Whole protein liquid diet in the treatment of acute uncomplicated Crohn's disease

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Abstract
Twelve patients with active, uncomplicated Crohn's disease were treated for four weeks with an exclusive, liquid ‘polymer’ diet (containing whole milk protein and long chain triglycerides) followed by the gradual re‐introduction of normal food over the following four weeks in an uncontrolled trial. Three other patients were excluded because they could not tolerate the regimen. Of the 12, eight showed considerable subjective benefit but in only four was this maintained following the re‐introduction of normal food. The other four patients failed to improve but did not deteriorate. In the group as a whole, there was a significant reduction in a disease activity index during the eight‐week period, accompanied by a significant fall in C‐reactive protein concentration in plasma and a significant rise in plasma prealbumin concentration during the first four weeks only. These temporary improvements are similar to those reported by others in response to elemental diets and to total parenteral nutrition, but the relapse rate was high and the time to relapse short following the re‐introduction of normal food. However, a few individuals obtained prolonged benefit and this treatment is feasible in well motivated out‐patients.