Can a special diet help PSC patients? small study tests two options
NCT ID NCT04678219
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study looked at how two different diets affect people with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver disease. Twenty adults were randomly assigned to either a vegan/low-sulfur diet or the specific carbohydrate diet for 8 weeks, with support from dietitians. The main goal was to see if the diets changed the diversity of bacteria in the gut, and researchers also tracked liver enzyme levels.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
dietary intervention (vegan/low-sulfur diet or specific carbohydrate diet)
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could point toward a dietary approach that improves gut health and liver function in people with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It also relies on participants sticking to strict diets, which can be hard to maintain.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States