GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]

« WellTellMe • Forum • Natural Health • Nutrition & Food • Recipes, Menus & Diet Plans • GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome] »

(Read 15890 times) 1 ... 6 7 [8] 9

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #210 on: April 14, 2009, 03:01:36 AM » by WellTellMommy

O.K., I finished reading GAPS book and understand/ agree with all information although I feel the (to eat /not to eat) in each stage is very undefined and I'm one who has to have it laid out VERY clearly or I'm lost (clearly I'm a GAPS person). Roll Eyes

Can you Ladies who've been on this make the stage 1 comprehensible?
I did not read any where in the book that the first stage has to be soups but from reading here I understood it to be, and if the acceptable list (with exception of dairy as explained in the book) is from the get go how does the elimination come in?
There are things that I know bother the *health of the most sensitive individual of the family* (well put Boysmama) ;)but some that I've not discovered yet, so how do I know what to start with so that I know I'm starting off on a good foot?
I am VERY pro-GAPS diet I believe it can be a blessing in a great way, I love how she explains the vicious cycle of supplements being taken then not absorbed becoming toxins yet gives guidelines for what to look for in good supplements so those who do need/want them can get good ones, knowing that every case is different, and explaining in great detail (even I understood Shocked

) how to get the equivalent nutrition as you would in supplements buy more readily digestible foods like broths, sauerkraut, yogurt, and Juicing. Cool

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #211 on: April 14, 2009, 11:41:03 AM » by mamaoffour

Welltellmemommy: I know you just bought that book and read it, but there is a Gaps Guide that was written from another Gapsgroup/yahoo member which was also approved by Natasha McBride(she is the author of Gut and Psychology Syndrome. I highly recommend the book; it specifically gives you directions on how to start and also has F&Q in the book as well. It also has sucess stories from other moms who have done the diet(as well as my son's story--under the title of Noah and Micah Wink

. That's the only thing I didn't like about Natasha's book was there is no specific guidelines on how to start. She makes it sound like you can just start the diet full force and wham their better!! Not the case at all!! My son is very sensitive to fruit, beans, nuts, and also honey at the moment,s o the diet is very different for each individual. We have been on the diet for 7 months now; we are having lots of gains,but we are still not healed from my son's allergies. His air borne allergies are still a huge problem for him, I think it will take a long time for him to heal because he is so toxic.

Anyway, the book would be very helpful for you. It actually has steps on how to begin the diet. It's very clear and easy to read. I highly recommend it. Here's the website:

http://gapsguide.com/book/

Good luck and God Bless,
Misty

Logged

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it(Prov. 22:6).

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #212 on: April 14, 2009, 02:38:15 PM » by WellTellMommy

Thank you Misty,
I have been looking at that site since you first posted it I'd love to get that book, I love to read, and the first one (I borrowed it ,Thank You Patti !) but I fully believe I could start if I had a little more info.
I really don't think it will be that dramatic of a change from where we've come to in eating habits (except DH) It's always harder to break habits for older folks than it is for littles. Wink

I think the hardest part for us at first will be dairy, We all love it and have found a cheap source for GOOD organic products but I guess that will be a blessing still in the long run and for ghee in the beginning. Grin

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #213 on: April 14, 2009, 07:20:56 PM » by boysmama

Quote from: WellTellMommy on April 14, 2009, 04:04:46 PM

*I did 1-3 days of broth, tea, and soft meat to clear the intestines so we could better observe reactions to veggies.*
I like this Idea was it a liquid fast of sorts?

Dh, has been programmed to have bread,cornbread or crackers with any soup is there something that I could sub for the (soaking up feeling) in the first stages? I know that later I could use the bread/cracker recipe in the book.

There are so many angles to the broth beginning...which isn't really the beginning. Please understand that I REALLY STRONGLY believe that there should be an introduction to the intro... Wink

Jumping in usually triggers massive detox which can overwhelm and undermine the
body and mind even farther.

Broth is very healing, easily and quickly digested. A broth fast can mimic many of the benefits of a complete fast, while maintaining decent blood sugar levels.

Lots of liquids ensure rehydration to help clear the bowel.

