GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #240 on: December 31, 2009, 04:20:40 PM » by mommyjen

Interesting posts...I'm learning that gut flora is complex but not necessarily complicated. I know that lack of sleep has caused Candida overgrowth in lab mice. High sugar diets have as well. Lack of sleep and sugar both also suppress the immune system. A high functioning immune system keeps candida in check and keeps it in it's friendly form and the numbers low. We need the right nutrients for good immune function, as well (zinc and selenium are a few important nutrients that directly effect immunity or lack thereof). Toxins and heavy metals in the body lower immunity (especially mercury) and are a food source for candida as well. Sugar is also a food source for yeast. There are many components that play into Candida overgrowth. This is interesting though I know it's not true for everybody.

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Interestingly, once adrenal insufficiency and yeast overgrowth are treated, most people find that their allergies and sensitivities to yeast and other food products seem to improve or disappear.

http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n_2/Infections-candida_eliminating_yeast_fungal_overgrowth.html

I highly recommend the above article. I believe I have candida issues and I'm tackling it like this: Getting toxins out of my body internally by cleanses and flushes and hopefully getting mercury fillings out followed by chelation therapy, nutrient dense diet + supplements, correct carb balance at mealtime and only eating sugar with meals (getting enough fats and proteins every meal), fixing existing health problems, dx and avoiding food allergies with hopes that they'll heal, detoxifying my life externally (getting rid of chemicals in enviroment and food) as much as is in my control and reasonable, use of probiotics daily (eventually would love to do kefir and kraut for this), and then getting rid of pathogens in the intestinal tract and systematically (antifungals, etc.). I am wondering if I have a body wide pathogen issue going on (yuck!). Anyways, so many things are inter-related! Sorry for the ramblings, hope that helped some!

« Last Edit: December 31, 2009, 07:54:29 PM by mommyjen »
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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #241 on: December 31, 2009, 06:06:31 PM » by mommyjen

Mellie, here's another article that I though may be helpful. In treating Candida it's important to understand the whole picture, instead of just killing it off as it really doesn't work that way. This specifically covers babies.

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This means that if either parent has candida overgrowth the baby will also have it because they inherit the same immune system status, which will be just as depressed as their parents. Candida is not infectious or contagious therefore it is not possible for babies to "catch it" from the birth canal during birth, nor can they "catch it" from the mother after birth, i.e. from the breast or any other contact with a mother who has candida.

How Candida Overgrows & The Only Way to Handle It!
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/cfd1.php#a1

« Last Edit: December 31, 2009, 06:14:07 PM by mommyjen »
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Billy's wife and mom to John, Charles, Gilbert, and Lewis.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #242 on: December 31, 2009, 08:11:40 PM » by mykidsmom

Quote from: Melie on December 31, 2009, 12:12:32 PM

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.

Mel,

You will know what your kids are allergic to when you re-introduce foods. After someone has removed a food from their diet for 30 days their body cleans out and the inflammation caused from the allergy begins to decrease. When you re-introduce a food after that length of time, their body will react if they are allergic to it because they haven't had it in a long enough period of time that it's now an "invader" substance to their body and their body will attack the food as an invader. This will produce visible symptoms. You'll get everything from runny noses, to anger/emotional issues, rashes, eczema, loose bowels, constipation, gas, bloating, etc. There's a whole host of symptoms that you'll just become very aware of as you re-introduce foods. I believe phase 1 of GAPS is longer then 30 days. At the minimum everyone's bodies need 30 days to mellow out before you start adding stuff in.

Did any of that make sense? Huh

My brain is a little foggy at the moment.

patti

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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 #243 on: January 01, 2010, 04:52:38 PM » by Melie

Thanks Jen and Patti. That does clear a lot up. The book showed up in the mail yesterday so I've been reading a lot.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #244 on: January 02, 2010, 05:16:17 PM » by morningglory

I am so overwhelmed right now. I've been reading this thread for two days and I know it's what we need to do. I'm wondering how long those of you that have followed the diet stayed in the different stages? We are dealing with borderline autoimmune disease, eczema, dark circles, constipation, insomnia, etc. plus the imminent possibility of a pregnancy. I probably won't be able to start for a month or two, but am going to start cutting things out one by one and learning to make some of the dishes. What are your thoughts on doing this diet while on prescription meds? Is it totally pointless? I'm thinking that when/as/if I get pregnant, I will be on aspirin and heparin for the next 10 months, which is not open for debate. I would love to be healed up before getting pregnant and not have to take drugs at all, but we've been waiting to have a baby for 4 years, and I don't think DH wants to wait any longer. We don't have a bunch of extra money right now, but with what we're currently spending on supplements, I'm sure we could at least begin the diet.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #245 on: January 02, 2010, 05:31:24 PM » by mommyjen

