ABSTRACT

Elemental diets were used as a form of nutritional support in emaciated patients with Crohn's disease. It was noted that disease activity improved coincidentally, and with the realization that bowel rest by total parenteral nutrition or by fecal diversion also induced remission from active disease led to the suggestion by Voitk et al. in 1973 that elemental diets might be a primary therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Elemental diets have been compared with polymeric diets in acute Crohn's disease in three controlled trials with conflicting results. An elemental diet means food given in its simplest formulation: protein as amino acids, carbohydrates as glucose, and fat as short-chain triglycerides. An elemental diet reduces pancreatic, biliary, and intestinal secretions, is absorbed in the upper intestine, and is nonantigenic. Therefore, it could be more effective generally than polymeric diet in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Corticosteroids are the most effective treatment available for Crohn's disease.