Have you ever finished a book and wondered, “Where have you been my whole life?”  That was my exact thought as I was reading Elaine Gottschall’s book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.  Well, honestly, maybe not my whole life, but at least since the birth of Isaac, four years ago. 

Both an Applied Kinesiologist and Allergy Specialist diagnosed Isaac with the inability to consume cow milk and wheat.  The latter even suggested Isaac had Celiac disease, but did not recommend the invasive tests required to get a diagnosis.  Either way, Isaac was looking at a life free of gluten and/or wheat and cow milk.

Despite the initial overwhelming feeling of grief, we adapted quite easily to our new lifestyle.  Milking goats, cooking gluten-free meals, reading labels religiously, and accepting Isaac’s intolerances to certain foods.  We have lived this way quite happily for three years.

But then, I heard from my sister-in-law that there is a cure.  A cure?  Why would the doctors not tell us about a cure? 

I thought Celiac disease was a fairly recent problem; however, the first recorded cases were documented during the height of the Roman Empire.  The doctor’s description of the symptoms were almost identical to Isaac’s response to wheat.  It was like he knew Isaac.  Very weird!

In 1888, Dr. Samuel Gee studied Celiac disease.  He found that cow milk was the worst food for one to have with the condition.  Additionally, highly starchy food such as rice and corn meal was also detrimental to the patient.

Really?  Living gluten-free made us rely more heavily on rice and corn as suitable starches.  They came recommended as alternatives to wheat, rye, barley, etc.  I could feel my blood pressure begin to skyrocket.

As far back as 1951, Drs. Sydney and Merrill Haas published Management of Celiac Disease after a long study of treating and curing the disease in at least 600 cases.  They developed the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) to treat and heal the intestines. The medical community was all abuzz.  They honored Dr. Sydney Haas for his contribution to pediatrics. 

So what happened to the cure for Celiac disease?  One year later, six doctors worked together with 10 patients and concluded that it was not starch or carbohydrates that were the problem for Celiac patients, but only gluten.  10 patients versus 600 cured cases!!?  Since removing gluten was much easier than following SCD, it caught on fast.  And here we are today, almost sixty years later only focused on gluten.  Now, I am really mad.

I am now convinced that you can break the vicious cycle.  By healing your gut, you can cure a host of digestive problems and diseases.  The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is not easy, but it is not that hard either when you really look into it.  You are only on it for a period of time, not for life.  “Many cases of celiac disease, spastic colon, and diverticulitis appear to be cured by the end of a year.  Other disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis take much longer with the minimum time of two years on the diet” (pg. 70).

For my family, we will probably only need to be on SCD for one year.  After that time, you slowly introduce the once forbidden foods like potatoes, rice, wheat, etc.  “If these foods appear to be well tolerated, one may decide to return to a regular diet” (pg. 70).  A regular diet!?  Unbelievable!

Reading this book, I also have a better understanding of what they mean by a regular diet.  Regular sure is relative.  It does not mean that you can make McDonalds a part of your daily ritual.  You cannot rely on refined sugars and starches.   With your gut properly healed, you should be able to eat healthy foods without any problems.  Homemade rolls iced with butter, crispy roasted potatoes, a pizza from a restaurant are some are the dishes my family is already looking forward to in a little over a year. 

Read Breaking the Vicious Cycle if anyone in your family suffers from digestive problems, any of the above-named diseases, Autism, or food intolerances.  You can heal your gut and be free from the bathroom.  It is a really exciting prospect.

Tags: autism, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, Celiac disease, crohn's disease, cure for Celiac disease, digestive disorders, Dr. Samuel Gee, Dr. Sydney Haas, Elaine Gottshall, Specific Carbohydrate Diet

This entry was posted on Friday, February 11th, 2011 at 1:37 pm and is filed under Food Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.