Broths made from organic and grassfed chicken and beef are fairly low on the allergen list. A person could be allergic, but it isn't likely. (Please note that it is grassfed and organic stock. I am becoming very convinced that soy and corn or liver failure toxins from soy overload are coming through meat and accounting for the chicken and beef allergies out there. That is beyond actual administered hormones and drugs.)Take a little time to understand the principles of an elimination diet. Start with least likely allergens and most easily digested foods. I believe GAPS would be a little more effective with more emphasis on this aspect.

Reducing fiber gives the intestines a chance to heal in a way they can't otherwise.

Lots of broth kinda lends itself to soup. You also are going for the "wet" aspect of boiled, soft foods.

I'd skip any sort of bread substitute for awhile. Undecided

Sorry. I know she recommends the nut based pancakes fairly quickly, but nuts in general are harder to digest, even soaked in NT style.

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #214 on: April 14, 2009, 08:47:23 PM » by WellTellMommy

*I'd skip any sort of bread substitute for awhile. Undecided Sorry. I know she recommends the nut based pancakes fairly quickly, but nuts in general are harder to digest, even soaked in NT style.*
This is what I thought, Just thought it would go smoother with DH if I could offer something.

I understand prelude to the into if you can minimize slowly you can detox slowly keeping the body from going into shock from toxin overload. Shocked

Would you recommend gradually upping probiotics in the prelude stage?
and can you recommend prelude protocol?
Here are some things we've done to begin this journey...
*only use organic Beef, Fruit, & Veggies, fresh or frozen not canned.
*Cut out all processed foods...except corn chips/taco shells and a few organic canned items black beans,tuna,olives,& diced tomatoes/ condiments.
*Began Digestive enzymes & and probiotics.
more I can't think of I'm sure.

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #215 on: April 14, 2009, 10:35:35 PM » by mamaoffour

detox slowly keeping the body from going into shock from toxin overload.
Welltellmemommy,

Please be careful when adding a probiotic in the beginning. My son went into a full fledge detox even without a probiotic. We did stop his probiotic for three months in the beginning. It was just too much for his little body to handle!! I swear I think I had to wash sheets like every night during his detox period. Shocked

I do think his body is still detoxing even after 7 months of this diet. Go slow so the body has time to get rid of toxins and not be over loaded. I know with my son his detox pathways in his body don't work correctly, so he detoxes very fast, yet his body has trouble eliminating toxins. I believe that's part of the reason he is on the Autism spectrum. I actually dropped all supplements in the first three months so his liver could just focus on detoxing and getting the bad things out.

We also had to do lots of Epsom salt baths because of the incredible die off peroid. Get ready for some things to change. It will be very difficult in the beginning, but it will get better. Just wanted to let you know what you may be in store for. Be careful not too add too much during the intro; I would not even use supplements until you are out of that first initial die off peroid. It could only be a month or so, two weeks, or even as long as 3 months for some people. My son had a much longer peroid of die off in the beginning.

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

Misty

Logged

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it(Prov. 22:6).

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #216 on: April 15, 2009, 12:09:29 AM » by WellTellMommy

*detox slowly keeping the body from going into shock from toxin overload.*

We have run out of enzymes, and Probiotics and since, there has been no stool movements like before we began them, so at this point before we go on the intro I need them (Kiddo's) to stay regular to get toxins out, we eat LOTS of fruit & veggies and still movements are slow to none (in some), Is it still wise to take us off or what do you recommend to keep every one normalized?

*We also had to do lots of Epsom salt baths because of the incredible die off period.*
Every bath we take is Epsom salt baths and has been for at least a year if not more Wink

and the only soap is castile for hair only.
I'm organic with all cleaners in our home.

I may be wrong but I think what was said above referred to a gradual detox over a long period of time before Gaps is ever implemented by other means like cleanses, probiotics, fasts, and diet alterations for example if I were to go from Mc- cheeseburgers every day to whole grains, meat, fruits,& veggies, I would detox then if I took that and made it all Organic I would again detox, then if I took out grains I would again detox, and if from that point I went on GAPS I would detox but if I went from Mc-cheeseburgers to Gaps I would go into SHOCK and toxic overload. This is what I'm attempting while I learn Gaps and Prepare for it, I'm very greatfull to have you ladies to consult with.

