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Intestinal Health through Diet

 

"The Specific Carbohydrate Diet"

(Recommended diet for Acid Reflux, IBS, Crohn's, UC, Diverticulitis,

Celiac Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Chronic Diarrhea, Autism & the many problems

stemming from imbalances in the intestinal tract.)

from

BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE

by

Elaine Gottschall, B.A., M.Sc. 

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Welcome! 

We look forward to helping you regain your health by following The Specific Carbohydrate Diet™.

 

The SCD has proven to be highly successful for many who suffer from various bowel disorders as well as the many related problems which actually stem from imbalances in the intestinal tract. Please read the 210+ customer reviews on Amazon.

 

Let me reassure you that there is “life” after a bad gut diagnosis!  And it’s a better one, at that.  Most of us felt pretty panicky when we first learned that many of our favorite foods were going to be taken away.  Much to our surprise, however, we found that our food was the very best food available!  And, once we healed, most of us found that we were healthier than the majority of people we knew.      

 

Now, let me tell you a little of what we’ve learned by experience.  By the time most of us were diagnosed, we had been malabsorbing nutrients for some time and our immune systems were very compromised.  We had many symptoms/illnesses that we didn’t realize were a direct result of not digesting our foods and malabsorbing the nutrients from those foods.  We found that the intestinal damage caused many food intolerances and that we couldn’t get well until we avoided specific foods . . . . . . namely processed foods and starches.

 

Bacterial/yeast overgrowth in the gut causes inflammation that destroy digestive enzymes and cause a multitude of symptoms/illnesses/diseases such as the following:  Food intolerances to gluten, lactose/dairy, starch/sugar, etc.; allergies, rashes, itching, headaches, anemia, depression, brain fog, indigestion, Acid Reflux, gas, bloating, stomach pain, joint swelling and pain, diarrhea, constipation, Celiac Disease, IBS, Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis and Diverticulitis are just a few.

 

My estimate is that about two in every three people you know have digestive/intestinal symptoms; and if their diet is not addressed completely, symptoms will eventually get worse and deal them a lifetime of misery . . . possibly leading to a life on steroids . . . or cancer . . . or ultimately to the removal of intestines . . . which causes many more problems. 

 

What most in the health and medical fields don’t tell us is that overgrowth of bacteria is caused by a number of things: Overuse of antibiotics, birth control pills, prescription drugs, chemotherapy, cortisone, too many processed foods over the years, yo-yo dieting, stress, chemicals, preservatives, heavy metal exposure, and the list goes on and on.  Processed foods and foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars cause and/or exacerbate your symptoms and your illness. Our food selection is one area that we do have a great deal of control over. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet that our group indorses and supports includes foods that do not promote overgrowth of bacteria, over-fermentation, inflammation, or damage to the intestinal walls.    

 

The SCD is a healthy way of eating, much like our early ancestors ate, that heals the intestines and maximizes digestion. Once the intestines heal and repair, enzymes can return, and digestion and absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat are maximized. Only when we’ve maximized digestion, absorption and elimination can the immune system become stronger and fight off disease.

 

Since there is a science to the SCD, it is imperative to follow the food list FANATICALLY for the diet to “work its magic”. After you’ve broken some of your food addictions (usually about 3-10 days) you should not feel deprived, abnormally hungry or crave . . . as long as you follow the food list 100%! This is not a weight loss “diet”. If you need to loose or gain weight, however, you should do so in time. Just keep your focus on getting ‘healthy’ and your weight will typically slowly stabilize as a result.

 

 

After reading the articles on this website and the book, BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE (which you can find at some local book stores, from Lucy's Kitchen Shop, www.Amazon.com or from me), you should find all of your questions answered.  You will also find support and motivation at our monthly meetings and/or on an SCD Listserve to help this way of eating become a natural part of your life.  If you are local and would like to meet with me one-on-one, I will be more than happy to meet with you as time permits.  I do not charge for this service. Seeing my friends get well is my compensation.  

 

If you would like to fill out my Questionnaire, I will be more than happy to personalize my suggestions to you. 

 

To learn more about BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE, go to www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info . . . the official website of Scientist and author, Elaine Gottschall.  The Search function there is a tremendous help in checking out foods and ingredients.  I placed a shortcut button on my computer desktop so I can go there quickly.  

 

Since this will be a new way of life for you, you will need to UNLEARN some things and learn many new things. So often we think we are doing all the right things and one tiny goof-up can throw us completely. Knowledge is POWER and joining one of the SCD Listserves for a while will give you the knowledge and motivation to stick with your new lifestyle. I strongly recommend joining one of the Online Support Groups to learn more from those just like yourself who have suffered from digestive/intestinal/colon problems and have healed themselves by following The Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  I am particularly fond of Gay Bauer's List.  Questions are welcomed and the support from the dedicated people there is priceless!      

 

I am certain you will want to refer back to this website often. You will want to read and re-read the information on this website and the book, BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE, until the information becomes second nature to you. It’s also a good idea to print the Complete Food List to carry in your purse or pocketbook.  

 

This way of eating has given many thousands a new life!  Once you've "practiced" eating healthy for a while and begun to feel the difference, I'm confidant you will be "hooked" also. My prayer is that your health and life will be changed as six of my family members (Our Family Success Story), many of my friend's, and thousands of others around the world have been changed.  

 

To get the most from this website, please see my Website Tutorial. 

Eat safe & healthy,

 

Kay

SCD Digestive Health Consultant

"Austin SCD Friends"

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“One of the most delightful discoveries we can make in life is realizing that everything that happens to us can be used for our advancement. Every experience, no matter how traumatic and daunting it might appear has just as much potential to be a stepping stone as it does to be a stumbling block. Always remember it is not what happens to us that matters. It is our reaction to what happens that makes the difference, and we always get to choose what that reaction will be.”

–Kate Nowak

 

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This website is maintained by Kay Stence in Kingsland, Texas.

Information published on this Web site is intended to support the book

BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE by Elaine Gottschall and is for information

purposes only. It is not the intention of this site to diagnose, prescribe, or replace

medical care. Your doctor or nutrition expert should be consulted before

undertaking a radical change of diet.

 © 2006