GAPS
Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAP Syndrome or GAPS) is a condition that establishes a connection between the functions of the digestive system and the brain. This term was created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride in 2004 after working with hundreds of children and adults with neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as
autistic spectrum disorders (autism), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD), schizophrenia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, obsessive –compulsive disorder, bi-polar disorder and other neuro-psychological and psychiatric problems.
In additions to the conditions mentioned above GAPS diet can be very effective in dealing with many health issues such as:
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
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Autoimmune conditions
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Diabetes
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Digestive problems
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Food allergies
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Adrenal fatigue
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Weight management (although not exclusively used for that it is a side affect)
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And much more
For most people the GAPS diet is not a cakewalk to say the least but the benefits are well worth the effort. There are different stages o the GAPS protocol. The individual’s health issue and severity dictates how I customize and modify it throughout their protocol and how long you stay at each stage. Essentially, GAPS diet targets the gut by eliminating foods that are difficult to digest and irritate the gut lining and adds in foods that detoxify the body and heal the gut. More than 90% of everything toxic floating in our blood (and getting into the brain) comes from the gut. GAPS is a protocol which detoxifies the body by way of healing the gut allowing proper digestion and absorption of vital nutrients from food, in this way it allows the brain to develop and function properly, more simply put, If our digestive system is working properly then it is able to break down the food we eat into the smaller counter parts necessary to be carried throughout the body. If there is dysfunction in our digestive system the necessary nutrients needed for our body or brain to function correctly are not absorbed.