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #217 on: April 15, 2009, 12:52:46 AM » by mykidsmom

Quote from: WellTellMommy on April 15, 2009, 12:09:29 AM

We have run out of enzymes, and Probiotics and since, there has been no stool movements like before we began them, so at this point before we go on the intro I need them (Kiddo's) to stay regular to get toxins out, we eat LOTS of fruit & veggies and still movements are slow to none (in some), Is it still wise to take us off or what do you recommend to keep every one normalized?

This is an area I disagree with the GAPS protocol. I think a lot of ppl have gut/allergy issues because they aren't digesting. So, IMO, I would make sure your gang is taking digestive enzymes with every meal. If they aren't having regular bowel movements then they aren't likely digesting well. Especially if you've noticed a difference since running out. Same thing with the probiotic. Someone with a compromised digestive system is likely carrying bacteria they don't need. If you cut the probiotic, you allow the bacteria to continue its overrun. Even on the GAPS protocol. They NEED the probiotic in order to heal. I realize that some people this won't work for (as stated above). BUT, if you have been using it with your family and it has been helping then I would not eliminate it. If it weren't helping then I would say, by all means, get rid of it. But that isn't so with your crew. I do think your priority needs to be to get them back on the enzymes and probiotic before you start GAPS. I'm also not sure that doing GAPS is necessary. After observing my son's healing, I think between a good probiotic, intestinal healer (candibactin) and tight diet with the known food allergies that healing is taking place rather quickly and with little to no trouble. And without having to do the major restrictions of GAPS. Since my child isn't autistic, this may not work with an autistic child. Although it's the same protocol our DAN doctor uses with autism spectrum kids.

Just my .02

patti

Logged

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #218 on: April 15, 2009, 05:35:13 AM » by WellTellMommy

*I love how she explains the vicious cycle of supplements being taken then not absorbed becoming toxins yet gives guidelines for what to look for in good supplements so those who do need/want them can get good ones, knowing that every case is different, and explaining in great detail (even I understood Shocked Cheesy) how to get the equivalent nutrition as you would in supplements buy more readily digestible foods like broths, sauerkraut, yogurt, and Juicing.*

I believe we are needing the supplements because we are not getting what we need in our diet and with GAPS you do, I simply am not sure once on GAPS if they will need to be continued?

She explains further in the book(last chapter or two I think) the whys of diet / supplementation and she is not against it, just desires that the Patient get as best digest-able nutrient as possible which would be broths, sauerkraut, yogurt, and Juicing, --natural nutrition as opposed to synthetic(as some supplements are), and nutrition that has all of the right balance to be put to use best I.E.... Calcium requires x,y, and z to be absorbed / used properly which is how it is blended in nature (God is so wise), but as calcium supplement it is alone or with x but not y or z. Did that make since? It is 4:30am. Roll Eyes

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #219 on: April 15, 2009, 09:44:33 AM » by mamaoffour

Welltellmemommy:

Are bodies are so different from each other, so what works for others, may not work for you. Some children can take supplements with no problem, others have such a damaged gut lining that they can't even break down or absorb anything in pill form. This has been my son's problem, which is why I stopped all supplement in the beginning of the diet. Now, 7 months later I can give him a probiotic, Fish oil, and also do a parasite cleanse with so far no problems. I really think if it wasn't for this wonderful diet, he wouldn't be where he is today. Sometimes we have to change things up to fit our own children's needs, which is what I have had to do for about 3 years now. I have become my child's health detective, which has payed off for us finally. He's not completely healed from his autism, but he is on his way. Allergies are my next problem to tackle, which is basically just correcting an over reactive immune system.

I agree with Patti that some children are so heavily intoxicated with bad bacteria that they can't be with out a probiotic, but with my son he had to be stopped until his toxin level was lower. My son has a problem detoxing correctly, so that is the only reason we had to take his probiotic away. It worked for us, but may not work for others.

As far as enzymes go, they can be very very helpful for those who can tolerate them. We aren't going there yet because my son seems to react to these right now. Right now we will just supply his body with natural forms of enzymes such as fermented veggies and chicken broth. We are slowly adding back supplements to his diet, but I'm pretty confident that GAPS Diet is adding quite a few nutrients back to his diet. I guess what he doesn't get in a pill form will be easier for his body to assimilate through his diet.

