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Specific carbohydrate diet

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The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is a nutritional regimen that is promoted as treating a variety of chronic and auto-immune disorders including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, coeliac disease, autism and cystic fibrosis. The SCD eliminates complex carbohydrates (disaccharides and polysaccharides) and refined sugars, as well as lactose above a significant amount. Popularized by Elaine Gottschall's book Breaking the Vicious Cycle,[1] the diet is specifically designed to alleviate symptoms of many of these chronic conditions. According to Gottschall, the diet must be strictly followed for best results.

Development

The diet was originally developed by Dr. Sydney Haas, and is based on the same guidelines Gottschall's daughter followed decades ago in her bout with Ulcerative colitis. The rationale of the diet described in Breaking the Vicious Cycle is as follows:

  1. When the body receives complex carbohydrates (disaccharides or polysaccharides) these substances must be broken down before they can be absorbed.
  2. In the body of a person who is not able to break these substances down efficiently, an influx of undigested material causes harmful bacteria to flourish.
  3. Bacterial overgrowth is accordingly followed by a significant increase in the waste and other irritants they produce.
  4. Irritation in the lining of the digestive tract results in the overproduction of mucus and injury to the digestive tract, which in turn causes malabsorption and makes it even more difficult to maintain proper digestion.

The purpose of the diet is to break the ongoing cycle caused by an overpopulation of harmful bacteria in the gut. When the body is able to absorb the proper nutrients from simple sugars and other carbohydrates that are easy to digest, the inflammation and other complications caused by many auto-immune diseases can be lessened. The goal is to rid the body of complex saccharides so that the gut will be able to heal itself and enable further healing to occur.

The method of the diet is to keep the gutflora well balanced and to allow the gut to digest all of the food it is given, thereby starving out the harmful bacteria.

Main necessities and substitutions

  1. Nut Flour: Nut flour is the only known substitution for the conventional flour made from grains. Grain flours contain starches which must be broken down when they enter the body. Other flours such as tapioca still contain complex carbohydrates, though they do not contain gluten.
  2. Honey: Honey is always used when a sweetener is needed, as the bees have already broken the sugar down into its simplest form. Other forms of sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup are processed and therefore contain more complex sugars that must be broken down by the body. Stevia is normally a good and beneficial sweetener as it contains no sugars and doesn't present the side effects that most artificial sweeteners do, but it has unknown and possibly negative effects to those on the SCD and must be avoided if possible. Saccharin is allowed.
  3. Milk Products:
    • Yogurt: Commercial yogurt is not allowed on the diet as commercially-produced yogurts usually contain large amounts of the sugar lactose. However, lactose-free yogurt can be made by fermenting milk with a starter for 24-29 hours. The fermentation process breaks down lactose.
    • Cheese: Certain types of cheese are not allowed on the diet, usually because they contain too much lactose (mozzarella, ricotta) or because they are not true fermented cheeses (American). Also, many cheeses are infused with starch-containing enzymes that are added after the fermentation stage, making them unsuitable for use on the diet. Many cheeses are allowed however, including cheddar and havarti (regularly), plus colby jack, muenster, provolone, Swiss, and brie occasionally.

The diet forbids certain foods (terming them 'illegal').

Support

The diet is supported through patient testimonials and several websites containing recipes, listserv communications, and other helpful information. The book "Colitis & Me: A Story of Recovery" by Raman Prasad provides one of the most extensive journals of a patient who found relief from his symptoms that he attributes to the benefits of the SCD.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America does not support the diet due to lack of studies proving its effectiveness. No funding has been supplied for study of the effects of the SCD.

In a recent article on their website, the CCFA claims that "decreasing poorly digestible carbohydrates may decrease symptoms of gas, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea in patients with IBD, but that is not the same thing as decreasing the inflammation, or affecting the disease process."[2]

It is important to note that there is no current cure to any of the above diseases, nor does the Specific Carbohydrate Diet claim to be a cure, but rather, an effective treatment.

Comparisons to other diets

Gluten-Free: The Specific Carbohydrate Diet removes some of the same foods prohibited on a gluten-free diet. The SCD removes more foods. The gluten-free diet is based on a different theory regarding the cause of, and treatment for, intestinal damage. The gluten-free diet is proposed to be a permanent restriction. The SCD is proposed to heal intestinal damage, allowing for a wide variety of healthy foods to be re-introduced, usually after a year or more.

Gluten-Free, Casein-Free: While the Specific Carbohydrate Diet removes some of the same foods prohibited on a gluten-free, casein-free diet, it does allow certain dairy products. Both diets are promoted by some as effectively treating autism. The gluten-free, casein-free diet is proposed to be a permanent restriction. The SCD is proposed to heal intestinal damage, allowing for a wide variety of healthy foods to be re-introduced, usually after a year or more.

Natural Hygiene: This diet, as recommended in the David Klein, Ph. D. book "Self Healing Colitis & Crohn's"[3], focuses on reducing bowel irritation and toxins by a diet derived exclusively from vegan whole foods. It is similar to the SCD in that both diets remove grains, milk, and sweeteners, but in addition, the Natural Hygiene diet prohibits meats and eggs. The Natural Hygiene diet is based on a different theory regarding the cause of and treatment for intestinal damage.

References

  1. ^ Gottschall, Elaine (1994). Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet (Revised edition ed.). Kirkton Press. ISBN 0-9692768-1-8. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
  2. ^ CCFA.org Specific Carbohydrate Diet
  3. ^ Natural Colitis & Crohn's Diet Cure
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