Specific Carbohydrate Diet for Inflammatory Bowl Disease

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Medical nutrition therapy can be tricky for individuals suffering from gastrointestinal distress because each case differs substantially and substances that may irritate one person are not bothersome to another. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics completed a case study on patients with Inflammatory Bowl Disease (IBD) and the effects of a specific carbohydrate diet on the disease state of these individuals.
            According to AND’s article, “The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a dietary program that claims to induce and maintain drug-free remission in patients with IBD.” The diet is not considered “low carb” by any means, but rather limits carbohydrate foods to those consisting of only monosaccharaides (glucose, galactose, and fructose). The SCD excludes disaccharides and polysaccharides and is supplemented with homemade yogurt. The diet also includes solid protein foods, fats, high ratio amylose to amylopectin vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
            AND’s case study concluded that following the SCD can be an effective tool for individuals with IBD. It is believed that the elimination of more complex disaccharides and polysaccharides eliminates the problems caused by excessive mucus production, which interferes with the work of brush border enzymes.
            As dietitians, it is important that we are up-to-date on current research studies like this one, which have the potential to be highly beneficial to patients with gastrointestinal issues. Research shows that diet can be an effective method for changing the intestinal environment and micro biome of patients with IBD.

  JW
Kakodkar, S., Farooqui, A. J., Mikolaitis, S. L., & Mutlu, E. A. (2016). The Specific Carbohydrate Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Series. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(8), 1226–1232. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.04.0

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