-rich diets and have a less diverse gut microbiome, while healthier dietary patterns—particularly those rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and coffee—are associated with reduced inflammation via improvements in gut microbiota, through distinct mechanisms in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The research team now aims to validate these findings in a population-based cohort across Spain.Who can participate in this study?Anyone wishing to enroll as a volunteer must meet the following requirements:Age between 18 and 75 years.Sex: no restriction.Has been diagnosed with either an inflammatory bowel disorder (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).Being a healthy family relative of the patients who participated in this study (spouse, parents, children, or siblings).How does the study work? The study will last 1 year.Participants will complete questionnaires about their food consumption habits.Collection of 2 stool samples at baseline and one year later. The collection materials will be sent to participants’ homes and returned by mail.No visits to the hospital are required.ContactIf you would like more information about this study, please contact the research team by email at ibd.diet.microbiome@vhir.org. You can also complete the form at the bottom of this page. The data requested will be used to distribute the study sample according to sex and place of residence, and to provide additional information to participate in the study.More information about the team studies. Email Indicate your gender City State / Province I have read and accept the privacy policy CAPTCHA This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca – VHIR-G60594009.Purpose: Request for information about VHIR clinical research and participation in the study.Legal basis: Your consent. The requested data is necessary and your request cannot be processed if you do not provide it.Disclosures: Your data will not be disclosed to third parties except to the researcher leading the research, in order to respond to your inquiry.Data retention period: As long as they are useful for the purpose for which they were collected and while liabilities may arise.Rights: You may access, rectify, delete your data, object to or limit its processing, and request its portability, as well as withdraw your consent without retroactive effect by contacting lopd@vhir.org. Withdrawal of consent and objection to the processing of your data will prevent the purpose from being fulfilled. DPO: dpd@ticsalutsocial.org. More information.Requesting information about a research project or clinical trial does not imply inclusion in it.
