Lack of eligible and interested patients

This pilot study is being completed to determine whether a low-serine diet vs a high serine diet will reduce inflammation and symptoms in Crohn's disease (CD), as well as determine whether a low-serine diet (vs. a high serine diet) will improve responses in patients initiating therapy with Ustekinumab (Stelara), an FDA-approved biologic therapy for Crohn's disease.

Eligible participants that will be given Ustekinumab as part of their standard of care will be enrolled in this study.

The study hypotheses include that a low serine diet (compared to a high serine diet) in patients with active CD will:

• Reduce the relative abundance of Adherent invasive ecoli (AIEC), and increase the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium in stool of patients with Crohn's disease.
• Make patients more likely to respond to ustekinumab (anti-Interleukin12/23) therapy with control of inflammation as measured by the mean Simple endoscopic subscore Crohn's disease (SES-CD) in each group at week 25.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's Disease (CD) for at least 3 months prior to baseline. Appropriate documentation of biopsy results consistent with the diagnosis of CD, as determined by the investigator.
• Simple endoscopic subscore Crohn's disease (SES-CD) ≥ 7 for ileocolonic CD (or >=4 if only ileal CD) as confirmed by Dr. Higgins' scoring of colonoscopy.
• Are scheduled to begin Ustekinumab within the next 7-60 days
• Must be scheduled for clinically indicated colonoscopy, ordered by primary Gastroenterologist physician, and covered by insurance
• Must have access to a computer capable of completing video visits
• Must be willing to follow assigned meat-free diet provided by the study exclusively for 2 weeks
• Patients on anti-diarrheals must be on a stable dose for at least 2 weeks
• Prednisone is allowed up to a daily dose of 20 mg, with a stable dose for at least 1 week

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject with a current diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis
• Subjects requiring or receiving any Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and/or exclusive enteral nutrition.
• Subjects who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant over the duration of the study
• Antibiotics in the previous 2 weeks.
• Probiotics in the previous 2 weeks.
• Ongoing therapy with infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, vedolizumab, or tofacitinib, is not allowed - must stop at least 1 week prior to ustekinumab start.
• Changes in dose of 5-aminosalicylates within the past 1 week - must be on a stable dose for at least one week.
• Changes in dose of immunomodulators (including Azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate) within the past 4 weeks - must be on a stable dose for 4 weeks.
• Subjects with the following known complications of CD; Toxic megacolon, Short bowel syndrome or short gut (less than 100 centimeters, Ostomy, Symptomatic bowel strictures (scope cannot be passed through), any diagnosis that could interfere with nutrient absorption, note that actively draining fistulas are allowed at entry.
• Diabetes
• Subjects who use dietary supplements such as liquid or powder protein drinks/shakes, meal replacement shakes, and fiber supplements, etc. must be willing to stop at least 24 hours prior to starting the assigned diet
• Known allergy to soy products
• Oral Iron must be stopped at least 24 hours prior to baseline
• For severe anemia, intravenous (IV) iron can replace oral iron if approved and ordered by the prescribing physician
• Any subject currently hospitalized
• Any subject with a positive Clostridium difficile test (within 30 days of baseline) or currently being treated for Clostridium difficile.
• History of clinically significant medical condition or any other reason which, in the opinion of the PI, would interfere with the subject's participation
• Any active, chronic or recurrent infection that, based on the investigator's clinical assessment, makes the subject an unsuitable candidate for the study.