GAPS is an abbreviation for Gut and Psychology Syndrome and Gut and Physiology Syndrome. GAPS is a condition that establishes a connection between the functions of the digestive system, the brain and the rest of the body. This term was created by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (human nutrition) in 2004 after working with 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.
Dr Natasha expanded her works to discuss the crucial relationship between the human microbiome and our entire physiology, paving the way for how we might consider the increased rates of Autoimmune diseases, Allergies, Arthritis, Gut Problems, Fatigue, Hormonal Problems and neurological diseases. Often a mixture of psychological and physiological issues can be going on concurrently, such as chronic constipation plus depression and anxiety or autism spectrum disorder with allergies and IBS.
Interestingly about 90% of all genetic material and all cells in the human body is composed of microbial cells, meaning the human body is a super-organism. (1.) These microbes’(gut flora) play a monumental role in human physiology.
Our gut flora helps to protect us from foreign invaders and maintain and protect the health and integrity of the gut. They play an active part in the digestion and absorption of our food, and they actively synthesise various nutrients to nourish our bodies. Our gut flora also supports the human body’s detoxification system and plays a significant role in immune system modulation (2.) When our microbial ecosystem is out of balance and not functioning as intended, symptoms of a psychiatric or a physiological nature will present themselves within the body, the severity of which directly reflects the state of one’s ecosystem.
The GAPS Nutritional Protocol is an incredibly healing protocol that has the potential to assist with all of these issues and improve one’s health. Several versions of the GAPS Nutritional protocol can be tailored and applied to suit an individual’s needs and symptom picture.
Working with a certified GAPS Practitioner will ensure you receive qualified guidance and support as you navigate the GAPS Nutritional Protocol. When approached correctly, the GAPS Nutritional Protocol can be easy to follow. The benefits will empower a person to continue with the nourishing and incredibly healing protocol for the body.
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References;
- Baoli Zhu 1, Xin Wang, Lanjuan Li, Human gut microbiome: the second genome of human body , 2010 Aug 28. PMID: 21203913.
- Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride MD MedSci (neurology) MedSci (nutrition), Gut And Psychology Syndrome, pp. 15-32. 2010.