Quote from: morningglory on January 02, 2010, 05:16:17 PM

I'm sorry morningglory that I don't any experience with the diet. Hopefully other will chime in about that. What I wanted to mention for food for thought is that if you're dealing with a borderline autoimmune disease than adding a pregnancy to that could very well push it over the edge to the point of no return. Sad

Also, baby's immune system status is inherited so if you are having immune issues then baby probably will too and maybe even worse. In this day and age, baby's need the best start they can get. I KNOW how you're feeling as I am very ready for a baby right now and love our two year spacing! But, we have decided that fixing my existing health problems is the best thing for our family and any future little ones and in the long run may grant me longer and stronger years of childbearing. I'm not trying to scare you by any means but just want to add a little sobriety to the subject. My friend sickmomgirl (see her fibromyalgia thread) after the birth of her second baby basically became incapacitated from her allergies, autoimmune disorder, whatever she doesn't know. Her husband had to quit his very awesome job and they had to move in with his parents across the country. She says all this in her post. This is very serious stuff. Just some food for thought. Obviously, do what hubby wants! But it maybe good to present him with as much information as possible, so you both can make an informed desicion. Hugs to you mama!

« Last Edit: January 02, 2010, 05:53:31 PM by mommyjen »
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Billy's wife and mom to John, Charles, Gilbert, and Lewis.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #246 on: January 02, 2010, 06:58:21 PM » by mykidsmom

Mj makes some very good points to consider seriously. But just to answer your question regarding taking drugs while doing the GAPS diet, no it will not hurt the effectiveness of the diet and might actually allow you to lower amounts of drugs you're taking depending on what is causing your issues that you need them for. If food allergies end up being the cause of some of your issues then this diet would take care of that and could possibly help heal some of the health issues. I believe completely that autoimmune diseases are caused by a toxic body so for sure this would do a good cleaning out.

Lots to consider for you; proceed with prayer.

patti

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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 #247 on: January 03, 2010, 02:02:18 AM » by morningglory

I really am grateful for any advice or constructive criticism, and I know that's what I'll get from WTM! I'm not on prescription drugs right now, but DH has decided that I should do the aspirin/heparin therapy when I get pregnant, having had a late stillbirth with our second child with some pretty bad hemmoraging, TIAs, etc. So I was hoping to start the diet before DH says to begin TTC, and hopefully be in the less restrictive stages (so I can supplement as needed for miscarriage prevention, etc.) for most of the pregnancy. Any thoughts on that?

I want to keep to the diet (as much as financially feasible) to the bitter end, pregnant or not. I know that at least part of my problem is food allergies, having been tested when I was young. And I really don't take getting pregnant lightly at all, I promise you. We've been through too much for that. But I'm trusting God and DH on this one, and they both have the information they need. I've done extensive cleaning out, and am much healthier in general than I've ever been, but I know it's just been a band-aid cure, and that I need to fix what's broken, for myself and my DS. I'm scared, and excited, and intimidated. I do think this is what I've been looking for, and I can't wait (in a dreadful sort of way) to get started.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #248 on: January 03, 2010, 09:22:58 AM » by mykidsmom

Quote from: morningglory on January 03, 2010, 02:02:18 AM

God will honor you for honoring your husband. In health, healing, and having babies. Do all YOU can to bring healing, and trust God to take care of the rest.

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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 #249 on: January 06, 2010, 01:17:24 AM » by mykidsmom

Since I've posted so much here about my DS's allergies and our walk in the world of eczema, hives, etc. I decided to post this here. What I'm most interested in is HOW much healing has taken place in the last year since we started my hubby and myself and girls on an AF diet. My DS has been AF since Nov. 2008 - so just over a year. We have ELISA tested him about every 3 months up until this past summer. So this is a six month test check for him. My ND said complete healing would take approx. two years.

