Rating: 
Summary: Changed My Life!
Review: I have an intestinal disorder. By following the diet, I have improved my quality of life by 100%++ It works and I have all my guts still in me; which would have been removed if this book did not work. This book really works! I can't say enough about it.
Rating: 
Summary: Be Careful!
Review: I have has ulcerative colitis for over twenty years. I have two children who have the disease as well. I totally understand the desire to feel better when One has this disease. I bought this book on a recommendation. I followed the diet to the letter(really did). I got much worse very fast. I ended up having emergency ostomy surgery after following this diet for several months. I have seen on the email discussion group for this book that some people do have good results from this diet. Just be careful because it does not help everyone and may harm as well.
Rating:
Summary: This book can change your life!
Review: Elaine's many devoted followers are a testament to the diet's effectiveness. Several have tried the diet and failed, however, the majority of chronic Chrones Disease and Ulcerative Colitis sufferers who have read this book and strictly adhered to the diet have overcome their debilitating symptoms and gone on to lead normal lives. An internet listserver where followers of the diet exchange recipes, advice and interpretation exists as a support mechanism to avoid "cheating." Further reviews can be found at (http://www.inform.dk/djembe/scd/scd006_2.html)
I took one point off for the fact that the book could do a better job of getting people started on the diet, which is when their systems are the most sensitive. Also, there are some(few)ambiguities, but these have been addressed (SEE http://www.inform.dk/djembe/scd/scd002.html) by those of us on the diet. Being a chronic ex-sufferer of ulcerative colitis, I can attest to the fact that the diet has minimised my symptoms, alleviated the need for medication, and given me a great deal of self confidence in the discipline and subsequent triumph of attaining such a high level of health.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read for Anyone with Crohns, Colitis, & IBD
Review: Breaking the Vicious Cycle is a must read for anyone with Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative
Colitis, Diverticulitis, Celiac Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and Chronic Diarrhea. Even if you do not
follow her plan, it is simply a book which is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Elaine
Gottschall's daughter had Crohn's Disease at a young age. She is now fine. The diet is one which
has no di or polysaccharides. Though this diet is tough, it seems to be right on the mark. The
concept is to starve anaerobic bacteria residing in the intestinal tract. It is quite interesting that
antibiotics are now being used more prevalently and effectively in the treatment of Crohn's,
Stomach Ulcers, and other digestive problems. Her approach is simply a healthier, cleaner one
which focuses solely on diet.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone suffering from IC, Chrons or IBS
Review: What a wonderful book! Like so many with UC & Crohn's, we were told diet played no part in the onset of the disease in our 17-year-old daughter. The diagnosis was a shocker - she was always so healthy! We started the diet as a family 5 months after the diagnosis - my husband discovered his own IBS drastically improved, and our daughter cut meds to very low dose. Every time she's "cheated" on this diet for extended periods she's had a flare - each one more major that the last. Yes, it's hard to stick to it - she's in college now and has to pass up the hamburgers, fries, pizza, pasta, cheesecake, etc, that all her friends are eating. I don't know if she'll have to stick to it all her life - I just know she spent 11 weeks of her senior year in high school out sick - 9 days in the hospital being fed interveineously, after losing 30 lbs. - and the doctor talking of removing her colon or putting her on IMURAN. Read this book - if you care enough about yourself to stick to this diet, it may change your life!
Rating:
Summary: This diet gave me back my health
Review: 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 . 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Two children, same disease, different results
Review: Myself and two of my children have Celiac Disease, and my mother gave me this book as soon as she found it. I changed from the regular Celiac Diet (which is just "Gluten-Free") and have been on this diet for over a year. My oldest child, age 8, looks emaciated and sick. He has barely gained weight and has dark circles under his eyes. His face looks drawn and sallow. As for my youngest child, age 5, he is exactly the opposite. He has gained weight. A lot of weight. So much weight, the doctor told me he was obese and he needed to go on a diet! And for me? I gained twenty pounds (Eek!)and my face is constantly broken out. Not to mention the wonderful GAS that we all have on a constant basis.
However, in defense of this book, I must say that the diet is good. I like that there aren't any processed foods or sugar, and that there are recipes to make normal looking food, like bread (just add 1/2 cup honey and the bread tastes fantastic). But don't try either of the pizza recipes, they are absolutely HORRIBLE. Even my fat kid wouldn't eat it, and obviously he likes to eat. If you are desparate for pizza, go to a health food store and buy the Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Garbanzo and Fava Flour and make it out of that. Much better.
What I have decided is to mix this Diet and the regular Celiac Diet together and find the mix that is right for us. I recommend that you buy this book and find the mix that is right for you, too.
Rating:
Summary: BOOK SAVED OUR DAUGHTER
Review: We almost lost our beautiful, once healthy 24-year old daughter to ulcerative colitis just last year. Anyone who is familiar with this disease knows how debilitating, frustrating and embarassing it can be. Doctors say 'Eat what you want, it doesn't matter...' Don't believe it!!!! We saw rapid improvement by following the protocol in this wonderful book, and now, a year later we have our daughter back, healthy, happy and radiant. We cannot praise this book and its author enough! If you have GI disease, you have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain by reading this book and trying the SCD Diet. This was our last-ditch effort, and the only thing that worked!
After eliminating my coffee habit with the help of a wonderful coffee substitute made from soya beans called "Soyffee", I'm feeling so much better. My doctor recommended it to help lower my cholesterol and promote strong bones. It's available online at www.S o y c o f f e e.com to find it.
Rating:
Summary: Elaine is a Goddess
Review: Elaine's book has helped many of my friends and family. My father has Chron's, my son has recovered from Autism, and I have food hypersensitivites and the SCD diet worked on all of us. I also own a private school and I contstantly tell parents of children with AD(H)D, Autism, skin issues, Asthma, etc about therapies that include the SCD Diet (and have them read this book). I have been to several (DAN!) conference where Elaine has been a speaker and I have the highest respect for her.
The book is an easy read and is packed full of ways to cook for your loved ones. It combines science with practical application.
I am thankful to Elaine for her work and for her book.
All the best - Stan Kurtz
Rating:
Summary: A true Godsend!
Review: I was just like you...researching all the books here on Amazon.com for something that would tell me what to eat and what not to eat so I could get some kind of relief from the pain and horrible discomfort of Crohn's! My doctor provided as much help and percriptions as she could but could give me absolutly no advise on what to and what not to eat (that wouldn't hurt!). Well, she was right about one thing, food doesn't seem to cause the illness (which shocked me!) but certain food do irritate or exasperate the inflamation that already exisits!
I read all the high reviews of this book and since I had nothing else to lose, ordered it. I read it. It made a lot of sense. And then I did the hardest thing...I made a decision to implement the diet. The first week was difficult because I wasn't used to the "restrictions"...they seemed so unusual. But, all I can tell you is that it worked!! the first few days my "D" turned green and like water, but that cleared up after a week or two and then 90% of all my cramping, bloating, and swelling and "D" stopped.
All I can say is to trust the diet! Trust these reviews. Your own recovery will be different than mine, but you will have recovery and relief from the intense pain!! The book also has a wonderful website with lots of links and forums for us to support each other.
Best Wishes...
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