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I’ve read the book “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” by Dr. Campbell-McBride several times, but recently re-read it and wanted to offer an in depth review.
You might have seen blogs or articles mentioning the GAPS/SCD diet, especially in reference to Autism, Allergies, A.D.D, etc. I first read this book several years ago, and while we weren’t struggling with any of those issues, we did add in some of the aspects of her recommendations to our diets.
Fast forward a few years and one of our children had been born premature and spent some time in the NICU. He later developed a dairy intolerance/allergy, that we suspect was a result of the steroids and antibiotics that he was given in his first days. At this point, I re-read the book and started to implement the protocol with him in hopes of reversing his dairy allergy and possible gut struggles from antibiotic use.
What is GAPS?
The protocol in Gut and Psychology Syndrome is basically an intensive nutritional program to heal the gut lining. It focuses on soothing and healing the gut lining with foods like bone broth and beneficial fats while boosting beneficial gut bacteria with probiotics and fermented foods.
Depending on the severity of the patient, one either begins with or works up to the Introduction Diet, which is the strictest part of the protocol, focused on intensive healing. There are then stages as the person begins to introduce other foods. The most difficult factor of the GAPS diet is that in order to be effective, especially in the beginning, one must be 100% compliant. This means a lot of preparing foods at home, as practically any foods prepared by someone not familiar with the protocol will have things that can aggravate the gut.
The website, GapsDiet.com, outlines some of the protocol, but the book is a much more comprehensive source of information.
On the GAPS diet, use of high quality probiotics and fermented cod liver oil are also encouraged to boost gut bacteria and nutrient levels. For many people suffering from these symptoms, part of the issue is that they are malnourished since the problems in the gut can lead to poor digestion and absorption.
Our Experience
In my experience, there are aspects of the GAPS diet that can be beneficial for everyone. Adding nutrient rich (and inexpensive) foods like bone broths and fermented foods is a good step for anyone.
For kids, boosting gut bacteria and immunity can help boost the immune system and keep them from getting sick as much. Having a good balance of gut bacteria is especially important for pregnant women, as babies inherit gut bacteria from their mothers at birth. (Note: The Intro part of the diet is not suggested during pregnancy, but the full GAPS diet is very nutrient rich during pregnancy). This is often why more than one child in a family can suffer from some of these same issues, as an underlying gut problem can be passed on to each child and then express itself due to lifestyle or nutrition factors later on.
Adding probiotics and fermented cod liver oil can be beneficial even if one isn’t on the GAPS diet, as these boost nutrient levels and can improve digestion.
In our own family, our son developed a dairy intolerance/allergy shortly after weaning. This caused him digestive disturbances, irritation, and eczema on his face. He has also always been my pickiest eater, so the transition to GAPS was not fun, but he adjusted and within a few weeks his skin had started clearing up, his digestion was better, and most surprisingly, his speech (which had been somewhat delayed due to him being premature) took off.
Since we have all been doing it together, I’ve noticed that my digestion is very regular and that I have a lot more energy, even while pregnant. While it is time intensive, our grocery bill hasn’t gone up much on GAPS, as it seems like we are just filling in the gaps (no pun intended) with bone broth and fermented foods, which are both inexpensive to make at home.
Who Should Do Gaps?
It is explained in depth in the book, but the author specifically focuses on people struggling with gut/brain issues like Autism, A.D.D., A.D.H.D., Dyspraxia, Depression/anxiety, Schizophrenia, and even allergies.
I often suggest Gut and Psychology Syndrome to parents who have children struggling with any of these issues, or even to parents whose children just have skin/allergy issues, as they almost always benefit from the protocol as well.
If you or someone in your family struggles with any of those issues, I’d definitely suggest reading Gut and Psychology Syndrome and seeing if you think it would be a good fit for your family.
Have you ever heard of GAPS? Have you done the protocol? What were your results? Share below!
Hi. Loved reading your blog Wellness Mama. My son was born premmie too, given antibiotics twice as well as I had the steroid shots before he was born to help with his lungs. He was fine til weaning then I noticed constipation problems. My health clinic nurse said that was unusual but I listened to other mothers say, “oh, no, my xxx has had constipation, it’s normal”. I added stewed prune puree to his diet and if he went without it for two days constipation would hit, then at 18 months even with lots of drinking water and prune he started getting constipation. I took him to drs who put him on coloxyl and said if he still had constipation after a month then would have to do tests. He was constipated within four days so I took him to a local naturopath. She was amazing, Did zinc taste test and said he was deficient, did intolerance pin prick test and found lactose and wheat intolerance. Put him on supplements to help gut flora etc but he got worse. She said he needs extra help so I took him to an amazing Integrated GP. She did tests the drs won’t/cant do as Australian medicare won’t cover ($328 for a poo test!) and so far he has shown positive for Clostridium plus zinc deficiency and other deficiencies. He’s inherited some things from me, others from his entry into this world, but I’m starting him on the GAPS, all gradual and my test results are back and the dr needs to see me asap (darn it!!) so i’m really trying hard to prepare myself with my own total changes too. Sam is gluten, lactose, sugar-free so far but very fussy with food. I’m about to start doing the broth, have had to source grass-fed meat as very popular grain-fed locally. But I’ve loved reading your readers’ and your own comments. Wish me luck. Aussie Leanne
I’m just learning a little bit about the GAPS diet. I have the book on hold through the library and waiting to receive it. I’m wondering if it might help my youngest son. He is 17 months old and was born healthy via C-section.