I fingerpricked everyone today (1/5) for a new ELISA food panel test. Soooo anxious to see where everyone's at. Have to post my predictions here to see how close I get.

Expect all of hubbies "pseudo" allergies to be gone (he was only NOT allergic to 3 types of berries out of 96 foods). Only the majors to remain (on a scale of 0-6). Gluten about 1/2 way point. Dairy and eggs about 3/4 point.

I *think* bubba boy will be allergy free with the gluten (meaning not allergic to it any longer). About 1/2 with the dairy and eggs. Expect full 6 pt. scale allergies with ALL meats. Expecting to have to go vegetarian with him for at least 6 months. Hoping not, but it's not looking good right now.

Expect both girls to be allergy free of the gluten. About 1/2 on the dairy and eggs.

Expect myself to be 1/4 on the gluten, 1/2 on the dairy and eggs.

Think three of us will be 1/2 on the nightshades (girls not allergic to them).

So there's my predictions. We'll see how close I got. :-) Won't know until second week of Feb. For those going through the struggle to heal guts, I'll post the actual results when I get them. What I'm finding as I go is it's getting easier to actually see where each family member's gut is at just by signs in their bodies. It has definately taken me a full year to get to that point.

patti

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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 #250 on: January 12, 2010, 10:05:36 AM » by boysmama

Quote from: mommyjen on January 11, 2010, 04:08:34 PM

Quote from: mykidsmom on January 06, 2010, 01:17:24 AM

Expect full 6 pt. scale allergies with ALL meats. Expecting to have to go vegetarian with him for at least 6 months. Hoping not, but it's not looking good right now.

Patti, I'm wondering if your son wouldn't benefit from high doses of HCI? I can't find my WSAIGFY book to give specifics but I remember him saying that through extensive testing he determined that although digestive enzymes relieved most/all digestive symptoms that many were indeed still not digesting protein well when the real/main problem was low stomach acid. A very good book! For mild cases a little acv in 4 oz of water with meals can work very well. I didn't read Bee's protocol below but it's probably okay/good. As your body heals and begins producing acid on it's own you will know because you will experience burning in the tummy after supplementing. Reduce one capsule then stay at that dose until burning begins again or something like that. Will try to find the book.

Why Stomach Acid is Good for You @ Amzon
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Stomach-Acid-Good-You/dp/0871319314

How to Take Hydrochloric Acid Supplements [HCl]
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/dig5.php

This post and those discussing HCL have been moved here

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #251 on: January 12, 2010, 03:54:46 PM » by hi_itsgwen

I posted a tidbit that I found about using bromelain in conjunction with gluten allergies...here!

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #252 on: January 16, 2010, 11:10:30 AM » by boysmama

Quote

So there's my predictions. We'll see how close I got. :-) Won't know until second week of Feb. For those going through the struggle to heal guts, I'll post the actual results when I get them.

The followup to this post and all other related posts not related to the GAPS method or diet have been moved here.

As a courtesy to the member who started this thread and those participating in the conversation and to keep subjects more organized and easier to find, please attempt to stay on topic as much as possible.

If the conversation triggers a new subject of interest, please search the forum for a more appropriate thread for the discussion.
When one cannot be found, please start a new one.
~boysmama

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #253 on: January 16, 2010, 12:12:21 PM » by boysmama

Quote from: morningglory on January 02, 2010, 05:16:17 PM

Morningglory, Here is something I wrote for someone else. I don't remember all the dates clearly, but these are very close estimates based on brief journal entries. I recommend saving food and symptom logs for longer than I did! Wink

Mine were just piles of scrap paper with dates and logs stapled together as I went. If I did it over I would start in a clean notebook to make it easier to reference.

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We had made the switch to whole foods soon after we were married and gradually learned about raw, organic, fermented and cultured foods.
2 1/2 yrs or so ago we started on something similar to Maker's Diet level one and two for awhile. That would probably be equal to an ammended Gaps level 2-6.

No grains,no sugar, no soy, no white potatoes, no starch, no beans or (most) nuts, no dairy other than what I made with our goat milk plus butter. Free range, grassfed meats and eggs only that were not fed soy supplements. Low natural sugars, low glycemic index.

