GAPS Nutritional Protocol

Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAP Syndrome  or GAPS) is a condition establishing a connection between the functions  of the digestive system and the  brain. This term was coined by Dr.  Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (human  nutrition) in 2004 after working with hundreds of children and adults  with neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as autistic spectrum  disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD),  schizophrenia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, obsessive –compulsive  disorder, bi-polar disorder and other neuro-psychological and  psychiatric problems.

Gut and  Physiology Syndrome includes chronic physical conditions which stem from  an unhealthy gut, such as all autoimmune conditions (celiac disease,  rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type one, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s  disease, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune skin problems, Hashimoto disease  and other hormonal problems, etc.), asthma, eczema, various allergies,  food allergy and intolerance, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia,  multiple many endocrine disorders (thyroid, adrenal and other), chronic  infections, many neurological diseases and all chronic digestive  disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, colitis, etc).

The  collective bacteria that reside along the GI tract is referred to as  your gut microbiome.  Clinical research continues to reveal how  significant the health and function of the gut flora are to every  physiological action in the body including metabolism, digestion,  nutrient production and absorption, neurotransmitter production and  transport, inflammation, detoxification, etc.  Through dietary  intervention, targeted supplementation, detoxification, and lifestyle  changes, the GAPS nutritional protocol is designed to restore digestive  function, brain function, and overall health.

GAPS patients have impaired digestion,  making it difficult to break down foods into useful nutrients,  leading to malnutrition and systemic inflammation.  Low stomach acid,  impaired liver function, holes in the digestive lining (leaky gut), and  an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria disrupt the proper digestive  process, potentially leading to serious conditions including autoimmune,  neurological, allergies, impaired skin barrier, asthma, IBS, chronic  fatigue, mood disorders etc.

The GAPS Diet restricts all grains, commercial dairy (apart from hard  cheeses), starchy vegetables, processed carbohydrates, and refined sugars.  These nutritionally void items are replaced with easily  digestible and nutrient dense foods in order to give the cells of the  gut lining and bacterial layer a chance to heal and rebuild.  These  foods include homemade meat stocks and bone broths, organic meats  including chicken, beef, pork, turkey, venison, and duck, non-predator  fish, fresh shellfish, organic fruits and vegetables, probiotic foods,  nuts, and seeds. 

The nutritional part of the GAPS diet is divided into two sections:  The Introduction Diet and the Full GAPS Diet.  Once a patient has moved through the Full GAPS Diet, there is an additional stage outlined in Gut and Psychology Syndrome called Coming Off the GAPS Diet

It generally takes patients 3-6 weeks to complete all six stages of  Intro, however it is very individual.  The Introduction Diet is designed  for patients with severe digestive issues including chronic diarrhea,  IBS, Crohn’s, gastritis, and Ulcerative Colitis as well as patients with  serious neurological conditions including autism, schizophrenia,  depression, and bipolar.  Some patients may exhibit neurological  conditions with no clear digestive symptoms and may be able to move  through the Introduction Diet more quickly, listening to their body and  observing for negative reactions. 

Once a patient has moved through the six stages of the Introduction  Diet, they are ready to move onto the Full GAPS Diet.  For patients who  skipped the Introduction Diet, Dr.Campbell-McBride recommends following  the Dairy Introduction Structure outlined in the Gut and Psychology  Syndrome book when introducing dairy products.  It is important to  remember the majority of the patient’s diet should consist of  antibiotic-free and hormone-free meats, non-predator fish, organic eggs,  fermented/probiotic foods, and vegetables.  Overindulging in baked  goods made from nut flours and fruit can be detrimental to the healing  process and should only be consumed in moderation.  For patients  suffering from yeast overgrowth, temporarily eliminating fruit, honey,  and nuts may be beneficial.