Over the course of 4 months at the time of his birthday, he was on 4 different antibiotics and was not given probiotics afterwards (I didn’t realize that he should have had them). Then he had eczema and bloody stools. A colonoscopy revealed that he has a type of rare allergic response called EoE. He’s allergic to dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, pork, and more. Is anyone familiar with EoE? Might this diet be beneficial to him? Thanks.
Absolutely!
My son was just diagnosed with EoE as well. He’s 13 and hating the restrictive diet. My biggest problem is he splits his time between me and his dad. Would we see any benefit from a part-time diet?
These kids with EoE – sounds like they could try a somewhat new ‘procedure’ that many chiropractor’s perform. This procedure is supposed to clear the body of allergies – hay fever, food, own digestive juices, vitamins, etc. – without any drugs or shots. Our family has just started the program. I am personally tackling the things of which my body is allergic that have to do with digestion. Muscle testing is involved and a gentle chiropractic adjustment using a ‘clicker’ down the back. A parent can be a ‘proxy’ for the muscle testing of an infant. It is a little pricey but might be worth at least trying, especially if the restrictive diet is so difficult. It certainly can’t hurt. The only side affect is maybe a little tired the day of the procedure which just takes 30 minutes and the patient can not eat for 2 hours afterwards. Now, I am struggling getting my autistic son to sit still for the procedure, but one session that he tolerated specifically addressed his body apparently being allergic to his own saliva. A chronic rash he had around his mouth for months cleared up in just a couple of days.
I saw a Naturopathic Doctor for help with prolonged, moderate to severe digestive issues and also anxiety and depression. I’m 23 now, have had all the above issues since around age 16. The ND wanted me on a diet immediately–she gave me the choice between SCD and GAPS–since I was a vegetarian at the time I chose SCD because it focused less on meat. I did have to eat some meat (begrudgingly) or I would starve.
Admittedly, I only followed the SCD for 7 weeks before I stopped because I felt HORRIBLE. I developed terrible acne, my period got significantly heavier, my stomach felt WORSE– I just felt disgusting and wanted to die.
Since that experience I’ve thought “there isn’t one diet that will solve the same issues for every person; everyone’s body is different” (and I had read “Eat Right 4 Your Type” by Peter D’Adamo, which reinforced that thought). I’ve also been kind of drawn to vegan diets, which often emphasize whole grains, which apparently are from the devil. However, I’m afraid I’m just nuts or screwing myself in the long-run by avoiding diets like SCD and GAPS. So I’ve just been eating french fries and cookies. 🙁
Wellness Mama, can you offer any diet advice that would allow me to remain vegetarian? For me meat is completely filthy and disgusting and I can’t do it.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion with the world.
Hi Maddie,
I saw your comment and wanted to encourage you. I am a mother and have a 16 year old daughter who also struggles anxiety and depression (actually I am coming to realize that this runs in our family on both sides). Anyways, I just want you to know that the food you put (or don’t put) into your body really affects the way you feel. A diet of french fries and cookies is going to add to your anxious and depressed feelings (and probably your digestion issues, too).
A book that might be helpful to you is The Anti-Anxiety Food Solution by Trudy Scott. It’s a short book (not as long at the GAPS book) which may make it an easier start for you. If you are still working with your ND perhaps this is a good place to begin so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
My daughter also prefers to not eat meat, but unfortunately, for anxiety and depression animal protein seems to be important. But even on a vegetarian you need to get ample protein. Part of your desire to avoid meat may rest on having certain vitamin deficiencies like zinc and B6 or B12. Also if starting with fermented foods seems like too much right now then see if your health care provider can point you toward a really effective probiotic.
Keep on seeking to care for yourself. Start with good food, real food. Good luck!
Hi Susan.
Thanks. I was exaggerating with the french fries and cookies, lol. I will check out that book you mentioned.
