Nutrigenomics and Epigenetics in the Dietary Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic diseases with complex aetiology involving genetic, immunological, and environmental factors and intestinal microbiota disorders. Mutations in genes such as NOD2, ATG16L1, IRGM, TLR4, and IL23R disrupt the functioning of the intestinal barrier and the immune response, increasing susceptibility to chronic inflammation. Recent studies indicate that interactions between diet, gene expression, and epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in modulating the course of IBD, e.g., DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA activity. The use of bioactive dietary components in combination with epigenome modulation is a promising tool in the treatment of IBD, enabling the reduction in chronic inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, and supporting the immune response.