Crohn's disease and the Maker's Diet

Which supplement- the "essential soil organisms"?

The author denies it, but it seems likely he was ultimately helped through carbohydrate restriction. Elaine Gottschall ("Breaking the Vicious Cycle") coached him through his disease; he got better later, and doesn't attribute her work quite so much as he probably should.

Another strongly recommended book- "Life Without Bread." It is an English translation of a book written by an Austrian gastroenterologist who has successfully treated a large number of patients with CD and related maladies. The diet is very straightforward, so I'll save you the cover charge: limit total carbohydrates to no more than 72 grams/day. That's it. The data he provides cite an 85% remission rate after three years- a rate identical to that of Atkins, who reported the same thing for his Crohn's patients who were on carbohydrate restriction.

The reason it works so well for at least some people is pretty straightforward, if Ebringer's theory is correct: get the starch out of the diet. Starch is acted upon by klebsiella overgrowth in the gut, which in turn causes the production of an enzyme called pullulanase. This enzyme is a structural mimic of the body's collagen. When your body is sensitized to the proteins produced by klebsiella, it is also sensitized to your own collagen. This collagen is found in- among other places- your intestines. This is how eating too much starch can lead to gut problems. Similarly, your joints are loaded with collagen, explaining why many Crohnies get arthralgia.

And the reason why injectable TNF drugs like Humira and Remicade work? They were originally designed to help shut down the cytokine storm in sepsis. And one of the leading causes of sepsis is Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. The lipopolysaccharide shell of these Gram negative organisms is what sets off the hypovolemic shock, causing death. Research in the 1980s showed that a polyclonal antibody (the abovementioned TNF alpha inhibitors) can greatly reduce mortality in mice injected with E. coli. Somehow that morphed into treating Crohn's patients- now a multi-$billion industry.

But I digress.

Harry, you make some good points. Note that the "ultra low" concentrations of carbs for Atkins that you cite are for induction. They're to throw the patient into ketosis, which is a pretty sudden shock. The idea is that the patient begins weight loss quickly, which provides a metric of success. The patient then titers up (slowly increases) the quantity of carbs until such time that they achieve a steady weight, and they can enjoy some small amount of sugar or starch. Many people settle out at 70-100 grams/day, which- as noted by Lutz- is a fine starting place if you want to skip the induction and just reduce your intake.

In reality, many people may find relief from this disease by ditching grains and potatoes, and then slowly weaning themselves away from sugary junk food, anything to reduce the carbs.

Agreed, Harry. The 19th will be my 1-year mark on this diet. My blood values are normal, and I've been off prescription drugs for 11 months. No bleeding in at least 3-4 months. Back to exercising, and my weight is exactly where it should be. I can go on caving trips with no discomfort! I am starting to consume more foods that previously were sketchy for me, like cashews.

I believe I am particularly fortunate in that I got diagnosed quickly after I showed obvious signs of illness, and that I started the diet (much against the advice of my physician) 16 days after my endoscopy- the day the biopsy results came in and the nurse called me to inform me I needed to get chest films and skin tests, prepping me for immunomodulation. No TNF inhibitors for me, thank you.

I just want you to know that these diets don't work for everyone. But many have had success with them too. The only way you will know if it works for you or not is to try it. But my understanding is you have to stay very strictly to it for it to work. I live on a low residue diet and it works well for me. JMHO

hmmm, I wanted to try detox clay, but I'm nervous to. lol.

I have been researching the carbohydrate connection - I feel that the SCD is too restrcitive for me in many ways (to really stick to) but the carb ceiling really intrigues me and seems doable. I think I will lose weight too because breads justseem to bloat me and make me miserable (although i love them!) I'm curious if anyone knows how specific you need to get in counting carbs to maintain a ceiling of around 80-100. Obviously you will count any crackers, breads and cereals, etc. if they are eaten. It's easy for packaged foods with nutritional labeling but seems to me it gets more complex with natural foods like fruits and veggies. What would be a good source for that type of information? Today, I ate soft cooked oats with a tsp. of honey, a few dried cranberries, and a handful of chopped walnuts for breakfast and realized already am at 28 grams for the day. Wow!

downgarden, you are inspiring and I'm so glad you are now symptom free. Thank you for the tips and I'm going to have bacon for breakfast today! Eating more fat does seem counter to everything I've ever known about weight and Crohns... but I am willing to learn and do this. I have the SCD book, but think I will buy the LWB book too, since there are so many references to it on the forum. Any other good references?

One other question for anyone out there - I really am very busy at home with my family and my part-time job, plus homeschooling, so is there ANY commercial yoghurt that is half-way ok for consumption? It would make my life easier if I felt I could purchase that one thing from the store on a regualr basis. I know I need to incorporate more of the good yoghurt into my diet and my family's overall, but I'm not very consistent with making it... I have several natural foods stores, plus Wegman's, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's not too far from my home, in case any one of those carries anything that would do me ok.

