Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet [Paperback]

Researching on the internet, I found out about several alternative treatments and some recommended books. I bought three books including "Breaking the Vicious Cycle." In the end, I decided to go with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and started on it in early December of 1996. When I started, I weighed 90 lbs., was extremely weak and could barely get out of bed. Amazingly, after only about three days on the diet, most of my major symptoms disappeared, and the rest went away within two to three weeks. In short, the SCD pulled me back from pain, suffering, a state of wasting away, and feeling that I was just slowly dying.

I lost some more weight at the beginning of the diet, but I continued to stick to the diet, and as my GI tract slowly healed, I began to gain back the weight and energy. By May 1997 I was back all the way. During follow ups, my doctor was surprised that I was doing so well without any medication, but he wasn't interested in hearing about the diet I was following <sigh>. Today, years since I first started, I look and feel just fine. The only times that I've had a relapse is when I have "cheated" by ingesting something that is forbidden on the diet. I have learned much in all these years and been in contact with others on this diet. It works, as long as it is followed to the letter. And contrary to what some reviewers have written here, this diet is not about what you should eat, but about *what not to eat* in order to get well. There's plenty of choice for all types of foods, for a well balanced and healthy diet.

I have given this book five stars just because the SCD diet is such a life-saver. But I have to be honest -- as far as books go, this one could have used a good editor to help with the writing style and organization of the book. And the recipes in the book are not quite ready for primetime (thank goodness for all the SCD websites and support groups on the net!). These are minor quibbles, but such things bother me. Other than that, I recommend this book and the diet to everyone who suffers from any type of digestive disorder. You have nothing to lose -- you can even read the book at the library.

I remained in remission for most of a year, and tried to live a normal life, in denial of my condition. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Like most Americans my age, I ate lots of fast food, junk food, and processed food. I've always loved food, and I get a lot of pleasure from eating. I never had weight problems so I never bothered to limit what I ate. My mother raised me on healthy, whole foods, but during my college years I adopted the junk food diet, and these foods did not agree with my body. I now believe that this type of eating triggered my disease in the first place, and kept me sick.

In December 2003, I experienced my second major flare-up, endured another round of prednisone, and entered into the deepest depression of my life. My future looked bleak. I stumbled on a link to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and immediately dismissed it as too hard to follow. After another week of misery, I decided to buy the book, and give the diet a try, even though I did not think I could follow it, and I wasn't even sure it would work. Now, three months later, I'm amazed at the results. I was able to wean off the prednisone, and I've achieved a near total remission. The diarrhea and gas have gone away completely, my energy has skyrocketed, and I only get minor, occasional cramps. I have a wonderful feeling of well-being that I haven't experienced in years. In addition, I've lost abdominal fat and gained muscle.

Now, if this story sounds too good to be true, let me add that there were significant difficulties with this diet. It was incredibly hard to follow. I experienced cravings all the time in the first few weeks. Over time, the cravings leveled off, but I still sometimes long for sweets and starches. I've also had to reorganize my life in order to prepare meals. The diet excludes most convenience foods, so it required a lifestyle change. I can't live the carefree (or should I say, careless) way that I lived before, and meal preparation takes up a lot more time than it used to. I also had to go out of my way to find products that were free of illegal ingredients. Still, as hard as this diet was to follow, it was worth it. I've even grown fond of the simple foods on this diet, and now I don't know what I'd do without them. I believe that this diet is the way human beings are meant to eat, and that is why it is so effective.

Also note that everyone is different, and will probably follow the diet at their own pace. I was able to introduce raw veggies and fruit very early in the diet without any problems. I also followed the diet without eating any dairy products, as they make me sick. I took calcium supplements and acidophilus probiotics instead of making the yogurt.

All in all, this is a life-saving diet. It is very hard to follow at first, but the results are worth it. I feel sorry for the millions of people with digestive diseases that suffer needlessly, when a cure is right under their noses.