Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is an inflammatory disorder in which white blood cells called eosinophils infiltrate the GI tract. The pathogenesis for this disease is not clear, but food allergens are thought to trigger and aggravate the disorder.
I came across a case study today in which a 22-year-old woman with steroid-dependent EGE was referred to the study’s authors for a food-elimination diet. The 6-food elimination diet eliminates 6 food groups: wheat, milk, eggs, nuts, soy, and seafood. Each group is reintroduced one at a time. In this case, the young woman’s symptoms were triggered by dairy products and eggs. She was able to cease steroid use after completing the elimination diet (Okimoto et al., 2018).
An elimination diet can reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ADHD. It can improve skin conditions like eczema and may reduce chronic migraines. Following an elimination diet for more than a few weeks can lead to nutrient deficiencies and should be followed under the supervision of a doctor.
Reference:
Okimoto, E., Ishimura, N., Okada, M., Mikami, H., Sonoyama, H., Ishikawa, N., . . . Kinoshita, Y. (2018). Successful Food-Elimination Diet in an Adult with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis. ACG Case Reports Journal, 5(1). doi:10.14309/crj.2018.38
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