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What is "GAPS"?
Gut and Psychology Syndrome is a condition which recognises a link between the gut and the brain. Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride MD MMedSci (neurology) MMedSci (human nutrition) established her dietary and detox treatment protocol by trial and error to help her son who was at that time on the autistic spectrum. It has been found to be helpful by many children and adults with conditions such as autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD), schizophrenia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bi-polar disorder and other neuro-psychological and psychiatric problems.
Many people with more 'physical' conditions also find a benefit, especially allergies, food intolerances gastrointestinal disorders and heart conditions.
Katharine focuses on children and adults with digestive disorders, autism and ADHD, and people interested in detoxing. She offers a complimentary (no-fee) introductory consultation to those new to, or stuck on, GAPS by phone - please go to the How to Make Contact & Bookings page
GAPS is a nutritional protocol with several stages designed to
enable the gut to heal. It does this by removing for a period
from the diet certain irritants to the gut (grains and the
starchier vegetables) and replacing them with highly nutritious
home-made soups and bone broths, which provide the nutrients needed
for healing the intestinal wall and nourishing the body in
general. More foods are added as the digestion
improves. The diet emphasises probiotics and fermented foods
and drinks, which slowly build and balance immune
function.
In the experience of Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride over decades and
of the growing body of practitioners she has trained in different
parts of the world, healing the gut puts an end to the 'river of
toxicity' which according to the GAPS method circulates in the
bloodstream and is thought to be the root cause of many chronic
conditions, physical and psychological/behavioural, affecting
adults and children.
There are two diets: the stricter Introduction Diet and the Full
GAPS Diet which allows a wider range of ‘GAPS-legal’ foods.
The Introduction Diet is recommended for anyone with diarrhoea of
any origin, people with severe digestive problems, people with
severe allergies and food intolerances, children on the autistic
spectrum, children diagnosed with diabetes type one or celiac
disease, children and adults with severe learning disabilities.
The Full GAPS Diet is recommended for anyone with a tendency to
constipation, anyone who travels a lot or feels the Introduction
Diet would be too restrictive within their lifestyle, for older
children without severe digestive problems such as children with
ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, for people hesitant to change their
diet.
Some people move from one diet to the other from time to
time.
GAPS cooking and food preparation involves considerable effort at
the beginning, though once the new methods become habitual they
tend to find a place and become second nature. Because of the
health benefits people generally find, many choose to continue on
the GAPS diet longterm. Others gradually return to a more
mainstream diet, with the option of occasionally building in a
period of GAPS eating if old symptoms return.
In addition to the dietary protocols Dr Campbell-McBride recommends
certain supplements for specific groups of people. Alongside
the diet she strongly advises certain gentle but effective
detoxification methods.
The GAPS website www.gaps.me is extremely
comprehensive with extensive frequently asked questions, recipes,
resources etc. GAPS can be undertaken with or without the
guidance of a practitioner.
"I have suffered chronic gastritis for twenty years.
Strictly and diligently following GAPS Introduction Diet for the
past two months has allowed me to live heartburn-free and to enjoy
a better quality life day and night. Thank you Katharine for
your amazing support and guidance"
DS, Knightsbridge
Some Evidence
GAPS features on the CAM ((Complementary and Alternative Medicine)) for doctors site - follow the link: CAM for Doctors and scroll down to Gut and Psychology - the Bacterial Link
Dr Mercola explores possible causes of autism and the role of GAPS here
The Scientific American journal explores how Gut
Bacteria May Play a Role in Autism - click
here
A literature review finds a new paradigm emerging:
Autistic Spectrum Disorder as a Multisystem Disorder,
including Metabolic Impairments -
read the evidence
here
Oxidative Stress in Autism: How might the
brain be affected by gut issues? This and much more is
discussed, including some of the supplements given children with a
diagnosis of autism, in
this paper
Study finds alterations in both blood-brain barrier and intestinal permeability in individuals with autism - found out more by clicking here
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