Get and Stay Well – Nutrition
Gut And Psychology Syndrome (GAPS)
When the digestive system is unwell, instead of being a source of nourishment, it becomes a major source of toxicity in the body and nothing in the body can function well.
The list of GAPS conditions is long, and they are divided into two groups:
- Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS)
- Gut and Physiology Syndrome (GAPS)
Gut and Psychology Syndrome or GAPS includes learning disabilities and mental disorder, such as autism, ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, addictions, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, eating disorders and many other conditions, which affect the function of the brain. Man of these conditions have no established diagnostic labels and present themselves as a mixture of various so called mental symptoms; mood alterations, memory and cognitive problems, behavioral and social problems, panic attacks, anxiety, involuntary movements, various tics and fits, sensory problems etc.
Gut and Physiology Syndrome or GAPS includes various chronic physical conditions, which stem from an unhealthy gut, such as autoimmune conditions (celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type one, MS, lupus, osteoarthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune skin problems etc), atopic conditions (asthma, eczema, various allergies), food allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ME, PMS and other menstrual problems, many endocrine disorders (thyroid, adrenal and other), and all digestive disorders (such as IBS, gastritis and various colitis). Many conditions do not fit into any diagnostic box and can present as a mixture of symptoms; digestive problems, fatigue, muscular weakness, cramps and abnormal muscle tone, pain and ache in joints and muscles, skin problems, hormonal abnormalities.
The GAPS diet has three phases: diet, supplementation & detoxification.
The diet plan is the most important element of the treatment and offers a food list that changes depending on your current program phase. The purpose of the GAPS nutritional component is to heal the gut. There are lots of foods that would have to be eliminated but can easily be replaced with lots of other healthy delicious options. Healthy fats are crucial in the GAPS diet protocol, so are fermented foods, meat broths and other probiotic foods such as yoghurt and kefir.
The supplementation varies a little from person to person, however, probiotics play a vital role. At times no supplements are recommended to start with and only dietary recommendations are made.
Lifestyle changes & detoxification: the removal of other toxins in one’s life will be discussed such as cleaning chemicals and toiletries. Juices, enema’s, Epsom salt baths, skin brushing will be included in the detoxificiation phase.
While it may seem strange or even unbelievable that neurological disorders like autism can be mitigated or even addressed through dietary changes, families that have been dissatisfied by currently available treatments have flocked to the GAPS diet, and many have experienced improvement.
