1Campbell-McBride, Natasha. Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 23, no. 2 (2008): 90-94
According to the clinical observations of Natasha Campbell-McBride, founder of the [GAPS diet][1], restoring the gut flora and removing inflammatory foods from the diet can improve the symptoms of [autism][2].
Healthy Bacteria Vs. Pathogenic Bacteria
The pathogenic bacteria that are often found in excess in people with autism digest food into toxic byproducts, eliminating the food's nutritional value. These byproducts enter the bloodstream and move to the brain. Among other behavioral disruptions, these toxins can affect the patient's perceptions of sound, leading to unpleasant sensation and reaction.
Healthy gut bacteria, on the other hand, synthesize essential vitamins, including vitamin K, pantothenic acid, folic acid, thiamine (vitamin Bi), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B), cyancobalamin (vitamin B12).
Restoring the healthy gut bacteria enhances the presence of these vitamins in the body, and may resolve the malnutrition that often accompanies autism.1
According to the clinical observations of Natasha Campbell-McBride, founder of the [GAPS diet][1], restoring the gut flora and removing inflammatory foods from the diet can improve the symptoms of [autism][2].
Healthy Bacteria Vs. Pathogenic Bacteria
The pathogenic bacteria that are often found in excess in people with autism digest food into toxic byproducts, eliminating the food's nutritional value. These byproducts enter the bloodstream and move to the brain. Among other behavioral disruptions, these toxins can affect the patient's perceptions of sound, leading to unpleasant sensation and reaction.
Healthy gut bacteria, on the other hand, synthesize essential vitamins, including vitamin K, pantothenic acid, folic acid, thiamine (vitamin Bi), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B), cyancobalamin (vitamin B12).
Restoring the healthy gut bacteria enhances the presence of these vitamins in the body, and may resolve the malnutrition that often accompanies autism.1
The GAPS Diet, short for The Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet, is a diet discovered and developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. She found a significant connection between brain function and the gut. Through the GAPS diet, patients follow a strict diet, avoiding foods that feed on bad bacteria, and add ample amounts of probiotics to heal their gut and surpress symptoms of neurological and psychiatric conditions such as ADHD, Bipolar bipolar, Schizophrenia autism, schizophrenia, and Depression. Although the GAPS diet focuses on brain function, following this diet can also benefit anyone suffering from poor stomach function.
The GAPS diet has 3 main principles:
1. Healing the Gut: This is the main concept of the GAPS diet. Through the strict diet, and avoidance of foods that feed on bad bacteria, the gut has time to heal and rid itself of harmful bacteria that is flourishing in the gut. It’s important to consume foods that nourish the gut and contribute to the creation of healthy flora.
2. Beneficial Bacteria: Part of the healing process is adding essential probiotics back into the gut to prevent future health conditions and allow the gut to become stronger. While starving the gut of bad bacteria, it’s important to stay away from foods that encourage the growth of bad bacteria, and support the growth of new, good bacteria. This step is about repopulating the gut with essential bacteria.
3. Eliminating Toxins: Toxins in the body can alter the brain function, only contributing to mental challenges. Elimination of toxins is also achieved through the strict diet. Consuming foods that are easy to digest, and drinking fresh juice helps eliminate toxins from the body. Strengthening the gut is an essential part of the healing process.
The GAPS diet is typically prescribed to children and adults suffering from:
Although the name of the diet lends itself to treating psychological problems, the GAPS diet can be followed by anyone looking to cleanse their gut of harmful bacteria, and anyone looking to enhance their overall well-being.
