Confirmation of Diet as a Treatment for Gulf War Illness
American University
Summary
This clinical trial aims to confirm previous findings from a smaller study which demonstrated significant improvements in all symptoms among veterans with Gulf War Illness after one month on the dietary intervention. The main objectives of this study are: 1) to confirm previous findings of treatment response to the diet in a larger and more diverse group; 2) to examine how changes in the nervous system may be the reason for improvement; and 3) to identify markers which change in the blood after one month on the diet. Participants will have baseline measures collected and then will be randomized into the intervention or wait-listed control group, which they will follow for one month before being reassessed.
Description
The rationale for the proposed research comes from observations from a smaller study which demonstrated profound widespread symptom improvements in veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) after one month on the diet. Improvements were noted in every symptom domain and included significant reductions in overall symptom number (with an average of 9 symptoms going away), reduced pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and concurrent significant improvements in cognitive function and quality of life. Results also demonstrated that those who improved on the diet…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and Females of all races and ethnicities who are ≤75 yrs of age * Served in the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War * Fulfill both Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Kansas definitions of Gulf War Illness * Stable medication regimen for ≥1 month and willing to keep medications and supplements stable throughout study participation Exclusion Criteria: * Recent substance use disorder (past year) * Unwilling to stop using alcohol, tobacco (including vaping) and/or marijuana; or unwilling to change diet * Diagnosed seizure disorder or severe asthma requiring past hospitaliza…
Interventions
- BehavioralDietary Intervention
This is a whole food, nutrient-dense diet that aims to remove exposure to specific food additives thought to have negative neurological effects, while also optimizing micronutrient intake.
Locations (3)
- American UniversityWashington D.C., District of Columbia
- Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, Florida
- Boston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts