Nicotine and Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is largely referred to as a disease of non-smokers.
Former smokers are at the highest risk for developing ulcerative colitis, while current smokers have the least risk.
This tendency indicates that smoking cigarettes may prevent the onset of ulcerative colitis.
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Nicotine is also highly addictive, and many people who smoke cigarettes have difficulty quitting despite serious health risks.
It is theorized that the nicotine in cigarettes affects the smooth muscle inside the colon.
This effect may alter gut motility (the rate at which food material moves through the GI tract).
Nicotine and Crohn’s Disease
Smoking cigarettes actually has a detrimental effect on Crohn’s disease.
Study participants who had never smoked found the side effects particularly bothersome.
This new combination was effective in inducing remission in 12 of the 15 study participants.
Nicotine does not appear to be beneficial as maintenance therapy; it may not help patients stay in remission.
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