The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (also known as the Specific Carb Diet or SCD) was developed to treat various forms of bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, that cause severe diarrhea, pain and problems absorbing food.
Theory
The theory behind the Specific Carb Diet is simple: Certain types of simple carbohydrates---those with a single-molecule structure---are digested more easily than other, more complex types of carbohydrates. These simple types of carbohydrates generally include those available to humans before agriculture began some 12,000 years ago.
More Theory
According to "Breaking the Vicious Cycle," the 1994 guidebook on the Specific Carb Diet, patients with inflammatory bowel disease have difficulty digesting more complex forms of carbohydrates. Because these carbs cannot be digested properly, they fuel bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, which in turn fuels inflammation and causes diarrhea, bloating and pain, along with other symptoms, the book states.
Significance
The foods allowed on the Specific Carb Diet mimic what early man ate prior to the introduction of agriculture, and include meat, fish, eggs, many vegetables, nuts and low-sugar fruits. Honey also is "legal" on the Specific Carb Diet. Foods that are "illegal," or not allowed because they include the wrong types of carbohydrates, include all grains, almost all forms of sugar, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes. The diet also promotes the use of specially prepared homemade yogurt as a source of beneficial bacteria for the intestines.
Benefits
There have been no rigorous medical studies looking at the effectiveness of the Specific Carb Diet in treating inflammatory bowel disease. However, many patients have reported on diet websites that the Specific Carb Diet has helped them become symptom-free and put their diseases into remission. In addition, in the last decade, parents of children with autism have begun using the Specific Carb Diet to treat the symptoms of that disorder, with some reported successes.
Considerations
According to patient reports, the diet can be limiting and difficult to follow. Very few readily available processed foods are considered legal on the Specific Carb Diet, so patients generally need to prepare all foods from scratch themselves. However, there is a strong support network available online for the diet, and some small niche businesses now sell Specific Carb Diet baked goods and other foods.
References
- "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet"; Elaine Gottschall; 1994
- Breaking the Vicious Cycle: The Science Behind the Diet
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