What Is A Special Carbohydrate Diet For Crohn's Disease?

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is an eating plan designed to give people suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis relief from their symptoms. There is some controversy over the diet, and there is little research to suggest the diet is effective. Many followers of the diet claim that following the diet alleviated their symptoms and even helped them achieve remission from the autoimmune disease.

The diet, which limits the types of carbohydrates that can be consumed, first became known publicly with the 1994 release of "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall.

History

• The Specific Carbohydrate Diet was founded by Elaine Gottschall and Dr. Sydney Haas nearly 50 years ago. Gottschall's then 4-year-old daughter, Judy, had become ill with severe ulcerative colitis, and the disease was resistant to conventional medicine. Faced with surgery that would remove her daughter's colon that would force Judy to wear an ostomy bag for life, Gottschall turned to alternative methods of treatment.

  After visits to a series of specialists who all told her surgery was the only option, Gottschall met Haas, who developed a carbohydrate and sugar-restrictive diet for Judy. After several months, Judy's health improved and--after 2 years--she was symptom free. During that time, Haas died, and Gottschall was compelled to preserve and continue his research. She entered college and earned degrees in biology, nutritional biochemistry and cellular biology. Several years later, she compiled her personal experience and research into the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet."

The Facts

• The diet is a grain-, lactose- and sucrose-free eating plan. The name of the diet, "Specific Carbohydrate," refers to the fact that only a select group of carbohydrates can be consumed. The carbohydrates allowed in the diet are all simple and easily digestible. Starches found in grains, corn and potatoes are not allowed. Most sugars are also not allowed. Honey and 100 percent fruit syrups, such as pineapple syrup, are generally not allowed. Even artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharine, must be limited. For example, the "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" book states that 1 can of aspartame-sweetened diet soda may be consumed per week.

Foods in the Diet

• Unprocessed meats, eggs, some types of beans, nuts, most fruits and vegetables and most cheeses are the main staples of the diet. Baked goods can be made using almond flour and honey as substitutes for grain flour and sugar. In most cases, sauces and condiments must be homemade. "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" offers recipes for homemade salad dressings, ketchup, barbecue sauce and mayonnaise. Commercially made plain yellow mustard is allowed.

Theory

• The theory behind the diet is that Crohn's disease, as well as many other digestive disorders, is caused by an imbalance of intestinal bacteria. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is designed to control intestinal bacteria and restore a healthy balance. Eventually, the digestive tract will become healthy and the follower can slowly reintroduce different types of foods. Along with the regimented eating plan, followers eat homemade yogurt. Commercial yogurt and milk is not allowed on the diet. The yogurt must be properly fermented (processed for 24 hours) so that it has healthy bacteria that helps to restore the health of the digestive tract.

Opposing Theory

• Currently, there have been few medical and scientific studies on the effectiveness of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. According to an article from the Crohn's Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), the diet has "mixed reviews" from both physicians and followers. Many doctors fear the diet is too difficult to follow and patients will become discouraged. They also suggest that there is no real evidence that the diet works. It is noted that the diet is not meant to be a lifelong regimen, and some doctors will say that if someone is dedicated, it could not hurt to try it. It is stressed that people following the diet should stick with their prescribed treatment plan and maintain a nutritionally balanced diet.