Cedars-Sinai researchers have made a breakthrough in treating gut microbial overgrowth with the development of a novel nutritional formula called mBiota Elemental. This formula, a palatable elemental diet (PED), has shown promising results in reducing the abundance of key gut microbiome taxa and improving symptoms in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO).
The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, involved a prospective clinical trial with 30 adult participants diagnosed with SIBO, IMO, or both. All participants received a two-week course of mBiota Elemental PED, followed by a two-week period of regular food reintroduction. The results were impressive, with 73% of subjects experiencing normalized breath tests and 83% reporting adequate relief of symptoms.
The mBiota Elemental formula is an elemental diet, which is highly digestible and designed to provide complete nutrition with minimal stimulation of the digestive system. Elemental diets have been used in various gastrointestinal conditions, but their use in microbial overgrowth syndromes like SIBO and IMO is relatively new.
The study found that the mBiota Elemental formula led to significant reductions in exhaled methane and hydrogen levels, as well as a shift in fermentation geography in the gut. Stool microbiome analysis revealed a decrease in key microbial groups, and digital PCR analysis showed a reduction in Methanobrevibacter smithii levels.
Symptom tracking showed improvements in bloating, distention, abdominal discomfort, constipation, and flatulence during the PED phase, with additional symptoms improving during the food reintroduction phase. Adherence to the formula was high, with no serious adverse events reported.
The palatability of the mBiota Elemental formula was a key factor in the study’s success, overcoming a common barrier to elemental diet use. The improved taste, smell, and texture of the formula may make it more appealing for patients with microbial overgrowth syndromes.
Overall, the study suggests that a short-term course of mBiota Elemental could be an effective non-antibiotic dietary approach for managing SIBO and IMO. Further controlled trials are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and underlying mechanisms. This innovative nutritional formula offers hope for patients struggling with gut microbial overgrowth and provides a potential alternative to antibiotic therapy.
