REDUCTION OF GASTROINTESTINAL PROTEIN LOSS BY ELEMENTAL DIET IN CROHNS-DISEASE OF THE SMALL BOWEL

Seven patients with hypoalbuminemia and extensive jejunoileal Crohn''s disease were treated with an elemental diet for 28-56 days. Over this time there was an increase in total plasma proteins and a mean rise in serum albumin (P < 0.05). There was a 47% mean reduction in plasma protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract and a rise in blood lymphocyte count in all patients (P < 0.05). As well as providing nutritional support, elemental diets apparently reduce protein and lymphocyte loss from the diseased intestine.