The Science Behind the Diet

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet-TM ( SCD-TM) has proven to be highly successful for many who suffer from the following disorders

The SCD -TM has also proven to be very effective for siezure control. The Breaking the Vicious Cycle WEB site has moved click on the most appropriate link above to go to the new site.

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Specific Carbohydrate Diet

also offers the latest SCD™™-related as Bowel disease, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease as well as ongoing updates to the information presented in my book. In diarrhea and IBD and forms of Bowel disease addition autism, there is a growing Knowledge Base which covers all aspects of the diet, Intestinal health through diet. It also offers the latest SCD™™-related as Bowel disease, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease as well as ongoing updates to the information presented in my book. In diarrhea and IBD and forms of Bowel disease addition autism, there is a growing Knowledge Base which covers all aspects of the diet, The Specific Carbohydrate Diet™,To access this base, autism The Specific Carbohydrate Diet™, SCD™™. The Book Breaking the vicious cycle describes the diet The Siezure Control and Autistic Children als have great benefit Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis Bowel disorders IBD and Autism ASD children on the Autism Spectrum.
If you are among those considering beginning the diet, as described in Breaking the vicious cycle the specific carbohydrate diet . My goal is to autism offer and Autistic children also have bowel disease additional support to those following the diet outlined in my book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle", namely, the autism Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ (SCD™™).

The SCD™™ has proven to be highly successful for autism many who suffer from various bowel disorders as well as the many related problems which actually stem from imbalances in the intestinal tract. Crohn's disease and IBD autistic children celiac disease siezure control is also an issueThis site makes details available for those who wish to know more about the diet.However, I feel it is important to autism mention that to successfully follow the diet, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis it is essential to read ", as starting the diet can be the most difficult time. The Book Breaking the vicious cycle describes the diet The Siezure Control and Autistic Children als have great benefit Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis Bowel disorders IBD and Autism ASD children on the Autism Spectrum. Intestinal health through diet. Many others have had the same experiences and are glad to offer ongoing assistance to those who autism are Diarrhea just beginning. To join a community of people eager to help and support you, just click on and subscribe to one or more.
It also offers the latest SCD™™-related as Bowel disease, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease as well as ongoing updates to the information presented in my book. In diarrhea and IBD and forms of Bowel disease addition autism, there is a growing Knowledge Base which covers all aspects of the diet, My goal is to autism offer and Autistic children also have bowel disease additional support to those following the diet outlined in my book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle", namely, the autism Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ (SCD™™).The Specific Carbohydrate Diet™, SCD™™. It also offers the latest SCD™™-related as Bowel disease, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease as well as ongoing updates to the information presented in my book.The Book Breaking the vicious cycle describes the diet The Siezure Control and Autistic Children als have great benefit Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis Bowel disorders IBD and Autism ASD children on the Autism Spectrum. Intestinal health through diet. To access this base, autism
If you are among those considering beginning the diet, as described in Breaking the vicious cycle the specific carbohydrate diet . My goal is to autism offer and Autistic children also have bowel disease additional support to those following the diet outlined in my book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle", namely, the autism Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ (SCD™™). However, I feel it is important to autism mention that to successfully follow the diet, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis it is essential to read ", as starting the diet can be the most difficult time. In order to understand how the diet works, it is important to understand the disease process occurring in the gut or, WHY the diet works.

"We must never forget that what the patient takes beyond his ability to digest does harm." Dr. Samuel Gee.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is predicated on the understanding that Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and gluten therapy resistant Celiac are the consequence of an overgrowth and imbalance of intestinal microbial flora. By altering the nutrition we take in, we can effect the constitution of our intestinal flora, and bring it back into balance, healing our digestive tracts and restoring proper absorption.

The intestinal tract forms a rich ecosystem, comprised of over 400 bacterial species. Some are harmless, and others not. In the gut of a healthy person, these various communities of microbes compete with each other for scarce nutritional resources. Consequently, they exist in a state of balance, and the stomach and small intestine harbour only a sparse population of microbial flora. In the large intestine, each type inhibits an overabundance of the others, and this prevents the waste products and toxins of a particular type of microbe from overwhelming the body. The stomach and upper intestine are also protected by high acidity, and the action of peristalsis.

