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\n <\/figure>\n\u201cEverybody wants to find a way to reset the gut microbiome, and this is the closest we\u2019ve gotten so far,\u201d Ali Rezaie, MD, <\/b>MSc, <\/b>medical director of the GI motility program and associate professor at Cedars-Sinai, told Healio.<\/p>\n
Rezaie and colleagues conducted a post hoc analysis of a prospective trial to assess the impact of a 2-week exclusive palatable oral elemental diet (mBiota Elemental, GoodLFE) on abdominal-related issues in patients with IBS. The diet is an allergen-free, nutritionally complete liquid formulation.<\/p>\n
Analysis included 22 patients (mean age, 46 years; 76% women) who met Rome IV criteria for IBS, of whom 13 (59%) had mixed-type IBS, five (23%) had constipation-predominant IBS and four (18%) had diarrhea-dominant IBS.<\/p>\n
Patients completed a 1-week baseline screening period, transitioned to the 2-week exclusive palatable elemental diet and reintroduced their regular diet for another 2 weeks. They assessed IBS symptoms via daily electronic diaries.<\/p>\n
Researchers defined responders as those who achieved at least a 30% reduction from baseline in the weekly average of worst daily abdominal pain, discomfort, distention or bloating at week 5.<\/p>\n
Most patients (82%) reported a 30% or greater improvement in at least one symptom. Notably, 73% reported at least a 30% reduction in abdominal pain, a finding Rezaie called \u201ca pleasant surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went in thinking it was going to come back as maybe 40% to 50% maximum,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reason why is, that\u2019s pretty much what we have seen in phase 2 and phase 3 trials with medications. We didn\u2019t expect this high of a number. That\u2019s not a usual thing we see in IBS.\u201d<\/p>\n
Furthermore, 64% of participants reported experiencing pain improvement of at least 40%, and 50% reported a pain improvement of at least 50%.<\/p>\n
Nearly two-thirds (64%) reported at least 30% improvement in abdominal discomfort and distention, and 59% reported a 30% improvement in bloating.<\/p>\n
Many questions remain, Rezaie said, and larger prospective studies are needed to determine efficacy and long-term durability of response, as well as studies that assess mechanistic factors contributing to response in this patient population.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we knew that [the diet] would be this effective, we would have done this clinical trial much longer to see how long these effects last,\u201d Rezaie said. \u201cI\u2019m also very interested in, why is it working so well? Is it the modulation of the microbiome? Is it because of known anti-inflammatory properties of elemental diet? It doesn\u2019t have food additives, it doesn\u2019t have sweeteners. Maybe just giving the gut a rest from all those additives for 2 weeks is helping patients.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information:<\/h2>\n
Ali Rezaie, MD,<\/b> MSc,<\/b> <\/b>can be reached at ali.rezaie@csmc.edu.<\/p>\n\n
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Published by:<\/span>
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Sources\/Disclosures<\/h3>\n Source: <\/h2>\n
Rezaie A, et al. Abdominal pain response to a two-week exclusive palatable elemental diet in irritable bowel syndrome: Post hoc analysis of a prospective trial. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; May 2-5, 2026; Chicago.<\/p>\n
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\n Disclosures: <\/strong>
\n Rezaie reports consulting for Alimentiv, Ardelyx, Bausch Health, Blueprint Medicines and Hobbs Medical; serving on the speakers\u2019 bureau for Bausch Health; and having stock ownership in Alimetry and equity interest in Gemelli and GoodLFE. Please see the study for all other authors\u2019 relevant financial disclosures.
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