Just my two cents.

Do what works for your family. Pray for wisdom that God will direct you in the right direction. So far that's the only thing that has helped my son. God is good!!

God Bless,
Misty
s

Logged

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it(Prov. 22:6).

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #220 on: April 15, 2009, 02:23:27 PM » by WellTellMommy

Thank you all for your input God is using each of us to strengthen and teach each other.
As I said above we are not on GAPS yet I just got my first batch of saurkraut to where it's edible and the mixed veggies-- ahh- not so much, And to get my crew to drink broth is taking a little adjustment, so these things are not implemented yet and as you said some bodies can take it some can not.
I see mild cases of GAPS in each of my family members but not to the point that any one of us would be diagnosed by any type of Dr. for any one thing and certainly not on the autism spectrum so the things I'm dealing with are mild allergies,slight dyspraxia, constipation, and general gut balance, (health instead of treating symptoms) Wink

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #221 on: April 16, 2009, 09:19:30 AM » by mamaoffour

I really think that's why God gives us these challenging children(that's why I think my son has Aspergers, God wants me to heal him and then help other's in my situation) to research and heal. It's part of our testimony to God. One day all of us will have a bigger testimony than we could ever imagine!! It's just a matter of coasting through all of the difficult and trying times. One day my son will completely be healed from this beast that takes him away from me. Autism is one of the most challenging things a mother can endure, but it's not all hopeless. My story is one prime example that there is hope even when it seems so helpless. Sometimes we have to think outside the box and implement things other people wouldn't normally have to do, such as this diet.

We are all here together for a reason that only God knows. We have to support each other so others can keep passing on helpful information and of course their testimony to share and inspire someone else.

What a great place to be!! I love Well Tell ME!!

Misty

Logged

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it(Prov. 22:6).

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #222 on: April 30, 2009, 07:42:31 PM » by WellTellMommy

Is there any way that you ladies could jot down where you started, I really need more basics to help comprehend.

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #223 on: May 03, 2009, 10:06:15 PM » by NicoleLynn

Well I am currently on the GAPS intro diet for myself, no kids...so I don't know if my experience will help.

I have been eating the full GAPS diet off an on for 2 months. Did a traditional anti-candida diet (some GF grains, 1 piece of fruit daily) in there for a couple weeks as my Naturopath recommended it. Have had no honey even for over 1 month. Have been completely off grains, fruit, nuts and legumes for 3 weeks. I have been eating soup for lunch every day for 2 months, and basically was down to meat, vegetables, eggs and butter.

So the intro diet hasn't been a huge shock to my system. No sugar, starch or caffeine detox to deal with. I actually got through the first 2 phases in a day each. I will probably been on stage 3-4 for months maybe before I can re-introduce fruit, nuts and legumes due to parasites and candida.

I definitely recommend easing your family into it, it will be so much easier for everyone. If you are still sugar, etc cut those out first for a few weeks, then grains for a couple weeks, then fruit for a couple weeks, etc.

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #224 on: May 18, 2009, 11:51:35 AM » by mindfulmom

Patti, I just love reading your input and learning from you as well as everyone else on this blog! I bow to all of you for your dedication to your families and to helping everyone else through their time of diffuculty and healing!

My question to everyone: Do you think once the healing has taken place that a child with food allergies, say milk and egg, can every eat them again or will reintroduing them bring back all the old symtoms?

I guess its a question of what came first the chicken or the egg? (no pun intended!) Are we born with these intolerances and allergies which in turn cause the intestinal problems or do the intestinal problems cause the allergies?

Has anyone here had any long time experience with this?

I ask because I have a 7 year old daughter and 4 year old son, both with separate issues although they are similar. My daughter was colic and I suspected allergic to milk but my pediatrician at the time kept telling me no she wasnt without testing her for some unknown reason. When I took her off milk formula she was much better. When she was born we had dogs which she played with and showed no sign of any allergy to them. She was never ill with anything until around the age of 3. She developed a stuffy and runny nose which never went away. Then she would often break out in hives when she played in the water outside and get dry skin in areas. Then one day she developed "asthma" after running and playing outside. ( I put that in quotes because I question whether it was true asthma or just congestion causing it.) Add to the runny nose now a sore throat and tummy pain the never went away. By then I changed pediatricans, started reading about nutrition and food allergies, had her tested or IgG and IgE allergens and found she had an "off the charts reaction to dogs" (she was fine when she was younger), and cats. The food tests showed very high reactions to egg and milk and some other lesser reactions to other things (when I checked food labels it was really all the things she was eating regularly). So I realized it was not the food, but rather her little body that was the problem and it must be fixed.

