Does this starve all bacteria in the GI tract?Updated a month ago

The elemental diet does not starve all bacteria. It significantly reduces the populations of certain types—particularly those associated with bacterial overgrowth. Because elemental formulas are made of fully broken-down nutrients (amino acids, simple carbohydrates, and fats), they’re absorbed very early in the digestive tract, leaving little to no residue for bacteria to ferment further down in the gut. This creates a less hospitable environment in the small intestine for problematic bacteria. However, because the naturally occurring bacteria in the colon survives on the intestinal lining that our bodies naturally slough approximately every 5 days, this bacteria is still able to persist while on the elemental diet, helping to preserve balance of the natural microbiome.