Try a two-stage eating plan guided by intestinal imaging tests

What is this trial?

This study uses a special imaging technology called confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) — a type of advanced microscope that works during a routine endoscopy — to identify which specific foods are damaging your intestinal lining. Then the study tests whether avoiding that food while switching to a Mediterranean plant-based diet can help heal your gut, reduce your symptoms, and improve your quality of life compared to diet changes alone.

Many people with Crohn's disease feel that certain foods trigger their symptoms, but doctors haven't been able to see exactly which foods are damaging the intestinal barrier until now. This imaging technology makes it possible for the first time to watch in real-time what happens to your gut lining when it encounters specific foods, so researchers can test whether avoiding those foods actually helps you feel better.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease for at least 6 months
you have experienced moderate to severe food-related or irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms for at least 3 months
your Crohn's disease medications have been stable (unchanged) for at least 3 months
you are able to stay at the study clinic as an inpatient during the treatment program
the imaging test (CLE) shows that a food is damaging your intestinal barrier

You likely don't qualify if…

you are currently experiencing a severe flare of Crohn's disease
you have a known severe allergic reaction to common foods being tested (eggs, soy, milk, yeast, or wheat)
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of serious substance abuse
you have taken antibiotics within the month before starting the study
you have other serious inflammatory or autoimmune conditions (such as celiac disease, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis)

What participation looks like

You will be admitted to a clinic in Bamberg, Germany for an inpatient treatment program. First, you'll have an endoscopy with special imaging technology that identifies which foods are disrupting your intestinal barrier. Then you'll participate in a two-stage nutritional program: one group will avoid the specific problematic food while following a Mediterranean plant-based diet, while the other group will follow the Mediterranean diet alone. The study involves about 30 participants total, and researchers will monitor how the diet changes affect your intestinal barrier health, symptoms, and overall quality of life.

Using special imaging to find and avoid foods that harm your gut

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)