Have you heard of the GAPS diet? 

Developed in 1988 by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, the Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet (the “GAPS diet”) is designed to create a healthier digestive system through safe and natural practices, and may assist psoriasis and eczema sufferers in relieving their symptoms.  The GAPS diet has been found to have a positive impact on attention disorders such as ADD and ADHD, auto-immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, type-1 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema, leaky gut syndrome, and much more.  People who suffer from migraines, gas & bloating, allergies, liver toxicity, and IBS can also benefit from following the GAPS diet menu.

1. Healing the gut- Concentrating on foods that nourish the intestinal tract and avoiding those that cause damage or move slowly through the system.
2. Increasing the healthy flora- Probiotics play a major part in increasing the healthy flora found in our digestive tract.  Theses beneficial bacteria are responsible for over 70% of our body’s immune function.  While growing the amounts of normal flora in the intestinal tract it is important to avoid those foods that promote unhealthy bacterial growth and yeast.
3. Detoxifying the gut- This process includes strengthening the gut, juicing to quickly eliminate toxins, and limiting the diet to those foods that move quickly through the intestines.

It is important to note that the GAPS diet is by no means a quick fix.  It takes months and a commitment to healthier habits to get the intestinal track back to a balanced state with optimal functions. The GAPS diet is also not a cure to any of the diseases or conditions mentioned above.  It is simply a guide to healthier habits that promote optimal gut functions including immune response, digestion, nutrient absorption, and fat metabolism.

To find out more about the benefits of GAPS, please visit Dr. Campbell-McBride’s website athttp://www.gapsdiet.com/.

Sources:

http://www.gapsdiet.com/

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/02/the-gaps-diet-what-it-is-and-why-you-might-consider-doing-it.html