When I really started learning about GAPS we started with the intro.Everybody's bowels were moving freely and were indicating better health beforehand.
I think it was 2-3 days on broth for most of us, and a bit longer for my worst two. It went pretty fast due to having been on a restricted diet (essentially low allergen) beforehand. I did follow each step carefully, but did not use as many nut flours and pancakes as she recommends.It's so hard to figure out timing, if any one knows me and that I have something wrong please speak up. I don't want to be dishonest. Tongue

I think it took only a couple months to work through intro to stage 6. Like I said we had been so restricted in foods for quite awhile before hand, I think alot of healing had already taken place and the intro broth and steps just allowed even greater healing.

I think it was approx. 6 months before I started trying to add things that were reactive like wheat, gluten and peanut butter. It was a no go. That was (I think) close to a year ago and we are just now beginning to be able to use soaked wheat and gluten 1-2x a week. I'm still very cautious about those two.
3 out of 5 can't do peanuts. Cow's dairy just isn't common in our house, but still reactive I think. (oats as well) Of course additives and preservatives are huge reactors still. Not sure if that will ever change as they aren't "food" to begin with. That's where we see behavioural changes. If we stay home it's so, so much easier.

I'm not strictly GAPS diet now. There are a few allowed foods I just wouldn't use (citric acid-made from a mold), and a few seeds and grains or cheese types I make with goat milk that I think would be fine in small amounts or soaked and sprouted that are on the "bad" list. We are now using rice, potatoes, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, barley and other gluten free grains, any bean type we care to use (organic, sprouted, etc), any goat milk cheese we care to make....basically any WHOLE, unadulterated food available to us, restricting only those things I know are reactors and continuing to pay attention to keep carbs, protein, and fat intake balanced. That works to limit high glycemic carbs (all the GAPS restricted starches, seeds and grains!) With the wide variety we use it could almost be called a rotation diet.

Ultimately I think the goal should be to be able to use any whole, organic food available. Obviously genetically acquired allergies or significant damage (such as an older autistic patient) will take longer to heal. I found an article written by Natasha Williams on their progress with her son to be interesting. It sounds like they take month vacations eating whatever food is available without problems and just use the GAPS diet at home. From the book I got more of the impression it was a lifelong commitment to the diet....but the book is more about HOW and WHY it works and not how to use the info. It's probably to our advantage that we had a wide base of related info to start with.

I should also tell you that we never had any tests for myself and the boys. Dh had a couple panels run, but not allergy related, just nutritional, general physical type. That is what put us on the "maker's diet/antiinflammatory".
I used GAPS intro as an elimination diet tool to help me pinpoint the allergy spots.

I'd like to test at least my one boy. Pretty sure he still has some allergies and that I know what they are. For the most part it's processed foods, additives and the like that are strongly reactive for him. It's not that I want to be able to feed him that, but it would be nice to not have it cause such drastic reactions when he does get some. It maybe that he still has some allergens that I'm just not careful enough with or have missed. *update-This is getting better. I started giving him activated charcoal followed by a laxative formula to prevent constipation from the charcoal whenever we eat away from home. I am also researching mineral deficiencies related with chemical allergy triggers for myself as scents, cleaners and off gassing in new construction still make me sick. Again, my goal is not to make it ok for him to eat junk or processed foods, but to reduce the reactions which cause setbacks in behavioural and physical development and progress.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #254 on: January 16, 2010, 03:10:08 PM » by morningglory

Thanks so much! We don't have the money right now, but are definitely planning and saving towards being able to do GAPS. I'm wondering how long it will take us, because none of our known allergies are terribly severe yet, thankfully. The worst are gluten, any kind of coloring, or corn syrup in high amounts. Obviously, I'm in bad shape, but I probably wouldn't even know that beyond the miscarriages. We eat pretty well, but I am actively learning about cultured foods and other things to put us in as good a place as I can with the money I have. Finding a raw milk provider was key, so now I have whey to work with. Little man doesn't have any obvious digestion problems, his only symptoms are eczema, or behavior change, and anytime there's a prolonged time of bad eating, like a birthday or Christmas, he gets sick. I'm hoping to stop it with GAPS, so he doesn't end up with autoimmunity like me. I do like the idea of being able to eat any healthfully prepared food without worrying that one too many carbs will send us right back where we were.

