Anyone tried the Elemental diet?

[Cynthia]

I have been having my ups and downs over the last four months trying to get some sort of handle on this darned LC. I went strictly gluten, dairy, egg, soy free after having the Enterolabs testing.
I still seem to be kind of all over the map with not yet achieving any day to day consistency, still way too much WD on a daily basis for my liking. Some good days, some really bad days and getting to a point where anything that goes in my mouth is cause for suspicion, and have gone from being a total foodie to dreading thinking about it. I have eaten so much turkey and potatoes, I kinda feel like turkey croquette!
I am wondering about the elemental diet as a way to completely rest and reset the bowel. Then reseed with probiotics. In the past I had some really good results after Rifaximin with a special blend of just the Bifida probiotics (I got them from Custom probiotics).
I can’t help but think that getting the inflammation down is job one, and so far I am failing at that so am looking at this rather drastic measure. Have been reading a lot of Jini Patel from Listen to your Gut and a lot of what she says resonates with me...plus her version of the food sounds not horrible...
Just wondering if others may have tried this approach and whether or not anyone has any insights. Thanks everyone!

[tex]

I've never tried that, but my thoughts are that it will depend on the ingredients in the diet. Most of those concoctions contain a list of complex chemical derivatives as long as your arm, and almost always, some of the ingredients are derived from dairy, soy, and even gluten. So my advice is to be sure the ingredients are all safe for you before attempting such a diet.

The problem with Rifaximin is that if it does help, it helps only for a week or two. Many members here have tried it, some many times, with no long-term success because the reason for the disruption in gut populations is the poor digestion caused by MC, so the gut reverts right back to that problem a week or two after the treatment with Rifaximin ends.

Tex

[Cynthia]

Thanks Tex,
Yes, one of the reasons I never considered the elemental diet in the past was exactly for that reason and that all reports were that compliance was so low because the formulas themselves were hideous in taste. This Jini Patel’s formula seems very well thought out, she has been careful to exclude all the big culprit allergens, and she sent me some samples to try first (I haven’t yet) just to make sure.
I was one of the few who did have some really good results with Rifaximin, I achieved a really solid year of remission, but it was in conjunction with some herbs to help take down the extreme overpopulation of bacteria and then following up with a special blend of only the bifida probiotics. Have been reading some more studies about that particular strain of probiotics and how there are some indications that they help to calm the bowel. I think they did do that for me in the past for sure, so it makes me more curious now, especially after seeing that Dr Fine is going down that path.
Another option would be to just flood the system with probiotics, of a certain kind, to see if that helps. Have heard of a few that have had positive results doing only that, would certainly be a cheaper experiment...so many options!
I will be having a virtual appointment with my naturopath in about a week, to see what he thinks, and to get his opinion on the high protein aspect of the diet, as I have to keep a careful eye on the kidney function (with only one) as well.
I will be sure to let everybody know what I decide to do in the end and whether or not any of it meets with any degree of success.

[KDarby]

How did this go for you? Where did you find Jini Patel’s version of the elemental diet and did you ever do it and what was your results? I am having flares here and there and I’m not sure what to attribute it to. Thinking of doing a shake diet bc it makes the most sense, as you said, for when inflammation is high. I’m just so unsure.

[Cynthia]

Hi K. Darby,

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted. In the end I just didn’t feel I could do the Elemental diet. I got some samples (Jini Patel and the actual Elemental Diet) and tried it out and realized that there was no way I would be able to do it, I felt pretty awful after the shakes, all the different types were so sweet. And the cost was prohibitive for me.
For me I came to the conclusion that I just needed to hit the inflammation with the big guns, I could not achieve any consistent results with diet alone, and I went whole hog there, I completely changed out my pantry and fridge after doing the sensitivity testing, and I was very strict.
I wound up going the traditional route and I went on Entocort (budesonide). I did 9mg for 11 weeks, 6mg for 11 weeks, 3 mg for 11 weeks and then I did every other day for a while and finally off. I decided on this long and slow taper to see if I could avoid a relapse. So far so good and I have my life back. I have remained gluten free, and mostly dairy free. I was able to reintroduce eggs, but with all foods I do monitor carefully and take breaks from certain ones. Salads are still not something I eat much of, but I have been able to branch out so much. Just hyper aware now, and some of my go to foods that I had to eat in the beginning, are strangely, still staples now.
I also realize how big a role stress plays in this disease, and that will always be challenge for me.
We are all different, and what works for one, may not work so well for another, but this forum gives so many different perspectives and is a great place to get ideas of things to try and great tips to mange through all this.
Wish you well for whatever you decide to do

[Gabes-Apg]

that is a fantastic update!!

i am so glad that you tamed the inflammation, you have an eating plan that is working - that will be a good foundation for long term wellness

the awareness of stress as a trigger is a big milestone. just like the eating plan once you have a routine that allows you to minimise stress, life is way better.

happy healing and thanks again for taking the time to provide the update

[Cynthia]

Thanks Gabes!
I know you have been involved for such a long time and it means a lot that you still always take the time to answer all the posts and always have something encouraging to add. It is a long old road with lots of twists and turns and ups and downs but with lots of hard work and always keeping an open mind to keep trying until you find things that work for you, we all can get to a place where we can manage this insidious disease. That is the hope!

[Eddy]

Can somebody tell me what us teh elemntal diet? And can help rifaximine?

With friendly regards

Eddy

[tex]

An elemental diet is a type of therapeutic diet that's used to provide complete and easily digestible nutrition for individuals with certain digestive disorders or conditions. It consists of pre-digested or elemental nutrients, such as amino acids, simple carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which are in a form that requires minimal digestion. Theoretically, this allows the digestive system to rest and heal while still providing essential nutrients for the body. Elemental diets are sometimes used for patients who have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. They're prescribed and supervised by healthcare professionals.

Elemental diets are usually claimed to be formulated to be hypoallergenic and free from common food allergens. However, check the specific product's ingredient list carefully, because formulations may vary. Some elemental diets may be safe, but some contain soy-based ingredients, casein-based ingredients, or even gluten-based ingredients. Be sure you read the ingredient list carefully, because the names of some ingredients can be deceiving.

A few MC patients have tried rifaxamin, and it sometimes helps for about 2 or 3 weeks, but after that, so far, everyone who's tried it has relapsed.

Tex