SCD & L-Glutamine

The specific carbohydrate diet was developed by biochemist Elaine Gottschall to help her daughter, who was suffering from ulcerative colitis. Gottschall has studied the mechanisms connecting different nutrients with intestinal health and has published the details of the SCD in the book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet." L-glutamine is an amino acid that can also contribute to the health of your intestines and can be a good adjuvant to the SCD program. Consult your doctor before taking any new supplements.

SCD

The underlying principle of the SCD is to limit starches and sugar that can be used as food by the bacteria in your intestines. An overgrowth of these bacteria can exacerbate gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease, as well as other conditions, including autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and seizures. SCD eliminates all forms of sugar, starchy vegetables and grains and is based on meat, poultry, fish, eggs, specific vegetables and fruits, homemade yogurt and coconut oil.

L-Glutamine

L-glutamine is an amino acid, or a building block in the making of protein. The cells lining your intestines can use and easily switch to using L-glutamine for energy. The use of L-glutamine supplements is indicated in people dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn' s disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. L-glutamine can be purchased in tablets or in powder form. Consult with your physician before starting supplementation with L-glutamine.

Healing Your Gut

Both SCD and L-glutamine can help you heal your gut by providing your intestines with the right nutrients it needs. The SCD does not specifically recommend supplements to support its approach but many SCD eaters complement this dietary approach with a variety of supplements. L-glutamine is a safe supplement to take while on the SCD, but its use is not advised if you have kidney disease, liver disease or Reye's syndrome. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements to ensure they do no interact with any of your medications.

L-Glutamine and SCD

It is best to avoid taking any supplements during the introductory phase of the SCD. Once through this phase, you can gradually introduce some of the more easily digestible foods allowed on the SCD, one more every three to four days, so you can determine whether you can tolerate each of the new foods. When you feel ready, you can try introducing a small amount of L-glutamine to your diet to see if you tolerate it well. If you don't have any adverse effect from this supplement, you can gradually increase the dose up to 500 mg, taken one to three times a day, or as recommended by your health care provider.