I'm such an impatient person, because I tend to think I've been wasting my time with everything I've done up to now, but I know it's not true. Little man hasn't been to the doctor in over 2 years, and his eczema was completely gone for 2 years. I'm sleeping better, in less pain, and get well faster than ever in my life. If I had read about GAPS before now, it would have been way too much info to handle with everything else I was learning. Baby steps are hard for me! I want it all done yesterday. But the timeline does help, and I'm sure I'll be bugging everyone that's done it for advice.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #255 on: January 18, 2010, 05:12:44 AM » by WellTellMommy

As one cut's known allergens from the diet, it is easier to see symptoms of other allergens. How can one know that all allergens have been addressed unless you cut your diet to nothing but broth, which is the point of how the GAPS diet is set up, my question is how do you know when to add foods back in and how do you know as you add foods back in if that food is acceptable to your body?
We have cut out so many foods that we have reactions to, and DH is so willing to go on GAPS with the hope of adding foods back in, yet my fear is that we will begin & he will panic over the fact of nothing but broth, I'm already seeing emotional roller coasters in all of us just from the foods We've already pulled out.
Though he & I joke if we take any more foods out of our diet we will be on GAPS by force not choice there is much truth to that, we've already cut Gluten, night shade, soy, dairy (decreased but not gone), we mostly eat whole organic foods prepared by me little - no processed anything, except the corn chips picked up here or there, & we're beginning to see other things that react when we eat them, is it possible to just cut out allergens add enzymes & probiotics and heal in that manner I cant see that the strength of what we have w/o RX strength like Patti's son was taking would do enough.
I'm a little overwhelmed because we've taken so much out & I don't know if there's any healing going on, Boys mama I feel as though we are where you were before you began GAPS, that pre-intro stage that we talked about, I think we've been taking those baby steps for a year+ now.

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Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #256 on: January 18, 2010, 03:07:56 PM » by denim&lace

WellTellMommy... I would guess that going into gaps wouldn't really be that big of a deal for you at this point anyway. I honestly think the broth stage is just kind of like pushing the reset button for your digestive system. If you could pick a three day weekend and start there... then add very low allergen foods to that (carrots, celery, rice, chicken or lamb) one food at a time, you should be OK.

The list of allergy reactions my ND gave me to watch for were:
Diarrhea or mucus stools
Redness of face or cheeks
Eczema, cradle cap
Skin Rashes
Runny nose
Rash around the mouth or anus
Hyperactivity or lethargy
Dark circles under eyes
Dyslexia
Wheezing
Distinct changes in behavior

A few other things she told me to watch for were:
headaches
muscle pains
soaring blood sugar (in me, because I monitor my glucose)
bloating
nausea

The second list was mostly for myself, because it is hard to monitor those things in a toddler who may not be able to voice those symptoms.

I have to say that it is easier to be encouraged by starting at nothing and being able to add stuff back in than to have to keep saying "Well, there's another thing we have to remove..." After just eating broth for several days and then a week or two of adding things back in, you feel like you have a super variety to chose from!

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"Thus it now appears to me that trust, and not submission, defines obedience." ~ Joan W. Blos in 'A Gathering of Days'

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #257 on: January 20, 2010, 06:35:37 PM » by WellTellMommy

Great way to look at it D&L, Great encouragement!

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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 #258 on: February 06, 2010, 10:26:44 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Just wanted to link to a thread that is related to using pre-biotics; specifically FOS or Inulin.
This would be a good read for anyone who may have or suspects having "bad guys" in the gut, and could be important to note for your healing process.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #259 on: February 21, 2010, 07:36:05 PM » by mommyjen

We're starting this soon. Anyone else doing this/wanting to do it? Here's an article from WAP website from Natasha McBride about the why of Gaps in detail. Very good.

Gut And Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Written by Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD
http://www.westonaprice.org/Gut-And-Psychology-Syndrome-GAPS.html

My big concern is feeling hungry all the time and worse...my kids being hungry all the time!! Just saw the recipe thread for the intro stage here a WTM and will be checking it out soon. We've been planning on doing this for a little while but things have been just way to hectic, but since DH midterms are over this weekend it will give me time to research recipes, shop, order supplements and come up with a menu plan. I will not start this until I have successfully made kraut (already done the bone broth for years) and have a menu plan. The menu plan is key for me right now. Tongue

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Billy's wife and mom to John, Charles, Gilbert, and Lewis.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #260 on: February 21, 2010, 10:42:37 PM » by boysmama

Good article!

