MaxMilian said...
Do UC sufferers only respond to the SCD when their UC is caused by an imbalance in their bacterial flora? (such as that caused by over use of antibiotics etc.)? Because isn't the idea behind the SCD to nourish the body in such a way so that the bad bacteria are killed and the good bacteria have the chance to regenerate?
I cannot state like Elaine Gothscall does that UC is caused by an imblance in our gut flora. But it is known that bacteria play a role in an active UC. Could be a cause for UC, could be an effect - most of the studies made state that we have less types of bacterias in our gut than normal people. Anyway it seems the UC people "don't like" their own bacteria. Probably our immune system reacts to most of the anaerobic bacterias in our lower colon, hence a vicyous cycle of inflammation (wich can be also triggered or entertained by other factors - stress, diet, our immune response). Her theory is the one you described: starve the bad bacteria, stop the vicyous cycle and let the gut heal by himself.
The role of bacteria in UC is highlighen by the succes (even temporary) fecal transplant has on most of UC patients that tried it.
I also do not think that SCD is a cure, more like a way to help us achieve remission (probably a temporary but long remission).
Anyway, during 2010 i've been mostly on SCD (a varriant of it, called NSD - no starch diet - more drastic, since it excludes most of the foods wich contain starch even in minimmum qtty). It helped my UC, but must of all it helped my AS. My joints feel more better whyle on SCD.
Hope my answer prooves satisfactory.