<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Alec Maines wrote:
> One of the things I've learned (and sometimes a little knowledge can be
> dangerous) is that the recipes on this list, although fun, are exactly the
> wrong kind of foods that a person with a healing gut should eat (flours &
> baked goods).
This is NOT the generally accepted view for people with Celiac Disease.
For most celiacs, a gluten-free diet is sufficient to bring about
healing of the damaged small intestine.
> In my experience with the list, I never felt warned against carbohydrates,
> just very fibrous foods, perhaps I missed it.
There may be other GI disorders for which carbohydrates must be avoided,
but this simply is not the case for dealing with Celiac Disease. It is
not surprising that such a warning has not been issued on this list; it
doesn't apply to most of the people subscribed to this list.
Alec referred to the book _Breaking the Vicious Cycle_, by Elaine
Gottschall. This book has been discussed on the list before. The book
may lead some people to believe (falsely) that the diet it advocate's
can cure Celiac Disease. There is a basic fundamental truth that all
Celiacs must face:
At this point in time, there is NO cure for Celiac Disease. Celiac
Disease can be entirely controlled by a gluten-free diet, so that a
celiac can be as healthy as a non-celiac; but at this time Celiac
Disease CANNOT be cured.
With this basic fact in mind, you can decide if there is any value to be
obtained from following the diet advocated in this book. (As with any
serious change in diet, it is best to check with your physician first.)
The problem is you will not find it easy to keep a good nutritional
balance while on the diet. My guess is that for most celiacs this diet
won't have any more effect than a less-restrictive gluten-free diet.
I've enclosed some passages from previous posts to the list about this
book.
--- Jim Lyles, [log in to unmask]
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Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 10:32:51 -0400
From: Don Wiss <[log in to unmask]>
Debra Boutin asked:
>I was sure that I had read something in the last few months about
>a book that gave good advice on controlling the symptoms of IBS...
The book you are probably referring to is by Elaine Gottschall entitled
Breaking the Vicious Cycle, Intestinal Health through Diet. She says it is
a diet for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac
disease, cystic fibrosis, and chronic diarrhea. It is published by the
Kirkton Press in Kirkton, Ontario, Canada. The telephone number is
519-229-6795. The fax is 519-229-6969.
It has been discussed in the alt.support.crohns-colitis newsgroup with some
people reporting success and others not. The author says that one month is
long enough to tell if the diet is helping, but it then takes longer to
"cure".
The basics of the diet are (snipped from newsgroup posts):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [log in to unmask] (Michelle Gray)
Basically, you only eat monosaccharides which means simple sugars, so that
everything is digested with no leftovers, like fiber. These leftovers are
believed to feed to bacterium and "flora" in your intestines which then can
get out of control (the bad ones) and make further digestion even harder.
Their overabundence causes them to produce extra mucus which covers up the
microvilli which break down complex sugars. So more is undigested, they eat
more, they grow more, a "vicious cycle." My GI said he thinks the theory has
some validity, but no controlled studies have been done, so no proof, and
not everyone who you would think would benefit does. Hence, the experimental
side of it.
What you can eat:
fruit and vegetables, cooked only at first until you can tolerate more;
nuts when you can tolerate them;
some beans (lentils and white navy) when you can tolerate them;
meat;
milk products without lactose, like hard aged cheeses (cheddar, colby,
swiss); homemade yogurt (real easy and good!), a few others;
honey.
No-Nos:
refined sugars;
wheat and other flours -- NONE at all;
most beans;
potatoes;
lactose milk products;
chocolate (of course).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [log in to unmask] (Heidi Rafman)
It seems like basically everything that is processed or already prepared is
disallowed - I think everything you eat will either have to be natural or
home-made.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [log in to unmask] (Jean Marie Pesola)
Overall, it is NOT an unhealthy diet. However, it would be difficult
for vegetarians because tofu and most soy-based products cannot be
eaten, so protein can be harder to come by. I've been on it for over
a year and am symptom free as long as I don't cheat. It doesn't work
for everyone, but I cannot think of any reason not to give it a shot.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me.
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Date: Fri, 6 Oct 1995 23:57:47 -0700
From: Greg Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>
Has anyone out there ever heard of a book entitled "Breaking the Vicious
Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall B.A.,M.Sc.? Last weekend I was listening to a
local radio program here in Phoenix when I heard Elaine Gottchall as a
guest speaker. She told a story about her 4yr. old daughter whom was
diagnosed by several specialists as having incurable ulcerative colitis
in which she needed surgery. Determined to find another solution Elaine
searched for anyone who could help her daughter, she then met Drs. Sidney V.
Haas and Merrill P. Haas whom were known at the time as having published a book
entitled "Management of Celiac Disease." To make a long story short Dr. Haas
imediatialy put her daughter on what is known as "The Specific Carbohydrate
Diet". Within two years she was free of any symptoms. This all took place
in the 60's. Since then Elaine decided she wanted to learn more about
intestinal health and attended Montclair State College in New Jersey where
she received her Bachelor's degree from the Dept. of Biology.
After hearing all of this I was anxious to meet her and find out more about
"The Specific Carbohydrate Diet" and what it might do for me....I went and
spoke with her, it was very inspiring. I then purchased her book and am
presently attempting this new diet. She claims that she has had many
patients with CD respond positively on this diet. If this is true I am
definitly interested.
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Date: Sat, 16 Dec 1995 11:28:50 EST
From: MRS JANET RINEHART <[log in to unmask]>
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....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
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Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 23:12:35 EST
From: MRS JANET RINEHART <[log in to unmask]>
Our Houston chapter sent the book to one of our physician advisors,
Dr. Sheila Crowe, for review. We both concur that this resource is
highly dangerous for celiacs who might believe that one year on the
special diet will be a complete cure. This is completely counter to
current physicians' and medical researchers' opinions.
There are many other much better correct resources to have in your
library to refer to. Don't bother with this one! Janet Rinehart,
Houston Celiac-Sprue Support Group.
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