Glad you are doing this. This weekend I got to "meet" two different families who have totally reversed gluten, egg and a whole other host of allergies by using Nourishing Tradition style food preparations. They had done whole foods with no success. One lady...I was listening to a podcast....reversed an egg allergy in (I think) 2 months in her son! Wow! Lots of hope. You can get through this. Just make lots of what you can eat. If the children are hungry they will eat it. Wink

This too will pass and be just a memory.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #261 on: February 22, 2010, 12:16:24 AM » by Whiterock

I bought cabbage yesterday, to start the kraut. Dh wants me to do other kinds of "pickled" veggies too, but kraut is first so we can start the intro. I need to start making and freezing broth too.

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #262 on: February 22, 2010, 12:35:28 AM » by herbalmom

Here's a great thread from 7XS on Lacto-fermenting.

Lacto-fermenting is SO easy, I wish everyone knew...

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #263 on: February 22, 2010, 04:35:50 PM » by mommyjen

Thanks so much boysmama for the encouragement. Kiss

It so inspiring to hear those success stories! Good advice...will make lots of what we can eat.

WR, hubby is picking up cabbage today. I don't have a recipe yet for kraut without whey except NT's one. I hope to surf around and see what's out there today and compare. Let me know how yours turns out! Good idea to freeze broth ahead of time. I make 2 gallons every week and we usually use it all up by the end of the week, but I don't want to run out on gaps so I may have to up it starting at 3 gallons.

HM, thanks for the link...going to check it out soon!

« Last Edit: February 22, 2010, 04:38:48 PM by mommyjen »
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Billy's wife and mom to John, Charles, Gilbert, and Lewis.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #264 on: February 24, 2010, 10:58:16 PM » by mommyjen

Day 1 of GAPS...sort of. Tongue

We ate broth, meat, and veggies for each meal today but we're snacking on other stuff (sunbutter and celery and rice milk) till we run out (at least the kids will still be after today.) I have to say that I felt really good today! Especially after lunch, so two rounds of broth. Very calm and relaxed...almost sleepy/drugged! I'm not minding since I've been rather irritable lately, so the mood change is nice. Tongue

Since I stopped dairy, I haven't been doing a calcium sub so I'm wondering if the calcium is doing that or if it's just the soothing of the intestinal tract/nerves, so nervous system or blood sugar regulation? Not sure, but hubby was not feeling this way...just normal. I felt not so great though after after noon snack mentioned previously so will not be helping use up snack food anymore.

I'm still waiting for my books (gaps + guide) so I'm just going of the website intro info. One concern, I'm not sure if we are going to do okay with eggs. Do I have to stay eating soups (in stage 1) until I can tolerate them? That's the impression I get, but that doesn't make any sense. Can I get some clarification here? Also, is there a minimum time I have to be on this stage? We don't really have poo issues anymore (except undigested food) since we removed allergens. One last Q...I will start adding the garlic tomorrow, but ds tested allergic to garlic so I'm thinking I should leave that out for him? Thanks!

Started my antifungals today which I am thankful for cause I've had the worst y infection that comes and goes and seems to be triggered by ovulation. Anyone heard of that? Could just be coincidental but it uncomfortable either way until I can get it under control with pbiotics and coconut oil. Had some weird symptoms that I'm not sure are related like flushing/warmth in my ears, but functioning pretty normally aka not much die off.

Will be purchasing some oregano oil and berberine antibacterial. Is there anything else I should get? I'd like to do these after my first week of antifungals is over (most die off is over by then if there is any) and am looking forward to this! I really think ds esp. has dybosis in his gut. I know these aren't part of the gaps protocol but I'm all for speedier healing if possible. Grin

Which is why we are doing GAPS, too!

WR, are you still in the prepping phase? We just jumped into it even though no menu plan or kruat. I realized that with the limited foods and pretty much just doing soups at first that it wasn't really necessary. Pretty easy to throw a soup together. So the kraut will come shortly though.

One last Q. Can you just do the kraut/juice for the probiotic? If we could save here that would be great. Hubby am possibly a few of the boys could do kefir. Thoughts?

I'm glad we are doing this! This is one of my best days in a long time. I wonder if the iron supps are finally making a difference too. I can't be sure, but I have a really great mood going on today and I am very thankful for that!

« Last Edit: February 24, 2010, 11:02:06 PM by mommyjen »
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Billy's wife and mom to John, Charles, Gilbert, and Lewis.