The Vicious Cycle

When the balance in the gut is disturbed, an overgrowth of intestinal flora can result. Microbes migrate to the small intestine and stomach, inhibiting digestion and competing for nutrients. The gut then becomes overloaded with the byproducts of their digestion. This bacterial overgrowth can be triggered by overuse of antacids, reduced stomach acidity due to aging, weakening of the immune system through malnutrition or poor diet, and alteration of the microbial environment through antibiotic therapy.

The components of our diet, particularly carbohydrates, play an enormous role in influencing the type and number of our intestinal flora. When carbohydrates are not fully digested and absorbed, they remain in our gut, and become nutrition for the microbes we host. The microbes themselves must digest these unused carbohydrates, and they do this through the process of fermentation. The waste products of fermentation are gases, such as methane, carbon dioxide & hydrogen, and both lactic & acetic acids, as well as toxins. All serve to irritate and damage the gut. There is evidence that increased acidity in the gut due to malabsorption and fermentation of carbohydrates, may lead common harmless intestinal bacteria to mutate into more harmful ones. Further, lactic acid produced during the fermentation process has been implicated in the abnormal brain function and behaviour sometimes associated with intestinal disorders. The overgrowth of bacteria into the small intestine triggers a worsening cycle of gas and acid production, which further inhibits absorption and leads to yet more harmful byproducts of fermentation. The enzymes on the surface of the small intestines are destroyed by the now present bacteria, and this further disrupts the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, leading to further bacterial overgrowth. As both the microbial flora and their byproducts damage the mucosal layer of the small intestine, it is provoked to produce excessive protective mucus, which further inhibits digestion and absorption.

Damage to the mucosal layer involves injury to the microvilli of our absorptive cells. These microvilli act as the last barrier between the nutrition we take in and our bloodstream. As our absorption is inhibited, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to impaired development of microvilli, while an abnormally thick layer of mucus prevents contact between microvilli enzymes and the carbohydrates we ingest. The small intestine responds to this spiraling irritation by producing more goblet (mucus-making) cells, creating yet more mucus. Finally, as the goblet cells become exhausted, the intestinal surface is laid bare, and is further damaged, and possibly ulcerated. As more carbohydrates are left in the gut, they cause water and nutrients to be pulled from the body into the colon, resulting in chronic diarrhea. Absorption is further hindered as diarrhea increases the rate with which food travels through the gut.

The Diet

"The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is based on the principle that specifically selected carbohydrates, requiring minimal digestive processes, are well absorbed and leave virtually none to be used for furthering microbial overgrowth in the intestine. As the microbial population decreases due to lack of food, its harmful byproducts also decrease, freeing the intestinal surface of injurious substances. No longer needing protection, the mucus-producing cells stop producing excessive mucus, and carbohydrate digestion is improved. Malabsorption is replaced by absorption. As the individual absorbs energy and nutrients, all the cells in the body are properly nourished, including the cells of the immune system, which then can assist in overcoming the microbial invasion." The simpler the structure of the carbohydrate, the more easily the body digests and absorbs it. Monosaccharides (single molecules of glucose, fructose, or galactose) require no splitting by digestive enzymes in order to be absorbed by the body. These are the sugars we rely on in the diet. They include those found in fruits, honey, some vegetables, and in yoghurt.

Double sugar molecules (disaccharides: lactose, sucrose, maltose and isomaltose) and starches (polysaccharides) are primarily avoided on the diet. Some starches have been shown to be tolerated, particularly those in the legume family (dried beans, lentils and split peas only). However, they must be soaked for 10-12 hours prior to cooking, and the water discarded since it will contain other sugars which are indigestible, but which are removed in the soaking process. Small amounts of legumes may only be added to the diet after about three months. The starches in all grains, corn, and potatoes must be strictly avoided. Corn syrup is also excluded since it contains a mixture of 'short-chain' starches.

Yoghurt

Finally, the SCDiet relies on properly fermented yoghurt, and in some cases, acidophilus supplements, to help repopulate the gut with healthy intestinal flora. By increasing the population of 'good' bacteria in the gut, the overgrowth of harmful bacteria is put in check. As the competition for nutrition between the various strains of bacteria resumes, the variety of intestinal flora is brought back into balance. yoghurt must be properly prepared by fermenting it for 24 hours. This allows enough time for the bacteria in the yoghurt culture to break down the lactose (disaccharides) in milk, into galactose (a monosaccharide). All SCDiet yoghurt is homemade, as commercially available yoghurts are not properly fermented.

Originally from the BTVC site