Can a special diet calm your gut? new study tests food as medicine for Crohn's and colitis
NCT ID NCT02412553
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether two special diets—the specific carbohydrate diet or an elemental (liquid) diet—can help people with active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis feel better. Forty adults will choose one diet and follow it for 6 weeks, while researchers track symptoms, inflammation, and gut bacteria changes. The goal is to see if diet alone can bring the disease under control.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
specific carbohydrate diet or elemental diet (enteral nutrition)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a dietary approach to manage Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis without relying solely on medication.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early study with only 40 people and no placebo group, so results may not apply widely. Diets can be hard to follow long-term, and the effect on disease may be modest or temporary.
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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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States