The Gotschall Diet, also known as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, can help improve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease such as diarrhea, pain, cramping and bloating. Patients use the diet to treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
History
Dr. Sidney Haas originally developed the diet in the early 1920s as a treatment for Celiac disease, in which the patient cannot digest the gluten protein found in wheat, barley and rye. In the 1950s, Dr. Haas (who was then in his 90s) successfully treated Elaine Gotschall's daughter Judy for severe ulcerative colitis with the same diet. Gotschall ultimately took over research on the diet from Dr. Haas and popularized it in her book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle," which she last revised in 1994.
Function
According to the theory behind the Gotschall Diet, certain complex carbohydrates are difficult for the body to digest, leading to inflammation in the intestines and the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. The diet eliminates those types of complex carbohydrates, and limits the patient to only simple carbohydrates, which "breaks the vicious cycle" of intestinal inflammation, according to Gotschall.
Features
Patients on the Gotschall Diet can eat meat, dairy, nuts, and most fruits and vegetables. However, they cannot eat any grains or potatoes, which contain complex carbohydrates. The diet also bans virtually all sweeteners with the exception of honey, which is made up of simple carbohydrate molecules and therefore is "Gotschall Diet legal."
Time Frame
Generally, patients trying the Gotschall Diet start off with the introductory phase, which allows only a small handful of different foods, including homemade chicken soup. Once diarrhea and cramping from their inflammatory bowel disease subside, patients can broaden their food choices. Many people report that their worst symptoms subside within a few weeks, and some say the Gotschall Diet has cured their disease.
Considerations
Many patients find the Gotschall Diet limiting and difficult to follow. Because the diet bans virtually all foods that have been processed in any way, patients must make almost everything they eat from scratch. In addition, patients following the Gotschall Diet may find it is tricky to eat out at a restaurant due to the diet's strict rules.
References
- Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Beginner's Guide
- "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet;" Elaine Gottschall; 1994
- Pecan Bread: SCD Science
