<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

In Houston chapter's summer newsletter issue, we reviewed the above
book with comments by one of our physician advisors.  This diet
(recommended for a limited time) will definitely not cure CD in the
long term.  Read on...
BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE, Intestinal Health Through Diet, Diet for
     Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, Celiac
     Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, & Chronic Diarrhea by Elaine Gottschall,
     B.A., M.Sc.

     CSA/USA, Inc., notified officers that CNN on March 24 and 25 would
broadcast a short segment about Celiac Disease as part of their "On the
Menu" program.  As it turned out, the story was a rather unrealistic
representation of living with the gluten- free diet because the main
character had hired a chef to teach her how to cook gluten free.   A
resource lying on the counter while the chef was measuring out almond
flour was Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottshall, B.S., M.Sc. of
Canada.

     Breaking the Vicious Cycle says it contains a diet for Crohn's
Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, Celiac Disease, Cystic
Fibrosis, and Chronic Diarrhea.  Ms. Gottshall says that "in various
conditions, a poorly functioning intestine can be easily overwhelmed by
the ingestion of carbohydrates which require numerous digestive
processes.  The result is an environment that supports overgrowth of
intestinal yeast and bacteria thus either initiating the chain of events
or perpetuating it. The purpose of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is to
deprive the microbial world of the intestine of the food it needs to
overpopulate."  Dr.  Gottshall is talking about carbohydrates such as
refined sugar (sucrose), milk sugar (lactose), and starches.  She
proposes that nothing be eaten other than those foods in her list.
After a year on that very restrictive diet, she says that the individual
will be cured of diarrhea and any of the intestinal diseases mentioned
in the first sentence.

     This 'resource' is not an orthodox way of looking at digestive
diseases.  For Irritable Bowel, this restrictive diet may work for some
people, at least temporarily.   The therapy described in this book is
not medically accepted.  Celiacs can tolerate this diet for a while, but
in longer terms, they may run the risk of malnutrition and further
complications because the diet is not nutritionally balanced. And if you
thought a gluten-free diet was restrictive....! This diet will
definitely not cure Celiac Disease. The recipes printed seem to be fine
for a gluten-free diet, although no mention is given to the avoidance of
distilled vinegar or alcohol.  Breaking the Vicious Cycle is definitely
not recommended for celiacs.  Janet Rinehart, Houston, TX