Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet

By Elaine Gottschall

Book Overview

First published in 1994, Elaine Gottschall's seminal work, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, continues to save the lives of thousands of people worldwide who suffer from the debilitating effects of intestinal disease. In straight-forward language the book explains the science behind the disease process occurring in the intestinal tract of those suffering from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease and other forms of chronic diarrhea and how the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) offers a healthy, balanced and safe approach to stop disease progression and heal the gut. The book includes tools, resources and gourmet recipes to support individuals in starting the SCD and their journey to health. Discovered as a result of the remarkable healing of the author and biochemist's daughter, the diet is based on the understanding that individuals with an injured intestinal tract have difficulty digesting complex carbohydrates. This results in an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the intestines. By limiting the diet to single-molecule sugars, referred to as specific carbohydrates, the body no longer feeds these harmful bacteria, allowing good bacteria to take their place and a healthy intestinal balance to be restored. In short, the SCD breaks the vicious cycle. Based on her research, the author makes the connection, referred to in the book as the "Autism Connection," that the same bacterial overgrowth present in the gut of those suffering from intestinal disease occurs in the gut of many autistic children. Through evidence and testimonials, the book outlines the ability of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to treat many of the behavioral symptoms experienced by those with autism. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet provides a simple solution to healing for so many suffering from life-altering intestinal disease.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0969276818
• ISBN13: 9780969276814
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: The Kirkton Press
• Length: 205 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

This is the OG.

Pre- trendy elimination diets, I believe this book is the OG, the genesis of the movement toward a marriage of holistic health and modern medicine, tradition and common sense. I love the no-nonsense writing style and sense of community you get learning about how the movement, if you will, evolved just as the internet was becoming integral to modern life. Unfortunately, some of the online resources in the book are now defunct, but their direct offshoots and successors can still be found relatively easily, and there are a handful of communities on social media to join for support, and the book's main, eponymous website is still going strong. The principles in this book are applicable to anyone suffering from or coping with digestive issues.

Proof positive - the SCD works!

I have been on this regimen for three years. During this time I have been drug and symptom free. A year and half ago I posted the following review, which is even more dramatic proof now: After a year and a half on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, I finally followed my gastroenterologist's request to get a colonoscopy. After all, it had been over four years since the last time anyone had given me any sort of exam of the gut, and 18 years with Crohns. My doc said "We got all the way to the cecum. No evidence at all of Crohns. No scars. No inflammation. Nothing. You look completely normal." This dietary modification is far better than a drug-induced remission for me because even in past drug-induced 'remissions' my past exams have showed indication of disease. Now there are no drugs, no side effects. I believe this diet is a superior way to bring on a controlled remission.This book guides the patient through the process of understanding their illness, describing the research that contributed to creating the diet, how to start the diet, what foods can be added and when. The book also contains valuable a list of links to "SCDiet" resources and online support groups that are available over the Internet.