Posted 12/24/2007 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
here is what i wrote in an email on this same topic earlier. it is a very quick and dirty comparison of the 2. there is more to each one than this, but this is the basic gist of both for newbies.
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet
• Scientific investigation of the effects of various sugars on the digestive tract at the cellular level.
• Geared towards celiac disease, crohn’s disease, and other GI diseases/problems, and loosely to autism.
• Connection with food in relation to the brain and behavior.
• Problems from certain foods and the byproducts produced from “harmless” foods create problems in the GI tract – not food allergies.
• The SCD has a holistic goal of re-establishing the healthy balance of intestinal flora. It corrects malabsorption allowing nutrients to enter the bloodstream and be available to cells thereby strengthening the immune system. This is accomplished by depriving the microbes in the gut of food (ie sugars and starches) so it cannot overpopulate the gut.
• Triggers are unknown. Possible sources are microbial overgrowth related to the malabsorption and faulty digestion of carbohydrates.
• The SCD promotes the cave man/hunter-gatherer diet: meat & salad and eliminates ALL sugars and grains (free of grains and milk).
• Strict control of sugars and starches; promotes gluten free diet.
• Sugars: only allowable sugars are simple single sugars (i.e. glucose, or monosaccharides). Examples include fruit, honey, yogurt, and vegetables.
• Disallowed: all grains, milk, rice, corn, potatoes, complex and refined sugars and carbohydrates.
• Beans are ok if they are soaked first for at 10-14 hours to remove indigestible sugars.
• The viscous cycle: impaired digestion of disaccharides – malabsorption of sugars cause bacterial overgrowth – excess mucus production in gut – injury to intestine – repeat.
• Excess mucus production of intestinal cells prevent digestion of disaccharides (double sugars – sucrose). The mucus layer prevents contact between disaccharides and digestive enzymes, hence sugars are not absorbed and processed which results in disease.
The Maker’s Diet
• The Maker’s Diet is based upon the dietary and nutritional laws found in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically Dueteronomy 14 and Leviticus 11.
• Evidence to the benefits of this way of eating is provided by historical observation by medical professionals looking at primitive and ancient cultures and the effect the western diet has on them. They note that the overall health of man declined as we shifted from a hunter-gatherer diet to an agrarian based society. The modern diet produces physical degeneration and is to blame for today’s health problems, poor brain development, and associated social disorders.
• Geared to improve overall health; not specifically tailored for a specific disease or condition.
• Enteric nervous system, our “second brain”, is located in the GI tract. It is independent of the central nervous system, our other brain.
• The state of health is affected by the GI tract.
• Importance of faith.
• Strong emphasis on organic foods – produce, animal products, and processed foods.
• If it was not around in biblical times chances are it is not good for you and is actually harmful to you. Same goes with the preparation and production techniques.
• Grains, seeds, and nuts are allowed as long as they are sprouted.
• Beans are to be soaked for at least 8 hours to remove phytates (enzyme inhibitors on their surface).
• Pork and shellfish are not allowed as they are scavengers.
• Liberal use of refined and processed foods are strongly discouraged.
• Red meat and saturated fat are good for you.
• Raw foods are healthier. This includes not only fruits and vegetables but also dairy (milk and cheese).
• Disallowed foods include genetically modified/bioengineered foods and foods with added hormones, steroids, chemicals, additives, and synthetic ingredients.
• Fasting, detox, and GI cleansing is good for you.
• Emphasis on the importance of good and proper hygiene for good health.
• Sleep is important.
• Recommends supplements: probiotics with HSO, cod liver oil, etc.
• All water should be free of chlorine.
• Reduce/manage stress and negative emotions.
• Other environmental toxins: airborne toxins, body/skin care products.