The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is promoted as for the treatment of a number of chronic illnesses, mainly those of an auto-immune nature. Illnesses which the SCD has been used for include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), diverticulitis, autism, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, Candida overgrowth, and many more.

The main dictates of the SCD are that the patient eliminate complex carbohydrates (disaccharides and polysaccharides) as well as lactose above a significant amount.

The diet was originally developed by Dr. Sydney Haas but was popularized by Elaine Gottschall's book Breaking the Vicious Cycle. Gottschall was inspired to write the book and promote the diet after her own daughter's successful management of ulcerative colitis using the SCD.

According to Breaking the Vicious Cycle the rationale of the diet is as follows:

1. When the body receives complex carbohydrates (disaccharides or polysaccharides) these substances must be broken down before they can be absorbed.
2. In the body of a person who is not able to break these substances down efficiently, an influx of undigested material causes harmful bacteria to flourish.
3. Bacterial overgrowth is accordingly followed by a significant increase in the waste and other irritants they produce.
4. Irritation in the lining of the digestive tract results in the overproduction of mucus and injury to the digestive tract, which in turn causes malabsorption and makes it even more difficult to maintain proper digestion.

The purpose of the diet is to break the ongoing cycle caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut, a condition well known to researchers as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO). The SCD assumes that the body is able to absorb the proper nutrients from simple sugars and other easily carbohydrates, the inflammation and other complications caused by many auto-immune diseases can be lessened. The goal is to rid the body of complex saccharides so that the gut will be able to heal itself and enable further healing to occur.

The aim of the diet therefore is to keep the gut flora in balancre and to allow the gut to digest all of the food it is given, thereby starving out the harmful bacteria.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is similar to the the anti-fungal diet but allows foods containing simple sugars such as fruits as well as fermented foods such as cheese, which the latter does not. Both have similar aims and are often recommended or the same conditions.

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The anti-fungal or anti-yeast diet is aimed at curbing the growth of yeasts such as Candida albicans in the gut which some believe can grow out of control due to factors such as the use of antibiotics, the contraceptive pill, and immunosupressive drugs such as corticosteroids. This overgrowth of yeast it is supposed then leads to a host of symptoms and consequences for an individual's health. It is commonly suggested that Candida overgrowth is involved in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia for example.

Yeasts such as Candida albicans feed on sugars and ferment them to form ethanol (drinking alcohol) and its even more toxic breakdown product acetaldehyde. They also produce numerous other toxins as by-products of their metabolism.

Based on the above in the early 1980s Dr. William G. Crook in his book 'The Yeast Connection', and his contemporary Dr. John Parks Trowbridge in his own book 'The Yeast Syndrome', formulated diets aimed at starving yeasts of the sugars which they need to thrive. The aim being to reduce their numbers, bring the intestinal flora back into balance, and restore health to the patient (usual in combination with other measures such as antifungal medications).

It is also thought that those with a Candida/yeast problem will have developed allergies/sensitivities to molds and mold products so foods containing these must also be avoided.

A typical anti-fungal/anti-yeast diet recommends the following:

Foods that must be avoided

Sugar & sugar containing foods:
Table sugar (sucrose) and all other simple, fast releasing sugars such as fructose, lactose, maltose, glucose, mannitol and sorbitol. All honey and sugar syrup type products such as maple syrup and molasses. This also includes all candies, sweets, cakes, cookies etc.

High sugar fruits:
Pineapple, mango, banana etc

Packaged and processed foods:
This includes canned, bottled, boxed and otherwise processed and pre-packaged foods as they more often than not contain sugar of one type or another.

Examples:

Canned - Baked beans, soups, ready-made sauces

Bottled - Soft drinks, fruit juices, condiments/sauces

Boxed/Packaged - Ready-made meals, breakfast cereals, chocolate/candy, ice cream, frozen foods.

Mold and yeast containing foods:

Cheeses: moldy cheeses like stilton are the worst, buttermilk, sour cream and sour milk products.

Alcoholic drinks: beer, wine, cider, whiskey, brandy, gin and rum.

Condiments: vinegar and vinegar containing foods like mayonnaise, pickles, soy sauce, mustard and relishes.

Malt products: cereals, candy and malted milk drinks.

Edible fungi: including all types of mushrooms and truffles.

Processed and smoked meats: sausages, hot dogs, corned beef, pastrami, smoked fish, ham, bacon.

Fruit juices: All packaged fruit juices may potentially contain molds. Fresh fruit juices are allowed only in moderation due to their sugar content.

Dried fruits: raisins, apricots, prunes, figs, dates etc.

Foods to be eaten in moderation

Grains: Wheat, rice, corn, barley, millet, oats.

High carbohydrate vegetables and legumes: sweet corn, potatoes, beans and peas, lentils, sweet potatoes, squashes, turnips, parsnips.

Fruits: low sugar types such as berries.

Foods to be eaten freely

Animal products: meat, fish, seafood, eggs

Low carbohydrate vegetables: brocolli, spinach, cauliflower, kale, onion, leek, asparagus etc

Nuts and seeds: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, low carb and low mold nuts

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