Abstract

Background: The study focused on a new dietary approach to treatment of diet-related immune pathologies interesting an increasing number of people sensi- tive to dietary antigens like gluten or nickel. In particular we paid particular atten- tion to pathological condition that is a combination of two frequent conditions not still perfectly known: gluten-related syndrome defined as non-celiac gluten sensitivi- ty (NCGS) and systemic (gastrointestinal and skin) reactions to ingestion of nickel rich food that characterizes Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS).

Objective: The aim of this study was to implement a new exclusion diet (DICE diet) in patients with the mentioned pathologies.

Usually, for this condition, diet is represented by a list of forbidden food that doesn't consider the initial weight. This is why there is a loss of the adherence of patients to the diet as a consequence of efficacy of treatment.

Method: The new exclusion diet is developed, keeping in mind, the initial weight, considering the gen- eral patient's state to ensure the respect for a sufficient time in order to reduce symptoms.

The compliance and the effects on the weight have been detected by a questionnaire during the 6-month follow up.

Results: 17 patients, with SNAS and NCGS, have been treated with the DICE diet and after 6 months, 70% of them have reported symptoms disappearance.

Conclusion: We suggest that the DICE diet could be prescribed for the treatment of these diet-related immune-pathologies.

Keywords: Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS), non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGC), obesity, exclusion DICE diet.

Graphical Abstract