Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-10-2026
Abstract
Background and aims: This pilot randomized controlled-feeding trial compared the effect of Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Mediterranean diet (MeD) in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).
Methods: Seventeen adults were randomized to a 6-week SCD (n = 8) or MeD (n = 9) intervention. Primary outcome was change in partial Mayo Clinic score (pMCS).
Results: The study was discontinued early due to significant dropout (n = 9, 52.9%). There was no significant between-group differences observed for pMCS change (SCD, -0.8; MeD, -1.3; p = 0.499) or secondary outcomes. Exploratory metagenomic analysis revealed enrichment of Parasutterella excrementihominis in SCD at week 10.
Conclusion: In this pilot trial, SCD and MeD showed no difference in therapeutic effects for patients with mild to moderate UC. However, the study was limited by a significant drop out in both arms.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04398550.
Recommended Citation
Chen, Albert Sheng-Yin; Nguyen, Long; Gray, Brianna; Williams, Katherine; Gurung, Jenny; Canha, Lauren; McGoldrick, Jessica; Hubbard, Jane; and Khalili, Hamed, "Specific Carbohydrate Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet in Adult Patients With Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled-Feeding Trial" (2026). Student Papers, Posters & Projects. Paper 215.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/student_papers/215
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Language
English
Comments
This article, first published by Frontiers Media, is the author’s final published version in Frontiers in Nutrition, Volume 13, 2026, Article number 1838160.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1838160. Copyright © 2026 Chen, Nguyen, Gray, Williams, Gurung, Canha, McGoldrick, Hubbard and Khalili.