The elementary diet is a liquid diet regimen, which can be followed immediately after a period of a semi-elementary diet. It is a diet that involves the use of nutritionally complete liquid meals replacement, and which must be followed for no less than two weeks and a maximum of three.

It is indicated in all those cases in which our digestive problems have not been resolved with drugs, and in particular if we suffer from intestinal dysbiosis, SIBO or bacterial overgrowth syndrome, leaky gut or malabsorption syndrome, irritable bowel. The elementary diet is also used in cases of chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive system, such as Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

ELEMENTARY DIET: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

The elementary diet is difficult to follow mainly for two reasons. The first is that you don’t eat solid foods. The second is that after the first 3-4 days, so-called die-off symptoms may occur .
The die-off or Herxheimer reaction is an exacerbation of the initial symptoms , combined with other symptoms such as headache, lack of energy, fever, migraines. Basically, it appears that some types of pathogenic bacteria or fungi become more aggressive at the start of therapy, only to be neutralized once treatment is continued. In particular, it is often found in people suffering from candida. Therefore it is not certain that it can happen to you.

Another small disadvantage is that especially the first week, let’s say of adaptation, it is good to stay at home or take some holidays.

Aside from these two disadvantages, the elementary diet offers numerous benefits. After the first few days of adaptation, the belly deflates, digestion improves, and we also tend to lose weight if this is linked to abdominal swelling and the accumulation of liquids and waste. The resolution of intestinal problems is higher than with antibiotic therapy. This is because on the one hand the excessive production of intestinal lactic acid is reduced, on the other hand the production of cytokines that trigger inflammation is reduced ( source ). Let’s see how to do the elementary diet.