Effects of an Amino Acid Mixture on Gastrointestinal Function, Inflammation and Fluid Balance: A Pilot Study in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Colectomy with ileostomy a. Ileostomy alone with less than 30 cm of small bowel resected i. A diverting ileostomy is permitted 2. Stable disease activity with no or mild inflammation felt not to significantly impact gastrointestinal (GI) output. 3. Any of the following: 1. Need for IV fluids \>2x/month 2. Intake of \> 1.5 liters of oral fluid daily 4. GI output of \> 1.3 liters in a 24-hour period for three days each week during a 14 day screening period (does not need to be consecutive days) 5. Stable doses of anti-diarrheal agents, octreotide or Gattex 6. Stable doses of anti-inflammatory agents and/or antibiotics 7. Willing to comply with study visits and assessments, including product intake. Exclusion: 1. Chronic renal insufficiency glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 40 2. Significant chronic liver disease altering fluid balance 3. Uncontrolled flare of inflammatory disease a. (Inflammation can be present but at a stable at least partly controlled level) b. An anticipated change in medication in the next 3 months i. May be included 8 weeks after changing medications if they are stable c. Anticipated gastrointestinal surgery in the subsequent 3 months i. May be included if they are 4 months out from surgery and stable 4. Diabetes 5. Use of Lactulose/Mannitol solution is contraindicated 6. Current Diagnosis of Cancer a. May be included if they are 4 or more months out from cancer therapy (i.e. chemotherapy, etc.) 7. Aversion to the taste of enterade® or inability to take the product as instructed