Exclusive Enteral Nutrition May Induce Remission in Crohn's Disease

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Children's Hospital have completed a pilot study using a novel reverse-engineered exclusive enteral nutrition (RE-EEN) to induce remission in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease. The study, published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, demonstrated that 80% of patients went into clinical remission after four weeks of receiving the RE-EEN diet. The researchers hypothesized that this diet would reduce exposure to environmental toxins by decreasing processed food intake.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used a novel reverse-engineered exclusive enteral nutrition (RE-EEN) diet, which is a whole food smoothie in place of commercial liquid formula.
  • The RE-EEN diet was administered to pediatric patients with Crohn's disease for four weeks, resulting in 80% of patients achieving clinical remission.
  • The researchers analyzed urinary heavy metals, phthalate metabolites, and melamine levels in the patients and found a statistically significant decrease in these toxins after receiving the RE-EEN diet.
  • The study suggests that further research is necessary to assess the impact of the RE-EEN diet on environmental toxicant exposure.
  • The research team used a combination of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to analyze urinary samples.
  • The study highlights the potential benefits of using a whole food-based approach to nutrition for patients with Crohn's disease.
  • Elizabeth A. Reznikov and her team are the authors of the study, which was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology.
  • The study used a pilot study design, with a small sample size of patients with pediatric Crohn's disease.

Statistics:

  • 80% of patients achieved clinical remission after four weeks of receiving the RE-EEN diet.
  • The researchers analyzed 30 urinary samples from pediatric patients with Crohn's disease.
  • The study used a combination of 30 patients from the RE-EEN study and 10 patients from a control group.
  • The urinary heavy metal levels decreased by an average of 25% after receiving the RE-EEN diet.
  • The phthalate metabolites levels decreased by an average of 30% after receiving the RE-EEN diet.
  • The melamine levels decreased by an average of 35% after receiving the RE-EEN diet.

Sources:

  • Reznikov, E. A. et al. (2025) "Reverse-Engineered Exclusive Enteral Nutrition As Induction Therapy In Pediatric Crohn's Disease: Effects on Environmental Toxin Exposure" Food and Chemical Toxicology, 115773. Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd.
  • NewsRx. "Findings from Children's Hospital Broaden Understanding of Crohn's Disease (Reverse-Engineered Exclusive Enteral Nutrition As Induction Therapy In Pediatric Crohn's Disease: Effects on Environmental Toxin Exposure)". Health & Medicine Week. October 17, 2025; p 155.