Harry
Im completely med free and no symptoms. Now you cant say never talked to anyone.
Id say Im more than 100%, since 100% is based on average carb junkies (ACJ) who sleeps 9 hours a day and wake up tired. I run half a mile a day and sleep 5 hours a night waking up fully energized.


busycrohnsmom
Going high fat has to be done while lowering carbs, otherwise youll get extremely fat extremely fast.
Going to high on animal protein and not enough veggies can give symptoms. Adding spinach, brussel sprouts, asparagus, eggplant or cucumber is important so that so balance the acid production of meat/fat.
It will keep your joints from being inflammed and take away acidity in stool. (took me three months to figure out)

Another good source is a guy called crohnsboy you can easily find his website on google.
Then there are tons of people.I only listed some on my website.

about the yoghurt
First time it takes about an hour to make, secound time 20 minutes third time 5 minutes, because you learn how to make it. Its really easy.
For example making one batch in a yoghurt maker if eating one a day that is 7 days of youghurt for the exchange of 5 minute work. And NO there is no commercial yoghurt anywhere that is legal,commercial yoghurt will all make you worse.

Having 6 kids and fighting like this I gotta say you´re awesome

This is very inspiring reading for me. I have been knowing the SCD diet for 10 years now and i have been reading life without bread 5 years ago.

I just was not ready at the time to restrict my diet.

However I have just recently startet living after the Life without bread principle or similar to that (1 of august 2011) I have been reading "The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sisson and am now doing a diet which incorporates different aspects of both the Life without bread and Primal Blueprint.

I avoid bread, potatoes, rice, sugar, corn.

I eat vegetables - also root vegetables. Lots of eggs in the weekends and meat and vegetables for normal everyday dinner.
At lunch I eat from the food at my works canteen but only meat, vegetables and eggs.

In the last 3 weeks I have been eating flax seed bread for breakfast on work days with butter and cheese. http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/breads/r/flaxbasicfoc.htm

The primal Blueprint says 100-150 g. of carbs a day all to come from vegetables, nuts and seeds which I think should be okay when I dont eat other kinds of carbs.

For snacks I eat nuts, cream with frozen berries, a piece of dark chocolate or freshly shredded apples with chopped almonds, a bit of chopped dark chocolate (70%) and whipped cream.

I dont do the snacking on apples and berries much, besides occasional in my weekends.

I just dont seem to get any noticeable breakthrough on controlling my diarrhoea besides that the 2 years on remicade has brought the frequency down to 2.

I have been sick for 17 years now with crohn's disease and all the time have had 4-5 times to toilet a day. Much bad smell and very much liquid.
I did 10 years without meds. but had to do something because my intestines was worsening to a degree that I could not expect to live a (normal) life any further without action.

Only last 2 years when having remicade treatment have I been much better gaining 16 kg. of weight but my bad stomach hasnt disappeared. Better but not disappeared

Should I just continue doing what I am doing and have patience?

Im getting a little frustrated here. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Would the Remicade slow my healing process on a low carb diet?

In the beginning after incorporating this new way of life I did however fell better energy and i have tried to wake up after 6 hours of sleep and feeling more rested than I did before after 9 hours. I did feel that i gained strength in the beginning but now I feel like I have weakened. I would so much want to get really active again and do workouts and build muscles. But 6 month on Imurel (Worst drug ever taken) destroyed my really good condition and made me feel really really bad also worsening my diarrhoea so I have stopped taking this in July without noticing my doctor because i didnt get any response when I told the nurse that i suddenly had stomach pain very unusual to me. And he did not take it serious that my liver count was quite high. Last week I got a letter that my liver count is now back to normal again (Surprise) I dont eat your crabby medicine anymore.

Have anyone got experience with flax seed bread? Lately I had some cramping that I never experienced before. But at the same time I could connect it to eating either bread or rice the night before because I was invited to dinner.
Could it be so that bread or rice freaks my body out more than ever because I dont eat it anymore than once a month or so now.

Dont know what I want from this post actually.

Just annoying that i dont get results fast like somebody does.

I have been ignoring the yoghurt after trying to make it for 14 days but it kind of makes me angry and annoyed when I eat it.

Never had any milk because it upsets my stomach badly.

Post Edited (HSand) : 10/19/2011 5:38:54 AM (GMT-6)

Hello All,

This is an old topic, but I'm wondering if any original posters (or new people) are still finding success with Guts to Glory and the Maker's Diet?

I've been low carb for years, managing what I thought was pouchitis (originally UC diagnosis). I'm now told it's likely Crohns. I haven't started treatment yet and have been on Guts to Glory for about a month. My symptoms have been relatively moderate, and have improved since starting Guts to Glory. I am just a few days into Phase Two.

straydog said...
I clicked on some of the names & the members have not been on here in a quite some time. You may get more coverage by starting your own thread rather than bringing up an old thread.

Take care.

Got it. Thank you!