The Specific Carbohydrate Diet

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Dr. Lynne August

I have been recommending The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) for years to many patients. The SCD often results in an immediate improvement if you have been diagnosed with celiac, colitis, Crohn’s and IBS. This diet has proven equally effective if you have persistent digestive complaints, e.g. chronic bloating or diarrhea, complaints without satisfactory response to digestive support, enhanced liver function, detoxification, elimination diets, and measures to restore necessary bowel ecology.

The SCD is not to be confused with a low or no carbohydrate diet. The SCD allows carbohydrates that do not contain disaccharides. Disaccharides are molecules made of two sugars. Unless disaccharides are split by disaccharidase enzymes they are converted into toxins by intestinal microorganisms. These toxins not only perpetuate the digestive symptoms and malabsorption, they can also cause tissue and cell damage throughout the body. In other words, toxins resulting from undigested disaccharides may initiate autoimmune reactions to glands and organs.

Disaccharidase enzymes are made in the ‘brush border’, the most superficial cells of the intestinal lining. Any injury to these border cells results in loss of the disaccharidase enzymes. Once there is loss of these enzymes any further ingestion of any disaccharides whatsoever not only perpetuates the digestive symptoms. Ingested disaccharides cause further injury to the intestinal lining. Possible injuries to the intestinal lining include, but are not limited to, infections (parasites, viruses, worms), protein intolerances (e.g., soy, gluten, cow’s milk) ulcerative colitis and possibly lack of healthy bowel ecology.

:: Legal/Illegal SCD Food Lists ::

Be aware the gluten intolerance can be “silent”, that is, you have a positive test in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Silent gluten intolerance can present as iron deficiency, osteoporosis, short stature, type 1 diabetes, autism and autoimmune thyroiditis. “Silent celiac” can also present as neurological conditions, in particular as peripheral neuropathy and ataxia of unknown etiology.

Dr. Lynne August, of Greenfield NH, is the founder and director of Health Equations. She received her Medical Degree from Washington University School of Medicine in 1973. She combined conventional and holistic medicines in private practice for ten years and soon after, founded Health Equations. For almost thirty years, Dr. August has been researching significant influences on health… diet, soil, water, agriculture, food processing and environmental exposures. The inspiration in Lynne’s clinical practice and research comes largely from her experience as a Clinical Researcher at the Institute of Applied Biology in New York. There, Dr. August assisted Scientific Director Emanuel Revici M.D. in research on non-toxic therapeutic lipids. She also draws upon her training and practice in Ayurveda. Prior to her work at the Institute of Applied Biology, Lynne served on the board of the American Holistic Medical Association, researched hyperinsulinism and diabetes and served as the staff physician at a multi-disciplinary research center for children with developmental needs. Dr. August has been widely published. She lectures at physician seminars throughout North America and Europe and hosts seminars for clinical health professionals.