After a brief delay in posting on my blog because of family illness, I am delighted to again offer a little bit of the information that has transformed my own health. I have an autoimmune disorder called “Henoch Schonlein Purpura” – a fancy name for a problem that can impact my joints, my digestive system, the blood vessels under my skin and in my brain as well as my quality of life. A “flare up” can potentially railroad my life and force me to slow down to a snail’s pace – something I resist in every way that I can.

As I have followed religiously the SPECIFIC CARBOHYDATE DIET, my symptoms have almost totally disappeared. The diet isn’t always easy (sometimes it is downright challenging!) but the difference it has made in my health makes it all worth it. The diet consists of eating vegetables, fruits, meats and fish, some types of legumes as well as nuts and honey. The foods that are avoided are anything that falls into the category of a complex carbohydrate.

WHAT IS A COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATE?

Any foods that contain long chains of sugars that your body needs to digest are eliminated from the diet. The reason for this is that the enzyme amylase that digests these foods is often impacted when the gastrointestinal tract is inflamed. The little finger like projections on the bowel wall that hold this enzyme are flattened and covered with mucous and thus foods requiring this enzyme are left undigested. This creates irritation, increases inflammation and allows harmful bacteria to overgrow. This can result in a multitude of symptoms including joint inflammation, diarrhea and/or constipation, headaches, and bladder irritation along with both behavioural and emotional challenges.

The foods that are avoided include all grains (including rice), potatoes, starchy vegetables, and some types of legumes. Baking is done, instead, with ground almond flour which creates the most amazing cakes, waffles, and treats you can imagine. As well, most people find it helpful to avoid dairy products in the beginning although some people can tolerate home made yoghurt or dairy foods without any lactose.

If you have any type of autoimmune disorder, I encourage you to consider giving this diet a try. It can potentially transform the lives of people with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and many other problems where the digestive system is the trigger. It is easier and safer than taking yet another drug and infinitely easier than trying to live with the many symptoms of your problem.

The SPECIFIC CARBOHYDATE DIET is also the diet that is most often recommended for children with autism. Although removing dairy and gluten can often make some difference, often the removal of all grains for a period of time is what offers the most help.

If you are curious about the idea of this diet, please email me and let’s have a conversation. I am pleased to share my own personal experience as well as the 25 years of experience I have had with many clients committed to improving their own health.