I took her to a ped gastro who did not believe in leaky gut so we discontinued seeing him.

I did an elimation diet and then lead into the Body Ecology diet because I was taking a "shot in the dark" at a possible yeast problem. During the elimination diet I saw her belly pain go away, next her throat stopped hurting, her dry skin and hives cleared up, then her nose cleared. It was amazing! The asthma left too. For 8 months no asthma at all! (Until we visited the home a relative who had just remodeled and the exposure to all the chemicals in the paint and new flooring set her off again but I think thats an issue for another blog.)

After all the symtoms disappeard we went right into Body Ecology where I slowly added in raw diary and slowly egg. The entire diet was cleaned up here, all meats, fruits, vegatables are organic. We remained strict on Body Ecol for a few months. It's now a year and a half later I can say that she is great, even during spring time when her nose might flare up. She can handle all raw dairy and eggs, she is able to have the occasional non raw dairy at birthday parties like pizza and cake but I still don't think she could tolerate that as a regular part of her diet. I would not want to undo all the progress we have made.

I have rambled on about my experience because it seems that avoidance of those allergens is still necessary.

I'm currently looking for a doc in my area, NY, to do the Genova Comp Stool Test for my son now more than my daughter because it seems we have her under control for now and him not so much. He has allergies to dog, cat, grass, milk and egg, these where through IgG testing and through NAET muscle testing, many more allergies were identified though I'm not sure that is accurate.

Any thoughts on removing these allergies permanently or do you think gaps can heal the damage done in the gut but the allergies will still be there?

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #225 on: May 19, 2009, 05:02:06 PM » by mykidsmom

Hi! Glad to hear you were able to help your DD so much! I really believe it's up to us mommies to research and figure out what's wrong with our little ones. I fired more then one doc trying to help my DS.

As far as time length on healing, etc. This is really going to be individual AND dependent on what caused the allergies in the first place. For us, there is a genetic component as well as vaccine damage. Those caused by vaccines (eggs) are likely to never be fixed. Those cause by genetics (really a genetic gut) are more likely to heal.

Our DAN doc told us that after two years of a really tight diet for our kids that they will likely be able to handle those things when we go to a restaurant or have a special occassion, but they will still likely need to eat a tight diet at home. He said they will not likely ever eat pizza again. Tongue

After two years of our current diet and supplement regimen we will be trying a few things just to see but I probably won't add eggs/milk/gluten back into our diets on a permanent basis. I may try the raw cow's milk but I'm not holding out hope on that for my DS. Maybe my DD's - but likely never my DS.

I do have a friend that got her boys guts fixed and they eat out okay but when she has tried to give them gluten more regularly at home one DS can't handle it even still.

Again, it's likely going to depend on your DC's bodies.

Take care!

patti

Logged

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #226 on: May 24, 2009, 02:18:03 PM » by mindfulmom

I do believe heavily in diet but I also like to be efficient so to me doing tests in order to pinpoint the problem as you were able to do is very important to me. I have looked into Genova and some other labs as well but off course funding is limited so I want to be sure to choose the right test and doc in my area. I'm working on getting an out-of-network exception with my health ins. carrier.

Do you know which Comprehensive Dig. Stool Analysis test you did? There are several. Did this test tell you the source of the problems, as you said in your last post, that the egg issues came from vaccines and the other issues from genetic inheritance? That is amazing that it can even be determined! I'm curious, how do they know that?

