Crohn's disease: fasting-mimicking diet may reduce gut inflammation

A study led by Sidhartha R. Sinha reports that a fasting-mimicking diet was associated with lower fecal calprotectin and reductions in several inflammation-related blood and immune markers; some participants reported fatigue or headache while no serious side effects were reported.

Researchers led by Sidhartha R. Sinha studied a fasting-mimicking diet in people with Crohn's disease to see whether it affects inflammation and clinical outcomes. The study built on earlier work showing that the diet can lower C-reactive protein in people with elevated inflammation. Investigators collected blood and stool samples and tracked clinical response and remission. Some participants in the fasting-mimicking group reported fatigue and headache, and no serious side effects were reported. Key findings: - Fecal calprotectin, a stool marker of gut inflammation, declined significantly in the fasting-mimicking group compared with the control group. - Certain inflammation-promoting lipid mediators derived from fatty acids declined among participants who followed the fasting-mimicking diet. - Immune cells from fasting-mimicking group participants produced fewer types of inflammatory molecules. - The study team reported some participants experienced fatigue and headache but noted no serious adverse events. - Researchers collected multiple biospecimens and are examining whether changes in the gut microbiome help explain the observed effects. Summary: The trial reported biological signs consistent with reduced gut inflammation in participants assigned to the fasting-mimicking diet. Investigators are continuing laboratory analyses of blood, stool and microbiome samples to better understand the mechanisms and to look for signatures that might predict who responds. Further research was described as necessary to determine the clinical implications of these biological changes.