GI Nutrition & Gut Health 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which dietary pattern is most strongly associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer?
- High red meat, low fiber diet
- High fiber, plant-rich Mediterranean diet (Correct answer)
- High-protein, ketogenic diet
- Low-fat, high-simple-carbohydrate diet
Correct answer: High fiber, plant-rich Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet's high fiber, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory content is linked to significantly lower colorectal cancer incidence.
Question 2: Iron absorption from non-heme plant sources is significantly enhanced by concurrent intake of which substance?
- Calcium
- Phytates
- Vitamin C (Correct answer)
- Tannins
Correct answer: Vitamin C
Vitamin C reduces ferric iron to the more absorbable ferrous form and forms a soluble chelate that resists inhibitory factors.
Question 3: In short bowel syndrome, which macronutrient should be increased relative to fat to reduce osmotic diarrhea?
- Simple sugars
- Complex carbohydrates
- Fat (MCTs) (Correct answer)
- Protein
Correct answer: Fat (MCTs)
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are absorbed directly into the portal circulation without lymphatic processing, reducing steatorrhea.
Question 4: Which probiotic strain has the strongest evidence for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, including C. difficile-associated disease?
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Saccharomyces boulardii (Correct answer)
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Correct answer: Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast-based probiotic with robust evidence for reducing risk of antibiotic-associated and C. difficile diarrhea.
Question 5: Phytates found in legumes and whole grains act as antinutrients primarily by inhibiting the absorption of which minerals?
- Sodium and potassium
- Iron, zinc, and calcium (Correct answer)
- Vitamins B1 and B2
- Magnesium and phosphorus only
Correct answer: Iron, zinc, and calcium
Phytates chelate divalent cations including iron, zinc, and calcium, forming insoluble complexes that cannot be absorbed.
Question 6: A low-FODMAP diet is primarily used as a therapeutic intervention for which GI condition?
- Celiac disease
- Crohn's disease flares
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (Correct answer)
- Gastroparesis
Correct answer: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
The low-FODMAP diet reduces fermentable carbohydrates that trigger IBS symptoms such as bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits.
Question 7: Which fat-soluble vitamin requires bile salts for proper micellar solubilization and intestinal absorption?
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K (Correct answer)
- Vitamin B6
Correct answer: Vitamin K
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and require bile salt-mediated micelle formation for absorption in the small intestine.
GI Nutrition & Gut Health 3
Which dietary pattern is most strongly associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer?