Mix one packet with 8–12 oz. of water, depending on your taste preference. Use less water for a stronger flavor or more water for a milder flavor. To maintain the elemental nature of the shake, mix with water only.

Add one packet to water in a 16 oz. or larger container. Room-temperature water helps the powder dissolve more easily. Cover tightly and shake for 45–60 seconds, or until completely dissolved. You can also use a traditional blender.

It really depends on your personal preference - some people sip continuously all day (make a new shake every time they finish one but are just sipping slowly throughout the day). Others scheduled “meals” every 2-4 hours. It’s really about what finding what works for you, but it's important to stay ahead of any sensations of hunger. We recommend taking at least 30 minutes to drink each one - drinking faster or chugging could result in bloating or discomfort (much like with any liquid).

Always consult with your health care provider before beginning any elemental diet as your nutritional needs may vary, however when being used as sole source nutrition, no additional foods or liquids (aside from water) are consumed in order to allow your system to rest and reset. mBIOTA Elemental is designed to deliver all your necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Plain, unsweetened and unflavored seltzer or sparkling water may also be consumed, but please be mindful of any bloating or discomfort that could result from the carbonation.

Depending on the condition you are managing, mBIOTA Elemental can also be used as supplemental nutrition, or used to replace only a few meals each day. It's best to consult with your health care provider about the appropriate use of the elemental diet for your particular needs and diagnoses.

Initially, in the first few days, your body may push out residual waste that has been stored in your colon. Around days 6-7, some people experience yellow or green diarrhea - this is a good sign! It indicates that the intestines are naturally shedding their lining, which happens every five days but is usually unnoticed in a regular diet. This is part of the body's natural GI reset process and an indication that the diet is working as intended. 

Mild diarrhea is common on this diet. During our 2023 Clinical Trial, patients experienced less frequent but looser bowel movements. Their bowel movements returned to a normal consistency - and even improved after the elemental diet. The percentage of normal bowel movements increased from 56% before the elemental diet to 71% 2 weeks after completing the elemental diet. 

Fewer bowel movements while on the elemental diet is also normal. The diet itself does not cause constipation, but can slow down bowel function as the GI tract rests and little to no waste byproduct is created. This is normal and generally no cause for concern. Miralax offers an over-the-counter remedy for constipation that is not contraindicated while on the elemental diet. As always, listen to your body, and if feeling any overwhelming discomfort, please discontinue the diet and consult your health care provider.

Generally, we advise that you stick to just the shakes and water when following the exclusive protocol. One cup of plain black coffee or tea, no creamers or sweeteners (including non-nutritive sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia) is allowed. As your body acclimates to the diet, it will be more susceptible to caffeine and the amount you may have tolerated on Day 1 will not be as well tolerated on Day 5 for example. As always, please consult with your health care professional.

It is important to remember that every patient's experience using mBIOTA Elemental can be different, and it is often difficult to determine whether any side effects are the result of the elemental diet, bacterial die-off, or the original GI condition itself. In general, some patients report feelings of fatigue or brain fog, as well as an increase in diarrhea (usually green or yellow in color). These symptoms can be attributed to bacterial die-off and are generally an indication that the product is working as intended.

The timing of these experiences varies from person to person. Symptoms can appear as early as days 3-5, or as late as days 6-8, and in many cases, it is possible to feel worse before you begin to feel better on the diet. This is considered entirely normal.

However, please follow up with your health care provider if you feel any discomfort.

We do have several patients who do the elemental diet following a course of antibiotics. While, in general, there is no particular amount of time you need to wait before beginning the elemental diet, we do recommend double-checking with your health care provider based on your individual needs and diagnosis. We also generally do not recommend using antibiotics and an elemental diet at the same time, unless otherwise instructed by your health care provider.

We recommend that you discuss your specific medications and situation with your health care provider to ensure safety and efficacy during your use of the elemental diet. While most medications are generally compatible with the mBIOTA Elemental diet, please be sure to discuss this with your health care provider prior to starting the diet, particularly if any of your medications are required to be taken with food.

We've compiled a list of helpful tips on how to return to solid foods in a way that should help you sustain balance of your gut microbiome and work to reduce the chances of a future flare-up. 

Please note, if using the elemental diet as your sole source of nutrition, your stomach size will shrink over the course of the two-week period - it is recommended to eat smaller portions initially to avoid any feelings of discomfort.

For ongoing maintenance, we recommend the Low Fermentation Eating (LFE) diet created by Dr. Mark Pimentel and Dr. Ali Rezaie.

Click here to learn more about transitioning back to food, and download our comprehensive 7-day return to food guide.