Fasting without fasting: diet mimicry may ease colitis symptoms
NCT ID NCT03615690
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a special 5-day diet that mimics fasting can lower inflammation and improve quality of life in people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Participants will follow the diet for three cycles while researchers track symptom changes. The goal is to see if this safe, food-based approach can be a simple way to manage UC.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 75 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2020
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Mild to moderate Ulcerative Colitis on the partial Mayo Score out of 9 (score between 2 to 7) * Age of 18-70 at start of study (inclusive) Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are pregnant or nursing or expect to be pregnant * Individuals allergic to nuts * Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) lower than 18 * Individuals diagnosed with a serious medical condition as defined by the patient's physician, unless approved in writing by a physician * Individuals who have been severely weakened by a disease or medical procedure, * Individuals who are taking medication which may not be safely consumed with a calorie restricted diet * Individuals with diabetes who are taking anti-diabetic drugs associated with risk of hypoglycemia * Individuals with more than mild-moderate cardiovascular disease or life-threatening cancer (as determined by patient's physician) unless approved by a physician * Individuals with history of severe cardiac disease (particularly uncompensated congestive heart failure NYHA grade 2 or more or LVEF \< 40%) * Individuals with a history of syncope * Individuals with dietary needs incompatible with the FMD meal plan * Individuals with liver or kidney disorders that may be affected by very low glucose and protein content of the diet. * Patients on a caloric restricted diet will also be excluded. * Patients with relevant prior gastrointestinal surgery and consequences such as short bowel syndrome, ostomy of small or large intestine, hemi- or total colectomy, proctocolectomy, ileoanal pouch will be excluded.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford University
RECRUITINGPalo Alto, California, 94305, United States
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