Clinical remission of Crohn’s disease symptoms following the adoption of therapeutic carbohydrate reduction: A retrospective single case report

Abstract

Low-carbohydrate dietary approaches are increasingly explored as adjunctive strategies for Crohn’s disease (CD), particularly in patients who experience limitations or adverse effects with standard biologic therapies. Dietary intervention (DI) may offer a non-pharmacological option to support symptom control and remission. Evidence remains limited, particularly at the individual clinical level. This single-patient, retrospective case report describes an adult with established CD who initiated a therapeutic carbohydrate-restricted diet under clinical guidance. The intervention was implemented as part of ongoing disease management and followed longitudinally during routine care. Clinical outcomes were assessed through symptom patterns, medication use, and sustained follow-up over an extended observation period. Following initiation of the carbohydrate-restricted dietary approach, the patient achieved remission of gastrointestinal symptoms and progressively discontinued pharmacologic therapy. Symptom recurrence was temporally associated with lapses in dietary adherence and resolved promptly upon resumption of the intervention. Sustained adherence was related to continued symptom control and medication independence throughout follow-up. This case suggests that therapeutic carbohydrate reduction may support remission and medication discontinuation in select individuals with CD. The findings underscore the need for controlled clinical trials to evaluate the safety, durability and generalisability of DIs in inflammatory bowel disease. Dietary strategies may represent a complementary avenue for individualised disease management.