A new study from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center investigated whether a special diet could improve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders associated with imbalanced gut microbiota.
The study tested the effectiveness of an elemental diet and explored whether improving its unappealing taste, a major barrier, could help patients adhere to the diet’s strict rules. The researchers’ findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
The elemental diet is a special, low-fat, liquid formula that is easy to digest and contains all the essential nutrients needed for a healthy diet. Some previous studies have shown that the diet has the potential to improve troublesome symptoms associated with digestive issues such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO), Crohn’s disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and other intestinal disorders. The diet may work by reducing inflammation, balancing the gut microbiota, repairing the gut lining, and providing complete nutrition without additives and allergens that often irritate the gut. Historically, elemental diets have had low compliance rates because of their strict protocols and unpleasant taste.
SIBO and IMO typically occur when harmful bacteria or methanogens grow out of control in the gut. While antibiotics are commonly used to treat these conditions, they are not always effective.
“An elemental diet is designed to give the digestive system a rest by providing easily absorbed nutrients,” said the study’s corresponding author Ali Rezaie, MD, medical director of the GI Motility Program and director of bioinformatics for Cedars-Sinai’s Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program. “This can reduce stress on the gut and help it heal and function better.”
For the study, 30 adults aged 18 to 85 diagnosed with SIBO or IMO followed a strict, more palatable elemental diet for two weeks. The study participants then returned to their normal diet for the next two weeks. The researchers analyzed changes in the gut microbiome, dietary tolerance, symptom relief, and breath test results, and tracked any side effects.
The results were encouraging. Most participants reported that they tolerated the diet well, with no serious side effects. A key finding was a reduction in adverse microbes associated with gut issues. Methane levels also dropped significantly, returning to normal for many.
In addition, 83% of participants reported feeling better, with significant relief of common symptoms such as bloating and discomfort. These findings suggest that a more palatable elemental diet can help restore gut balance and alleviate SIBO and IMO symptoms.
“The positive results from this study suggest that improving the palatability of an elemental diet could make it more acceptable and practical for patients, thereby improving compliance and quality of life for those who face significant challenges with conventional therapies,” said study author Mark Pimentel, MD, executive director of the MAST program at Cedars-Sinai.
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