SCD diet is very similar to the GAPS diet in that it focuses on the effect that gastrointestinal health has on neurological health by removing difficult to digest polysaccharides and disaccharides (types of sugar) from the diet.  These undigested sugars encourage overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria, yeasts, viruses and parasites thereby resulting in gastrointestinal inflammation and a leaky gut. 

SCD promotes the intake of fermented foods and is gluten free.  Casein in certain forms is allowed in later stages of SCD (from cheese, yoghurt and fermented milk) for some individuals.  SCD is often used in combination with gut and psychology syndrome (GAPS) and the body ecology diet (BED) 

 

Recommended reading: “Breaking the Viscous Cycle” by Elaine Gotschall