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #265 on: February 24, 2010, 11:32:43 PM » by sickmomgirl

how long are you taking the diflucan? can't wait to hear your progress from taking the antifungals. be careful with oil of oregano... i was told not to take it for more than 2 weeks as it kills good bacteria in gut. diflucan can also be harsh on gut, i think, but a good antifungal!! die off can be terrible, dramov thought my fainting spell was die off... i'm not convinced, but maybe.

good luck with the gaps diet! i wonder if i should only eat cooked food and take out all raw food, cuz if ulcers/digestive issues??

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #266 on: February 25, 2010, 12:16:27 AM » by mommyjen

Quote from: sickmomgirl on February 24, 2010, 11:32:43 PM

i wonder if i should only eat cooked food and take out all raw food, cuz if ulcers/digestive issues??

I really think that would help you a lot. Raw foods are very hard to digest unless they are fermented like sauerkraut. I the gaps diet they start with the most easily digested foods and then you gradually work up to the harder to digest food. I think the last phase is introducing raw fruit among other things, if I remember right which I probably am not. Tongue

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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #267 on: February 27, 2010, 05:57:31 AM » by mommyjen

A good article about GAPS by Dr. Tom Cowan a member of the WAP foundation board. I have read many of his articles and always learn a lot and think he's a great Dr. from what I can tell:

A few of you have been asking me about the GAPS diet and how it can
positively affect children's behavior. Here is a good synopsis of how
it works and some more information.

-- Dr. Tom Cowan

www.sustainlane.com/reviews/dr-thomas-s-cowan/4Y28I8AV3NPB3NZTLTBY1A1S4VYD

*******************
FOCUS: GAPS Diet

Back a number of years ago there was a startling paper published in
The Lancet, the biggest English language medical journal in the world.
The article was by a researcher named Andrew Wakefield, who claimed he
had discovered the cause of autism.

What Wakefield did was to take a number of children with autism, do
small intestine biopsies on them and from those he discovered that
they had abnormally wide holes in their small intestinal lining. He
postulated that these holes in their intestines were allowing proteins
to leak from the inside of the bowel into the bloodstream, and that
these foreign proteins were acting like neuro-toxins and interfering
with the neurological functioning of these children. He further went
on to say that these intestinal defects were caused by the MMR
vaccine. This last part is what became big news. In fact, I can
remember clearly watching a 60 Minutes show about this, in which
Wakefield showed the biopsies, named some of the proteins which were
found to leak through the intestinal wall, and made the case as to why
he thought it was caused by the MMR vaccine.

Interestingly, the media and the medical establishment attacked
Wakefield, not for the theory of autism (which as far as I know has
never really been disputed) but for claiming it was caused by the MMR
vaccine. The shame of this is that Wakefield had in fact uncovered one
of the most important mechanisms which lead people to get and stay
sick, but he got the cause wrong. Not that I'm a big fan of the MMR
vaccine but, as claimed by the medical establishment, there are many
autistic children who have never had this vaccine. In other words,
while the vaccine is not healthy for a child's immune system or even
their gut flora, Wakefield was off base in claiming it was the sole
cause of what he called autistic entero-colitis. It is the
entero-colitis that is the big news here.

Parallel to this story of Dr. Wakefield, a neurologist in England
named Natasha Campbell-McBride had a son with autism and was not
finding much help in the conventional medical world. Her own research
into the problem convinced her that the problem does stem from the
gut, and so she set about to heal her son's intestines and see what
effect that would have on his autism. Many years later, having
essentially healed her son of autism and treated hundreds of other
such patients, we have the program now called the GAPS (Gut And
Psychology Syndrome) diet.

The theory of this diet is that we have millions of intestinal villi,
which are tiny finger-like hairs projecting into the intestine. These
villi increase dramatically the surface area of the intestinal lining,
making it a more effective semi-permeable barrier, which means it
keeps unwanted things out of our bloodstream while absorbing the
nutrients. These villi are covered with a layer of healthy intestinal
flora, in some estimates about five to seven pounds of millions of
varied bacteria, viruses, yeast and other microbes.