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #227 on: May 24, 2009, 04:45:45 PM » by mykidsmom

Quote from: mindfulmom on May 24, 2009, 02:18:03 PM

Hi,

The stool test we had done was by Genova Diagnostics. What that test told us is what my DS (we actually all did this test) is digesting in terms of fats, carbs, etc. It told us what fatty acids his body is not using due to poor digestion. It told us what kind of bacterial pathogens were in our guts (we all had an overrun of different kinds), and it also told us what natural substances would kill those pathogens. They actually test the pathogen against both antibiotics and natural substances (that's so someone can use abxs if they want). We have used natural substances to kill off all of the bad bacterias we've had and we've used a MAJOR probiotic (meaning the strongest one I know of) to repopulate our guts with the good stuff. This test showed much more but it's hard to explain it all. What is important is that most people with food allergies also have very poor digestion (which is partially why they have food allergies) so this test shows just where the digestion is at and what needs to be fixed for the body to heal.

The ELISA 96 food allergy panel is the only one I trust in terms of results for food allergies. We've had others done and not only were they not complete, but things we were allergic to, other tests showed up we were just fine with. So which test you get done does matter.

As far as determining how we got certain allergies, that came from looking at history and comparing children. We were able to see that the one child that we barely vaccinated and in fact completely separated the MMR shot so it was given in three separate shots over 18 months does not have even a 1/4 of the allergies my others have that were given one MMR shot at 18 months of age. It is common for dairy allergies to be passed down genetically so it appears that's why my kids have that allergy - because both my husband and I have a high dairy allergy. OR - perhaps it was the gut they inherited and the shots kicked in the allergy. I do believe that second one is what happens in autism cases. I think some kids inherit a poor gut and the shots send their bodies over the edge. Our ND fully believes if we had given our son one more MMR shot (he only had one) he would have been very autistic. He said that just based on his stool test and allergy test. His gut was in bad shape (inherited) at birth.

I absolutely, 100%, believe that accurate testing is key to treating oneself naturally. If you know what you're treating you can aim for the cause. That is one thing I have so appreciated about our ND. He uses the medical community to get what testing he sees as valid and necessary and then runs with those results to treat the body naturally. He's actually a DAN doctor but we went to him because he's considered a specialist for the intestinal system. BTW, he also takes out of state patients and can order testing out of state if you are interested. He uses a great lab called Lab Corp. The prices are cheaper then anything my doctor or their labs ever charged and it saves us the cost of a separate doc appt. to get the labs done. Lab Corp is all over the US.

Back to the MMR thing - my sister and I came up with a great theory last night (she's married to a doctor but is natural oriented). I will post on this thread about it later because I think it would be an interesting study if one were ever done.

hth

patti

Logged

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #228 on: May 29, 2009, 03:37:19 PM » by Sewbusy

Ok, so this diet seems like just what my family needs! Would I be insane to start it while having pregnancy sickness and building a house??? I can barely get grilled cheese sandwiches made for supper. But then again maybe I will feel BETTER if I did this diet?? Is it even safe to start while pregnant? (because of the detoxing) Can you freeze foods ahead of time?? If I could then it might work. Any helpful advice would be great! Thanks Ami

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #229 on: May 30, 2009, 03:49:27 PM » by boysmama

Sewbusy,

Probably it would be insane to try to commit to starting the intro diet right now. Cheesy

Best is to start in baby steps to allow yourself time to adjust, your family to adjust, and to allow everyone's body to adjust and detox slowly.

Yes, I believe you will feel better if you get a good diet. You didn't say what you normally eat, and it is possible to make healthy cheese sandwiches, but most are not.... Wink

so if you have the typical diet I think change will make a difference.

Yes, you can freeze some items for this diet. I think the fermented, cultured foods would be better fresh, but they do keep for a long time under refridgeration once prepared. Stock and bone broths freeze well. Even many soups would freeze just fine.

For yourself I believe the Brewer('s) diet would be the most helpful. It is nourishing enough to support a healthy pregnancy, and the emphasis on good quality proteins will curb the processed, high carb food intake that is compounding many of the problems associated with the need for a GAPS style diet. You are right to be concerned about detoxing to quickly.

