<<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