Clinical trial: novel nutritional formula treats gut microbial overgrowth

This is an elemental diet, which is not new. An elemental diet uses amino acids, fats, sugars, and vitamins to provide the elements of a human diet (hence the name) without whole or partial proteins, fiber, and other things that gut bacteria like to eat. The bacterial overgrowth subsides because you’re not giving it the food it wants. This means you can’t eat anything other than this diet mix for 2 weeks, no exceptions.

The only novel part about this branded one is that it’s palatable. That’s actually a big advantage because a plain elemental diet tastes so bad that it’s hard to tolerate.

You can search for DIY elemental diet recipes and there are several sources for the amino acid blends they use. People report some success, if they can tolerate the taste.

I actually followed this specific elemental diet for two weeks to treat my hydrogen SIBO, unfortunately without success. I would not recommend this to anybody unless it's absolutely your last chance. I was constantly hungry, cold and lethargic. The shakes taste /terrible/ so I wouldn't really call it palatable. I shiver just thinking about it. I'm sure it works for some people, and I'm happy for them.

Here are the ingredients: https://mbiota.com/cdn/shop/files/OriginalFlavor-Nutrition.p...

Study design:

Eligible subjects underwent 1 week of screening, 2 weeks of exclusive oral PED, and 2 weeks of follow-up after returning to their regular diet (Supplemental Figure 1). The primary endpoint was the change in stool microbiome after PED and regular food reintroduction. Secondary endpoints included tolerance, LBT normalization rate, stool form changes, symptomatic response, and adverse events. The PED (mBiota Elemental, Good LFE, Santa Monica, USA) was provided in 300-calorie packets, adjusted eucalorically to each participant’s caloric needs (Supplemental Figure 2).

Additional packets were provided for hunger, with daily consumption documented. Water intake was unrestricted, but other foods were prohibited during the diet phase. After completing the diet, participants transitioned to bland foods (e.g., rice, potatoes, eggs, chicken, beef) for 2–3 days before resuming their regular diet.

Presumably fasting would achieve the same result?

I wonder if a water only fast would also work.

Journal pre-proof (pdf) https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(25)00241-1/pdf

If anyone is willing, please help me understand, not why, but how someone can subsist on a diet with zero fiber. I know folks who can sit down to a plate of nothing more than white rice and meat without petrifying their backside. If I tried to do the same, I'd be using solvents and chipping hammers every morning. Have I missed something? Is this a 99% absorption rate diet? Where does it go?

Quite amazing success rate for just two weeks of treatment when the alternative is doing multiple rounds of antibiotics for months/years and not even getting that level of success.

~350$ per week if you want to buy it.

Pretty sure carnivore or some other no-fiber low carb would be a bit cheaper :)

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