Elemental Diet

WHAT IS AN ELEMENTAL DIET?

The Elemental Diet consists of predigested forms of macronutrients, no lactose or fiber, and vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes sufficient to meet the recommended dietary allowances. This diet is composed of easily digestible liquid and/or powder formulas to provide essential nutrition for those combating severe gastrointestinal issues.

The elemental formulas are meal replacement powders/liquids that contain an adequate daily caloric intake. The "predigested" nutrition is easily absorbed in the upper digestive tract, allowing the lower digestive tract to rest and recover from illness or injury. Elemental diet liquids contain nutrients in an easily digestible form. Typical formulations include:

• Essential and non-essential amino acids

• Glucose (an easily digested carbohydrate)

• Vitamins (fat- and water-soluble)

• Minerals

• Electrolytes

• Small amount of fat (less than 1%)

Elemental diets are almost totally absorbed in the small intestine. They provide dietary components in ready-to-assimilate form, without the need for digestion, thus bypassing the requirement for pancreatic and biliary secretion. This diet is meant to assist in gut healing and allow the gastrointestinal tract to rest.

HOW DOES AN ELEMENTAL DIET WORK?

An elemental diet is strictly made up of specialized powder formulas that are only to be consumed when mixed with water. No solid food is permitted on this diet. The formulas may be administered by drinking the liquid and are meant to be done for a short period of time (typically 2-8 weeks).

Oftentimes, this diet is prescribed and overseen by a medical professional. They choose a type of elemental diet formula and ensure that the caloric and nutrient needs of the individual patient are met.

There are cases of semi-elemental diets where the patient is given a portion of their daily needs through elemental formulas and the rest through solid foods. This option may be used to prepare a person for a complete elemental diet, to ease out of an elemental diet, or to give the gastrointestinal tract a break from constantly digesting.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ELEMENTAL DIET?

The use of elemental diets have been widely used for the management of various inflammatory gastroenterological diseases, food allergies, and gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth. Those who struggle with the following symptoms or conditions may benefit from an elemental diet:

• Crohn's Disease

• Dyspepsia

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD/IBS)

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

• Pancreatitis

PROS OF THE ELEMENTAL DIET:

Since these formulas are powder forms that are mixed into water, there are no food particles needed to be broken down in the gastrointestinal tract - this will reduce inflammation.

There are no prebiotics in the formula to feed unwanted bacteria.

The protein is not needed to be processed in the gut as it comes in the form of amino acids.

The gut is able to rest and regenerate as the formulas are healing and restoring.

Most elemental diets contain the amino acid l-glutamine. This amino acid aids in healing leaky gut syndrome.

TIPS FOR FOLLOWING AN ELEMENTAL DIET:

• Add ice to the blender for a smoothie-like experience.

• Store shakes in the refrigerator - cool shakes taste the best.

• Add MCT oil to the shakes - this is allowed! MCT oil is a component of elemental formulas and may help create fullness.

• Make a few meals worth of shakes a time to cut time making them.

• Plan to support your gut health when the elemental diet is over with whole foods, probiotics, leafy greens, minerals, etc.

• Medical supervision is advised for those following an elemental diet for more than 2 weeks.

WHAT DO I DO AFTER FOLLOWING AN ELEMENTAL DIET?

After you are finished with the elemental diet, start introducing light foods slowly. Some people do a semi-elemental diet for 1-7 days before introducing all meals as solid foods. If you jump back into eating heavy solid foods immediately, this may end in a temporary uncomfortable stomach!

If you are still suffering from gastrointestinal issues post-diet, it is important to consult a practitioner for further healing.