Life Without Bread Life Without Bread: How a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Can Save Your Life How a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Can Save Your Life by Wolfgang Lutz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maybe 4 stars is a little generous, but this book did help round out some understanding that I needed. I first read "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet." "Life Without Bread" was also recommended by a friend. It has some interesting information on the many health benefits of a low carb diet. It also has a guide in the appendix which will help you determine your total carbohydrate intake.

I do not follow health fads, so it took a bit of convincing for me to change my mindset on what I felt was a potentially dangerous diet that many people used to lose weight. I am following a similar diet to help with ulcerative colitis, and it definitely does help. I don't have a grain allergy, and I don't have celiac disease. I also have never noticed any negative physical symptoms after eating bread. But after following a limited carb diet for over a month I feel much better (I actually started feeling better almost immediately).

The authors recommend 6 bread units per day (or 72 grams total utilizable carbs). This is pretty limited carbs, but technically would allow bread and other starches, fruits, vegetables, and sugars, as long as it is within the allowed amount. The diet I follow is slightly different in that it doesn't allow any grains, sugar, starch, or liquid milk. It does allow other carbs, such as vegetables and fruit, honey, etc. My diet doesn't specifically limit the grams, but suggests a healthy, balanced variety of foods. I have appreciated reading "Life Without Bread" because it introduced the idea of how important it is to limit the amount of carbs. I think both aspects are really important to be successful in healing intestinal disease, if that's your goal.

One complaint I have of the book is the emphasis on evolution, and the authors' attempt to tie that in with how well we digest grains, etc. I don't believe we descended from apes, therefore the authors lost some credibility with me.

I did appreciate the authors' review of many studies, and their explanation of how these have sometimes been used to mislead the public regarding health advice, such as doctors recommending a low-fat diet for someone who suffers from heart disease. I learned that the heart functions almost exclusively through the nutrient of fat, and the importance of animal fat in our diet. I've always been sceptical of foods with "fake" fat and "fake" sugar. I've also never bought into the "dangers" of eggs, butter, and other foods that are natural. So I enjoyed feeling validated in some things that I have always believed.

I admire those who are willing to go against conventional beliefs despite the harm that often comes to their professional reputation among those in the mainstream. There is a lot of good health and nutritional knowledge to be gained if you go to the right sources, and do some thinking for yourself. The best advice is not always the most convenient to follow. And just because we see news headlines making health claims, it does not mean that they are true. No big surprise there.

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Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gottschall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elaine Gottschall wrote this book because of her desire to help the many people who suffer from intestinal diseases. Her daughter was one of those people. The author eventually was led to a doctor who was able to help her daughter through diet, and she completely recovered after following the diet strictly for several years. Elaine Gottschall devoted her life to furthering her own education in this field, adding to the existing research, and spreading the information to as many victims of the disease as she could. Thousands of people have benefitted from her selfless service, despite the fact that the medical field still does not give any (or enough) recognition to the role that food has in all of these diseases.

Although the book was written years ago, it has been reprinted many times and has been translated into several languages. The author died in 2005, but her contribution continues to help people. Those who are interested in addtional support can find several websites referenced in the book which are quite active with support groups, recipes, resources and information, such as www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info.

I've been following the recommended diet for a little over and month, and I was able to see improvement almost immediately. I love a comment that the author made (quoted in a different book) about the reality of either living with the disease, or making the commitment to follow the diet plan -- she admitted that you will spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but isn't that better than spending all your time in the bathroom?! I would have to agree. She also says that unless you are willing to follow the diet with "fanatical adherence" you might as well not bother. It's really an all or nothing undertaking. For the intestinal tract to heal it needs to be totally free from the foods that cause the problems to be perpetuated (sugar, starch, grains, certain dairy products, etc.). Eventually, once there is complete healing (after 1-2 years, or more) many people can reintroduce grains and other foods into their diet. I'm hoping that includes me!

I heartily recommend the book, and wish anyone well who is working towards a healthier and happier existence!

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