Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) versus Restricted Sucrose Diet


Recently, questions about the SCD have come up with several people, so I decided to revisit that topic.

I am grateful that Elaine Gottschall wrote her book, since that is where I learned of Dr. Poley's research. (She cited his research numerous times). However, Dr. Poley thinks that she may have misinterpreted the results of his research. 

From Dr. Poley's explanation:  The starches are "broken down by pancreatic amylase in the very upper small intestine and are further worked on by glucose-amylase with the end product being glucose, which is then quickly absorbed." Since starches are so quickly absorbed, Dr. Poley doesn't think they are a problem.

 Dr. Poley believes that sucrose is probably digested all along the small intestine.  But at the terminal ileum, where the digesta moves slowly through the valve between the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine (ileocecal valve to the cecum), there is more bacterial activity.  Crohn's disease is commonly found in this area. (see picture below of small intestine and beginning of colon)

I realize that there has been success for some who follow the SCD, but there may be an easier diet to follow that would also work, such as Dr. Poley's recommendations for restricting sucrose.
It is good to be aware though that some people with Crohn's disease may also have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, so it would be necessary to eliminate gluten as well as restricting sucrose.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you will be well.
Blessings,
Martha