Maintained Visceral and Total Body Fat Loss Following Elemental Diet

Presented at FNM 2024 | Read the full study

Overview

Visceral fat, the fat surrounding internal organs, is used to store energy and protect organs, but in excess it is associated with health risks, including insulin resistance and high blood pressure. A two-week course of the mBIOTA Elemental diet in 30 adults diagnosed with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and/or Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), followed by a return to their regular diet for two weeks reduced visceral fat area. Body composition, including total body fat and visceral fat, was measured at baseline, week 2, and week 4.

Results

The mBIOTA diet produced significant reductions in body fat with minimal loss of lean mass. Key outcomes included:

• Body weight: 5% reduction at week 2, sustained 4% reduction at week 4
• Visceral fat area: 9.6% reduction at week 2, reaching 11.2% at week 4
• Total body fat: Significant reductions maintained after returning to a regular diet

These results indicate that fat loss, particularly visceral fat, was sustained beyond the diet period, supporting lasting improvements in body composition.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the potential of mBIOTA Elemental as a therapeutic approach for patients managing GI disorders. By promoting non-sarcopenic fat loss—reducing harmful visceral fat while preserving lean mass—the diet may improve gut health, reduce systemic inflammation, and support overall metabolic function. This underscores mBIOTA’s promise as a safe, effective option for nutritional management in GI care, reinforcing the role of targeted dietary strategies in improving patient outcomes.