Customer Reviews

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I should have written this review years ago, but I guess it's not too late. Here's my experience:
After months of suffering GI problems, I was finally diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in the fall of 1996. The specialist wanted to put me on a couple of pharmaceuticals, but I wasn't interested in taking such toxic drugs, so I declined the pills but agreed to use Cortenema. But my condition continued to worsen and I developed other strange symptoms.

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 am adding my voice to the many others who've been helped by this wonderful book. My young son was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis this year. I felt helpless watching him struggle with feeling so sick despite taking lots of prednisone. I watched him become ill with related conditions like arthritis, uveitis and he even started to show some signs of liver involement. I was terrified of what might be looming ahead, like having his colon removed or maybe even liver failure. I found this book through Amazon.com - it was one of many I purchased at the time. I decided to try the diet as it was the one which made the most sense to me, it was healthy and it contained the foods we most probably evolved to eat. I am happy to report that my son's diarrhea stopped THE DAY he began the diet. He has made a dramatic recovery, no more joint pain, no more uveitis, no more cramps or diarrhea! His blood work gets better every time and he feels better now then he has in 2 years. The author of this wonderful book, Elaine Gotchell, was kind enough to call me personally to answer a question I had faxed to her. The depth of her loving support and kindness can't be overstated. You can visit her website at www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info. Thank you Amazon for stocking this book, and Elaine, you are my hero.

In August 2002 I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, at the age of 22. I was put on Asacol and told that I would never have a normal life again. Soon after, I experienced my first major flare-up. I had agonizing pain, diarrhea, vomiting, malise, anemia, low energy, and depression. I was prescribed prednisone, which temporarily put my disease in remission, but the side effects of that drug were almost as bad as my Crohn's symptoms. I could not sleep more than 4 hours a night, I was constantly anxious and jittery, had an insatiable appetite, and I became more depressed than ever. Even when I finally reached "remission", I still experienced abdominal pain everyday, diarrhea on most days, bad gas and bloating, and low energy.

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.

This popular book, written by a biochemist and cell biologist, got its start when Gottschall's daughter was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at a young age. She developed the "Specific Carbohydrate Diet," a strict grain-free, lactose-free, and sucrose-free regimen, as an alternative to medication and surgery. The diet is intended to starve anaerobic bacteria in the intestinal tract, similar to the use of antibiotics for Crohn's. No clinical trials have been conducted on its effectiveness for IBD as far as I know, but if you are looking for alternative approaches you might try this dietary approach. Visit the IBD Book Store for other reviews on books related to Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS. As for other books for proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle I strongly recommend Can We Live 150

A fantastic read, very helpful and for once a diet for stomach disorders that doesn't involve eating just bread and water!

I gave the book a one star because the diet did not help releave my Colitis symptoms. Though the book does have a strong following, so I'm sure that it can help some people. But if you are like me, then the book will do you no good. To be fair, the author suggests that the diet does not help all. But reading these reviews might lead you to believe that this a miracle cure. The only benefit I received was a virtual elimination of gas pain. But the amount of stool blood, BM frequency, and cramping remained the same or increased. I was very faithful to the diet for about 3 months before throwing in the towel with disappointment. I would also be very careful not to malnourish yourself on this diet. With IBD it is difficult enough to absorb calories and nutrition, and this diet is *very* restrictive (especially carbs) making it difficult to consume the calories you need. I went from being skinny, to verging on anorexic. But I tolerated my weak and withering condition expecting my 'cure' to kick in any day. The day never arrived. But for you, who knows!? Best of luck on your quest.

I Highly recommend this book for anyone suffering from any kind of inflammation....intestinal or otherwise! My husband has Crohn’s disease and my 4 year old daughter suffers from severe constipation and chronic abdominal upset....after only a week on the diet my daughter began to have regular BM's without strain or pain...and no more complaints of a tummy ache...my husband reports fewer and more solid BM's daily and no more gas pains....Both report a profound increase in energy and clarity of thought. Yes, it is a bit difficult to follow at first....but with these results...it has been well worth the transitions and adjustment to their diet....a month later...it has become a new way of life....a healthy way that is supporting the healing in both my husband and daughters bodies. I can see the diet being a part of their lives indefinitely.....such amazing results thus far! They are both feeling so good that the idea of cheating or going back to their old ways of eating doesn't even cross their minds... The book explains the diet and its foundation in a very simple way and allows the reader to understand the basics of the diet while slowly transitioning to eating the SCD way....best of all, the recipes provided in the book to help you get started actually work and taste great!

Very informative and helpful. The book correctly identified a lot of foods that I was reacting to. Even with less than 100% compliance, I improved quickly. I look forward to experimenting with some of the recipes.

This book was very helpful and the dietary changes recommended were very beneficial. I recommend reading this book and following some of the suggestions.

I found this book to be very scietific concerning diet to over come several bowel diseases. I reccomend the book for anyone dealing with bowel disease to help understand the relationship of digesting foods to cell formulation in the body.