Make your changes slowly. That doesn't mean that you keep drinking pepsi everyday (if you do)

, but start drinking green tea sweetened with honey instead. Instead of a candy bar make some homemade chocolate treats with coconut oil, dark cocoa powder and a little honey and add nuts or coconut to taste. If you typically eat several cheese sandwiches, have a salad first with some sunflower seeds, hard boiled egg and chopped leftover meat and then eat a sandwich. Also, read up on it or just take my word for it Cheesy

, that you want to get good fats. it makes such a difference. For cooking the main choices are coconut oil, butter and organic animal fats, and maybe sesame here and there. For homemade mayo, salad dressings and cold applications olive, and small amounts of cold pressed, organic safflower, and sunflower. Cod liver oil is really great to balance energy and mood swings. You'll have to read up on that yourself to choose which brand. Avoid ones with added artificial vits.

Here is what I recommended for beginning steps. http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,20533.msg217115.html#msg217115

And here is Yooper's post with the "underwhelm" PDF attached at the bottom.
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,20533.msg215947.html#msg215947

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #230 on: May 30, 2009, 05:57:06 PM » by Sewbusy

Thanks so much for the info. We do eat fairly healthy. No soda, candy, and junk in general. I HATE yogurt and other fermented things and am trying to come up with creative ways to get them down. Kids and hubby love yogurt and will eat a gallon in a few days when I make it. Hubby and I also decided our family probably doesn't need something quite this drastic because we aren't "that sick". So for now I am going to try to get something figured out for fermented foods. Again thanks for the info!
Ami

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #231 on: May 31, 2009, 05:34:31 PM » by boysmama

Sewbusy, we started kefir and plain yogurt in berry/fruit smoothies with generous amounts of honey and slowly reduced the amount of honey or other natural sweetner.

Besides avoiding sugar and high carb meals you might also find a huge energy boost in avoiding wheat products for 2 months.

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #232 on: May 31, 2009, 06:42:38 PM » by Sewbusy

Speaking of sweetners, is stevia ok?? I mean splenda was all the reave till folks found out the truth. Now it's stevia.... If there's a thread on this PLEASE save me some time. ( I think I could spend MONTHS of constant reading on here) And I have tried avoiding wheat.... But we already have to stay away from lagumes (soy and peanuts the worst) for dh. Soy is in nearly EVERYTHING. It was just too much for me. So I guess maybe I'm going in baby steps

Smoothies... Well, I have a hard time with that texture right now (NO mashed potatoes, applesauce, creamy cereal). Maybe after 12 weeks I'll start to try something like that:)

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #233 on: June 01, 2009, 08:23:55 AM » by boysmama

Stevia has pretty good reviews by folks I consider health conscious. I am not a fan. Perhaps small amounts, but it gives me the same low blood sugar feeling as other low calorie sweetners and also has a slight chemical aftertaste.
One thing to watch is the analogs of stevia now being sold, such as Truvia. Truvia is to stevia what Splenda is to sugar. If you use stevia, make sure you are getting the real thing.

Here are some WTM threads on stevia and sweetners.
Stevia Sweetner
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,5216.0.html
Sweetners: Good and Bad
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,2119.0.html
Stevia Brands
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,5859.0.html

If you look to the right on your screen there is a Discussion Boards topic list. Each catagory-such as the first- Nutrition & Food is clickable to open a file of those type threads and each subcatagory, such as Sugars & Sweetners is also clickable. The above threads came from the Sugars and Sweetners "file".
You can also use the advance search feature to limit which boards to search under for the word "stevia.

Have a great day!

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #234 on: December 21, 2009, 08:52:45 PM » by hi_itsgwen

I ran across this summary/review of the GAPS diet book, and I thought it was pretty thorough and good!

http://performancewithoutpain.com/2009/08/

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #235 on: December 31, 2009, 12:49:03 AM » by Melie

I'm several pages into this thread and all this is so foreign to me. I have 5 healthy kids, no allergies that I've noticed until now. My baby is 10-11 months and she seems to get a diaper rash whenever I try to feed her solids. Most of my kids have started at 6 months and quickly progressed to eating most things by a year with no problem. I usually nurse for about a year. Well it's coming on a year and she doesn't seem to tolerate solid food. She also had a pretty bad bout with yellow diarreah after eating a handful of raisens last week that lasted 4 days or so. She may just have been sick, I don't know. She also has yellow toenails. I am cutting the sugar out of my diet and eating more nourishing things, broth, veggies, stews, etc. I have ordered the GAPS book.
What I am wondering is if it is necessary to go through the stages of this program when all she seems 'perfectly normal' other than this food reaction.
What I mean is, she shows no signs of having autism or anything like that. She is very social and happy and most of her development seems earlier than my other kids.
Can I just adjust my diet to the last stage of this plan and be feeding her broth for a while to resolve this? I have a feeling I may have caused the problem because I've been very bad about sugar. I eat very little processed foods and junk food. But I do eat lots of Chocolate and home- baked goods.
Sorry if I'm not making a lot of sense, I feel over-whelmed and feel like something is wrong but I don't know what yet.

