The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) is an eating plan that restricts complex carbohydrates.
It was first developed many decades ago for the management ofceliac disease.
The elder Haas noted certain carbohydrates than others were better tolerated by his patients with celiac disease.
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He went on to develop the SCD as a treatment.
The treatment is avoiding foods that contain gluten.
The eating plan became more popular in the 1990s when Elaine Gottschall popularized it.
Gottschall was searching for a treatment for her daughter, who lived with severeulcerative colitis.
She worked with Sidney Haas to use his SCD plan as a treatment.
Gottschall’s daughter improved on the diet.
Gottschall went on to earn degrees in biochemistry and cell biology and continued to study the SCD.
However, simple carbohydrates are still allowed.
Thedigestive systemcontains many different types of bacteria (which are part of the gutmicrobiome).
Keeping them in balance is important because some types can cause symptoms if theygrow too numerous.
The theory of the SCD is that complex carbohydrates become food for potentially harmful bacteria.
Therefore, avoiding certain carbohydrates may starve the harmful bacteria and allow beneficial types to flourish.
Other food types avoided on the SCD include processed foods, food additives, preservatives, and sugar.
Some of these types of foods have been shown to contribute to inflammation.
Its thought that avoiding these foods might also help with symptoms within the digestive tract.
Simple carbohydrates, which are easier to digest, are allowed on the SCD.
The SCD is an eating plan with several progressive steps leading to a maintenance phase.
It is meant to be used long-term to control symptoms.
A diet that is too restrictive could lead to a lack of nutrients.
A healthcare provider can give direction to avoidmalnutrition.
Starting the SCD begins with an introductory diet.
This diet is followed for two to five days, depending on when symptoms begin to improve.
The introductory diet is restrictive.
For informational purposes only, here is a broad outline of foods included in the various stages.
The plan begins with an introductory period of two to five days.
Stage 5 is the maintenance phase that includes all the foods on the allowed list.
What Conditions Can the SCD Help With?
Diet is notoriously difficult to study.
There are still not a lot of trials on eating plans as a treatment for various diseases and disorders.
However, the Mediterranean diet is less restrictive than the SCD.
A higher CRP level can indicate more active disease.
There is currently little data to support the use of the SCD for autism in children.
One study showed that autistic children did well on the diet and had improved gut symptoms.
But there is a need for more evidence.
There is also a concern that the SCD is restrictive and could lead to nutrient deficiencies in children.
The 73 participants in the study were randomized to one of these eating plans.
Its also important to note that these challenges are not only found when following the SCD.
However, the low-FODMAP diet is typically recommended only for IBS.
Cost
Adhering to the diet may mean an increase in food costs.
Some of the disallowed foods tend to be less expensive than allowed foods.
Strictly following the allowed foods may increase the grocery bill for some people.
Time
There is a time component to understanding and implementing the SCD.
Some foods will need to be created at home from fresh ingredients.
Plus, understanding the list of allowed foods and consulting it will take effort, especially in the beginning.
One study showed that people spent about 11 hours preparing food each week.
Traveling or Dining Out
Finding SCD legal foods may be challenging when traveling or when socializing.
Weight Loss
Limiting carbohydrates may cause weight loss in some people.
However, a few children in the study had concerning weight loss.
Nutritional Deficiencies or Malnutrition
The SCD is considered a low carbohydrate diet.
Should You Try the SCD?
Whether you want to give the SCD a try depends upon several factors.
Discuss it with a healthcare provider to determine if it’s appropriate for you or your child.
Sometimes, a healthcare provider may think it is unlikely to be harmful.
Diet is an important part of the quality of life.
This is also worth taking into consideration when deciding to try the SCD.
Potential drawbacks to using the SCD, include getting enough calories, vitamins, and minerals.
However, there may be benefits.
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“Management of Celiac Disease.”
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