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A recent investigation conducted by Cedars-Sinai has explored the potential benefits of a specialized diet in alleviating symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorders that arise from gut microbiota imbalances.
The study specifically focused on the effectiveness of an elemental diet and assessed whether modifications to its typically unappealing flavor could enhance patient adherence to the rigorous dietary demands. The findings were shared in the reputable journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The elemental diet is a unique low-fat liquid formulation designed to be easily digestible while providing all essential nutrients required for a balanced diet. Previous research has indicated that this diet may alleviate severe symptoms related to digestive disorders such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO), Crohn’s disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and other gastrointestinal conditions. The efficacy of the diet is thought to stem from its ability to reduce inflammation, support a balanced gut microbiome, enhance gut lining repair, and deliver complete nutrition. Despite these advantages, adherence to the elemental diet has historically been low due to its strict regimen and off-putting taste.
SIBO and IMO are conditions characterized by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria or methane-producing organisms in the gut. While antibiotics are frequently employed to combat these issues, they are not always successful.
“The goal of elemental diets is to provide a respite for the digestive system through easily absorptive nutrients,” explained Ali Rezaie, MD, who served as the study’s corresponding author and is the medical director of the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai. “This approach alleviates strain on the gut, facilitating healing and improved functionality.”
In the study, 30 adults aged 18 to 85 with diagnoses of SIBO or IMO adhered to an improved-tasting elemental diet for two weeks. After this, participants returned to their standard diets for another two weeks. The researchers evaluated adjustments within the gut microbiome, tolerability of the diet, relief from symptoms, as well as breath test outcomes, alongside monitoring any side effects experienced.
The findings were optimistic: most participants reported positive tolerability with no significant adverse effects. A notable outcome was the reduction of detrimental microbes linked to gastrointestinal issues, and methane levels in many participants returned to baseline levels.
Additionally, 83% of the participants experienced an improvement in symptoms, particularly a decrease in bloating and discomfort. These results imply that a more palatable version of the elemental diet may effectively restore gut balance and alleviate the symptoms associated with SIBO and IMO.
“The encouraging results from this study indicate that making the elemental diet more enjoyable could enhance its accessibility and practicality for patients, potentially improving adherence and overall quality of life for those facing difficulties with conventional treatments,” remarked Mark Pimentel, MD, a co-author of the study and executive director of the MAST Program at Cedars-Sinai.
Rezaie and his research team plan to conduct more extensive studies to further investigate the long-term impacts of elemental diets while also addressing socioeconomic obstacles that may affect patient access.
Additional authors from Cedars-Sinai include: Bianca W. Chang, Juliana de Freitas Germano, Gabriela Leite, Ruchi Mathur, Krystyna Houser, Ava Hosseini, Daniel Brimberry, Mohamad Rashid, Sepideh Mehravar, MJ Villanueva-Millan, Maritza Sanchez, Stacy Weitsman, Cristina M. Fajardo, Ignacio G. Rivera, LiJin Joo, Yin Chan, and Gillian M. Barlow.
Funding for this study was partially provided by a research grant from Good LFE and the John and Geraldine Cusenza Foundation. These sponsors did not influence the study’s design or the processes for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
Conflict of interest: Mark Pimentel, MD, serves as a consultant for Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Salvo Health, Dieta Health, and Cylinder Health, Inc, and has received grants from Bausch Health, as well as having equity in Gemelli Biotech, Salvo Health, Cylinder Health, and Good LFE. Ali Rezaie, MD, is also a consultant/speaker for Bausch Health and holds equity in Gemelli Biotech and Good LFE. Cedars-Sinai maintains licensing agreements with Hobbs Medical and Gemelli Biotech.
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