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #236 on: December 31, 2009, 11:19:01 AM » by mykidsmom

Mel - the fact that she has toenail fungus says she's got internal candida pretty badly. You're going to have to treat her for the candida. We're dealing with this fungus in Ron's sister and it is HARD to treat. If you're going to use the GAPS method of treating her, you'll need to start from the beginning. The problem is, you need to treat all of you. If you have one little one with allergies, your others have them as well. They just aren't manifesting outward symptoms yet. Probably the best thing to do is start everyone at stage one and progess your way through. As you pull stuff from their diets your likely to begin noticing allergy symptoms in the others and then you'll know what you need to avoid with them.

While I'm not a fan of this method of treating the allergies, if you're going to do it, I believe you need to do it just as she states in order to be successful in healing the gut.

patti

Logged

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #237 on: December 31, 2009, 11:40:58 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Melie,
If I am understanding the GAPS info correctly (just from cursory reading of the thread and book reviews/videos), autism is a result of food allergies and poor digestion that affect the neuralogicial system. But allergies can also affect a myriad of other body processes, depending on which nutrients are blocked and which toxins/immune reactions are involved. It's wonderful that she's developing well neuralogically, but there is still 'something' going on with the symptoms you're observing.

If I understand correctly, GAPS is a broad spectrum 'diet' approach to treating all sorts of allergies, and allowing the gut to heal as you phase food types back in, watching for reactions. It's not as much geared toward fighting stubborn microbial imbalances, though it does address basic gut flora.

Patti went another route, and the doctor she found was able to tell them exactly what they were dealing with on a microbial level, as well as the specific allergens. IMO, if you can afford it, this is a very big advantage over just doing a broad spectrum diet like GAPS.

In the mean time, you can go ahead and start utilizing the GAPS intro diet to get some nutrition into her and help clear her system of the potential allergens. So I think both approaches can be helpful, but I like knowing *specifics* to work with.

« Last Edit: December 31, 2009, 11:43:08 AM by hi_itsgwen »
Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #238 on: December 31, 2009, 12:12:32 PM » by Melie

Yes, that's what I was thinking we'd need to do but then I don't understand how I'm supposed to tell with the other kids how to know when to move on to another stage because they all seem very healthy and have healthy bowels, at least it seem that way to me.
Unless God provides some way, we definitely can't do a bunch of testing right now but I will pray about it and He can certainly afford it if He wants us to do it.
It seems to me, just from the little I've read, that this would be a wise way to introduce any baby to eating solids anyways so when I get the book read I think I will definitely do the whole things with my baby and for now she is eating broths. I am changing my diet right away and when I get the book I will figure out what else I need to do.

Logged

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #239 on: December 31, 2009, 02:15:01 PM » by Whiterock

Melie, GAPS is all about gut flora. It's my understanding that the book is saying that healing from allergies/autism/all kinds of other issues, is a byproduct of bringing the gut flora back into balance. When you do that and provide basic building blocks with certain foods, it enables the gut to heal itself and you're body to begin to use nutrients properly and heal these other issues.

She scientifically explains (on a laymans level) how gut fora keeps various cells in the gut functioning. If the flora isn't correct, the cells don't function properly and this effects the various structures, within the gut, that they are a part of, and so on.

Along with the broths she adds sauerkraut juice to each serving and other things to not only sooth and heal but balance flora.

I'm trying to find a reasonably priced companion book for this diet right now, called "GAPS Guide. It walks you thru the diet, step by step.

WR

« Last Edit: December 31, 2009, 02:20:24 PM by Whiterock »
Logged

Who Needs God?

My Blog - Yarb d'Farb Knarb Check out the Wellness Wednesday tag for your health-related blog posts!

(Read 15890 times) 1 ... 6 7 [8] 9