FishGastro Study: Fish Consumption and Gastro-Intestinal Health

Inclusion Criteria:

Ulcerative Colitis Patient Group (Group 1):

* Aged 18 - 80
* Male or female
* Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
* Attending gastroenterology clinic for routine colonoscopy check-up
* Willing to increase dietary intake of fish for six months
* Willing to undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy examination

Polyps/Resection Group (Group 2):

* Aged 18 - 80
* Male or female
* A history of polyps in the colon
* Attending gastroenterology clinic for routine colonoscopy check-up
* Willing to increase dietary intake of fish for six months
* Willing to undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy examination

Control Group (Group 3):

* Aged 18 - 80
* Male or female
* Booked for a colonoscopy examination for the investigation of iron deficiency anaemia of unknown cause (no evidence of macroscopic disease found during examination)
* Willing to increase dietary intake of fish for six months
* Willing to undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy examination

Exclusion Criteria:

Ulcerative Colitis Patient Group (Group 1) and Polyps/Resection Group (Group 2):

* Allergic to fish
* Receiving anticoagulant therapy
* Diabetics
* Pregnant or breast-feeding
* Organ transplant recipients receiving immunosuppression therapy
* Prosthetic heart valve
* Allergic to pethidine
* Previous diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis

Control Group (Group 3):

Same as Groups 1 and 2 plus:

* Received a diagnosis of colorectal cancer following initial investigative colonoscopy (volunteer will be withdrawn from the study when diagnosed as requiring treatment)
* Received a diagnosis of coeliac disease following initial investigative colonoscopy (volunteer will be withdrawn from the study when diagnosed as requiring a modified diet)