Ketogenic and carnivore diets for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis
Tests two diets on symptoms and quality of life in adults with these conditions.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Ketogenic and Carnivore (Lion) Diets for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Key facts
- Where
- Charlottesville, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 64 years old?
Source: NCT07524244, who can take part
Where in United States
- Resilient Roots: Functional MedicineCharlottesville, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Fuller Research Foundation
- Trial code
- NCT07524244
- Record updated
- 5 October 2026
- Original description
This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating whether two therapeutic dietary approaches - a ketogenic diet and a carnivore (lion) diet - can improve quality of life, reduce symptoms, and influence measures of disease activity in adults with inflammatory bowel disease [ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease] (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Read full original descriptionShow less
Effectiveness and Efficacy of a Ketogenic or Carnivore (Lion) Diet for Quality Life and Symptom Burden in Individuals With Symptomatic Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating whether two therapeutic dietary approaches - a ketogenic diet and a carnivore (lion) diet - can improve quality of life, reduce symptoms, and influence measures of disease activity in adults with inflammatory bowel disease [ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease] (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Participants will be randomized into one of three groups: 1) Ketogenic Diet, 2) Carnivore (Lion) Diet or 3) Wait-List Control.
Participants randomized to a dietary group (ketogenic diet or carnivore diet) will be provided guidance on their specific dietary therapy and answer questions about their symptoms and quality of life at different intervals over a 24 week period. Participants will also complete laboratory testing at different intervals to assess for changes in nutritional status, cardiometabolic health and markers of immune activation and inflammation.
Participants initially placed on the wait-list group will be asked similar questions about their symptoms and quality of life and complete the same laboratory testing as participants in a dietary group. Participants on the wait list will then be compared to participants following a specific dietary pattern to assess for any differences between the 2 groups. After 12 weeks, participants on the wait list will be randomized to a dietary group (ketogenic diet or carnivore diet) and followed in a similar fashion for an additional 12 week period.
Inclusion: Diagnosed with medically verifiable IBD or medically verifiable RA; Current personal residence in the continental U.S; Willingness and ability to follow dietary protocols.
Exclusion: History of blood transfusion in the previous 6 months; On other medications outside of FDA approved medications; Unable to complete, for any reason, the initial 3-week run-in period prior to the beginning of the formal study intervention; Individuals with Type 1 or Type II Diabetes on prescription medications including insulin; History of strictures or fistula (IBD); Current initiation of disease modifying or biologic medication within the past 2 months; Organ failure of any kind including heart, liver and kidney failure or disease; History of malignancy within the last year prior to enrollment; Red meat allergy, alpha-gal allergy; Outside of the age or BMI criteria; Inability to provide consent; No medically definitive or verifiable diagnosis of IBD or RA; Pregnancy; 6 months Postpartum; Breastfeeding; Non-English Speaking.