Homemade Elemental Diet to Treat Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

This case report documented the outcome of consuming a 14-day homemade elemental diet to normalize intestinal methanogen overgrowth. A prevention protocol after methanogen eradication was employed to prevent recurrence.

PRESENTING CONCERNS

The patient was a 47-year-old White female with intestinal methanogen overgrowth confirmed by lactulose breath testing.

THERAPEUTIC FOCUS AND ASSESSMENT

Therapeutic interventions consisted of the homemade elemental diet, carbohydrate modified diet, lifestyle modifications, pharmaceutical and herbal prokinetics, and a probiotic supplement.

FOLLOW-UP AND OUTCOMES: The homemade elemental diet was conducted for 14 days. The lactulose breath test results on day 15 indicated a reduction of methane levels from an average of 42 ppm to 3 ppm throughout the testing period (120 minutes). The standard prevention protocol of prokinetics, diet, and lifestyle were not effective at preventing relapse. A repeat lactulose breath test on day 122 was positive, with an average of 81 ppm methane. The elemental diet was repeated for 9 days, with fasting on day 10. The lactulose breath test on day 11 indicated a reduction of methane gas to an average of 23 ppm.

CONCLUSION

The homemade elemental diet resulted in a substantial reduction in methane and symptom resolution. It is another treatment option for patients with intestinal methanogen overgrowth.