As I said in the flu article above, these healthy bacteria are vital
for healthy life. They make vitamins, they digest food, they make
antibiotic substances to keep down pathogens and they function as our
immune system. I tell my patients that this system is analogous to a
lush meadow with a thick layer of soil (the villi) covered by a lush
layer of grass (the healthy bacteria). When both are intact, the
meadow is healthy, but if you went to the meadow and stripped off the
grass (this would be the equivalent of using an antibiotic in a
person, or even not eating probiotic food), a whole cascade of
catastrophic events will follow. First, you will get erosion of the
soil, then the soil that's left will be weak and unsupportive of
healthy grasses. Weaker varieties of grass will grow or even no grass
at all. Next, as the soil develops erosion cracks, poisons, runoff,
etc., will start to seep into the ground water. At this point the land
is dying.

This is exactly what happens inside us. First we strip our grass, then
the soil erodes - the villi get weak and blunted, and then can't
support healthy micro-orgnisms. The cracks develop, and finally
poisons seep into our groundwater, the blood. We now have foreign
proteins in our blood, which either directly poison our nervous system
(i.e. autism) or create antibody formation in reaction to these
abnormal proteins, which is the whole process of auto-immune illness.
Diseases which are the direct result of this process include not only
intestinal diseases such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), ulcerative
colitis and Crohn's disease, but all the auto- immune problems such as
eczema, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and on and on. It is not a
stretch to confirm what natural medicine has claimed for literally
thousands of years: The majority of human illness starts in the gut
and must be healed by treating the gut.

There is one more part of the GAPS diet theory which is crucial to
understanding how this illness comes about and why it is so
debilitating. These intestinal villi are the sole site in the body
where production of an enzyme called disaccharidase occurs. Just as
lipases digest lipids (fats) and proteases digest proteins, these
disaccharidases digest disaccharides. When the villi become blunted,
they lose the ability to make this important enzyme, and we lose the
ability to digest disaccharides. When we keep eating foods with
disaccharides and can't digest them, they become perfect food for the
pathogens that always reside in our gut, particularly species of
candida. We then produce an overgrowth of candida, other yeasts,
clostridia and other potent pathogens - and these often make unhealthy
proteins instead of the B vitamins made by our healthy gut flora.

At this point we are deeply immersed in an unhealthy vicious cycle:
poor gut flora, eroding villi, cracks in our intestinal walls, poor
enzyme products, eating food we can't digest, worse flora, more
erosion, worse nutrition, more leaking, worse and worse immune
function, more and more toxicity, finally the diagnosis of
auto-immunity or a neurological problem. This is GAPS. Luckily it is
totally reversible, and many of these patients can be restored to full
health.

The therapeutic strategy is fairly simple: Restore the gut flora, heal
the villi, seal the cracks. We heal the villi with the Nourishing
Traditions diet with a particular emphasis on soup broth, the magic
gut restoring food. We replant the villi grass with probiotic foods
and Biokult (a probiotic developed by Natasha McBride for the GAPS
program), and until we are healed we completely avoid all foods which
contain disaccharides: grains, most beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes,
most sweeteners, milk (but not other cultured dairy products), and a
few other foods. I use this program extensively in my practice now as
a transition to the full Nourishing Traditions diet for those who
suffer from the above mentioned illness.

We have a lot of information on how to implement this diet and a
support group where GAPS patients can share their stories. The results
have been probably the most gratifying of anything I have seen in my
years of doing medicine. We would like to share one such story to help
you realize that this effective program, while admittedly tough, is
also rewarding and do-able for those who want to really heal these
otherwise intractable illnesses.

« Last Edit: February 27, 2010, 01:21:17 PM by mommyjen »
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Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #268 on: February 27, 2010, 11:35:38 PM » by WellTellMommy

Jen- Good article do you have a url for it? I would like to send it to someone, the one you gave looked like his site but not that article.

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Sherri

Re: GAPS Method / Diet [Gut and Psychology Syndrome]
« Reply #269 on: February 27, 2010, 11:44:12 PM » by mommyjen

Quote from: WellTellMommy on February 27, 2010, 11:35:38 PM

Jen- Good article do you have a url for it? I would like to send it to someone, the one you gave looked like his site but not that article.

Oh, thanks for pointing that out Welltellmommy. I didn't check the link, just assumed it went to the article. Oop! Here you go.

The GAPS Diet: The Mother Of All Diets?
http://www.sustainlane.com/reviews/the-gaps-diet-the-mother-of-all-diets/LTVKD7QC3RN23RUSRVX2DXV3R98X

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