<<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] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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.