GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology/ Physiology Syndrome) is created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a Russian-trained neurologist (MMedSci in neurology), Nutritionist (MMedSci in nutrition) with a full-time medical practice in the UK.
She treats children and adults with autism, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, immune disorders, and digestive problems, using her Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Nutritional Program.
In terms of Gut and Psychology Syndrome, we are talking about the functioning of the brain of the person,” Dr. McBride explains. “Any dysfunction of the brain is usually connected to what’s going on in the digestive system. In Gut and Physiology Syndrome, we’re talking about the functioning of the rest of the body. Hippocrates… made a statement that all diseases begin in the gut. The more we learn now with all our modern scientific tools, the more we realize just how correct he was.”
In terms of Gut and Physiology Syndrome, we’re talking about all forms of autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases and conditions, such as: Multiple sclerosis, Lupus, Kidney problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, Urinary conditions, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Allergic and atopic conditions, Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), Osteoarthritis, Chronic skin conditions, Degenerative conditions, Inflammatory bowel diseases and many others (see full list of conditions and explanations of GAPS diet on www.gaps.me)
If you’re suffering from any of these conditions, or virtually any other health challenge, you’d be wise to implement the GAPS diet program. While Dr. McBride’s book is called Gut and Psychology Syndrome, the nutritional protocol for addressing physiological and psychological conditions is identical. She is working on a second book, which will be called Gut and Physiology Syndrome, but in the meantime; please refer to her original book, as the practical dietary information will be the same.
“Once you heal and seal your gut lining, and once you make your digestive system healthy and working properly again, you’ll be surprised how many various symptoms in your body originated from your digestive system. Most [symptoms] start disappearing, because the health and the disease are usually born inside your digestive system. That’s where they originate from,” she explains
Your gut serves as your second brain, and even produces more serotonin—known to have a beneficial influence on your mood—than your brain does. It is also home to countless bacteria, both good and bad. These bacteria outnumber the cells in your body by at least 10 to one, and maintaining the ideal balance of good and bad bacteria forms the foundation for good health—physical, mental and emotional.
Most disease originates in your digestive system. This includes both physical and mental disease. Once you heal and seal your gut lining, and make your digestive system work properly again, disease symptoms will typically resolve
The GAPS diet protocol is designed to restore the integrity of your gut lining by providing your body with the necessary building blocks needed for healthy enterocyte reproduction, and restoring balance to your gut flora.