Best Wishes
@Maddie: I hope you are doing well – I just read your comment as I am interested in the principle of GAPS myself and being a vegetarian for years (I still eat eggs, butter and milk occasionally). GAPS is about healing the colon lining – and you might wish to check out 2 supplements recommended by N. Campbell-McBride which I found extremely helpful and they do not interfere with a meatless diet – Glutamine and DGL (Licorice). Just the Glutamine alone made a shift to health… How we feel is balance and diet has a major influence (I wish I would have understood this in your age). So yes, you would hurt yourself in the long run if you overlook this. However, a diet needs to make you strong and feel good and more energetic. I followed very happily Natalia Rose and Ann Wigmore (it brought me to a state where I still need healing but I can concentrate on life rather than battling fatigue…) suggestions and am now introducing the knowledge/supplements from GAPS to concentrate as much as possible on he gut healing. I think it is important to work with what works with your intuition and system – and food combining made a big difference in my life. So I am keeping the best from Wigmore/Rose/Norman Walker/Karyn Calabrese whilst adding the understanding from Campbell – her work is major! If you find the right approach for you – you might go through detox and healing crisis but like for me my weight is stable, my energy stable – no food cravings etc. etc. Women have to learn to nourish themselve again – healing knowledge belongs to women. Not to institutions… – medical doctors are good as a back up – but the primary health knowledge should be in the hands of women. Each human being should know how to keep themselves balanced and healthy – this cannot be outsourced…
You should look into the Gerson Therapy. It is completely vegetarian. It is difficult but it might just cure you for good.
Dear Madam,
I shall be grateful for your advice. My son is facing with severe allergy for the last three years especially on the forehead and cheeks and nearby areas. Flakes come out often. Please suggest some diet plan which can help wipe it out Thanks
Hey Katie! I’ve been seeing so much on the GAPS diet that I want to try it. My daughter has asthma and bad allergies. She is 5. My son is 2 and he was born via c-section and he has tooth decay on his upper teeth.
I actually just bought the ingredients for your tooth powder recipe and order bass toothbrushes! 🙂 we have them on cod liver oil. Anyways…
You think the GAPS diet would work for these issues? I was told by a Chinese herbalist that upper tooth decay means stomach problems. Not sure how true that is but it makes sense to me. He craves sweets like no other so I KNOW this will be hard.
But I’m determined! I just ordered bones, liver, and even hearts at my local coop! I pick up Tuesday! I also ordered water kefir grains 🙂 yay! Thanks for all your info! I’m a huge fan 🙂
The GAPS diet was wonderful for us, and combined with the protocol in “Cure Tooth Decay” was also great for reversing our cavities 🙂
The probiotics, in combination with the diet, are amazing at fixing mouth issues. Try taking a small amount of the kefir before bedtime (and after brushing teeth). Unsweetened would be best, but if there is too much resistance you can add some honey. Try it yourself too and you will notice a reduction in your morning breath.
Hi Katie,
My son, now 2.3 years old has been born via C-section and also given antibiotics, then.. after 1 week of developing mastitis I had to be on 3 weeks antibiotics.. Eventually I had to stop breastfeeding – after 2 weeks o antibiotics, as I thought it was way to much drugs for my son… From there our problems started, he developed severe cows milk allergy, eczema and other food allergies: eggs, wheat, soy and all dairy. He is on very restricted diet, but still experiencing wind, bloating and persistent loose stools… I’m happy I have stumbled on your website and very keen to try GAPS diet, as nothing advised by multiple doctors has really worked… I have a question, for how long you need to keep to diet to see some benefits? is it a year or more?…thank you, Jana
You will do it based on his body. For us, it was a couple months on the intro stage and a couple years on the full stage but it made a night and day difference for our son.
A couple of months on the intro stage!!?? How did you get thru it? We are on day 5 and nearly dying!!! My 7 year old is grumpy all day and my 22 month old screams at the top of his lungs for hours on end!! They want something else besides broccoli, boiled meat and Brussels sprouts. Any suggestions??? Pls help!!!
The almond flour pancakes will replace the “feel” of food that they are missing. You can try dates too as you get farther into the intro diet. They will become your candy, as they are very sweet.
You can also make mashed potatoes from cauliflower.
Stay with it! Before long you will wonder how you ever ate the way you used to.
My daughter was in Nicu for 3 weeks on massive amounts of antibiotics. Her immune system was wiped out due to the antibiotics and she constantly got sick and had bad allergies/asthma. Her speech was delayed at 18 months old. She went through 2 sets of tubes. In desperation, at age 4.5 I decided to switch out her diet to avoid getting tube set #3. I had no idea that Gluten, Milk & Sugar all create extra mucous production. I eliminated and reduced as much of these items as possible and she passed her hearing test with 100% accuracy. The ear specialist was amazed that we no longer need tubes or needed to be a patient. Since then, I have added a daily dose of fish oil, probiotics, and vitamin D3 to my daughter’s diet. Guess what? She now rarely gets sick and when she does it’s for a shorter amount of time and she rebounds faster. I put myself on this diet too and my non-stop sinus infections have cleared up as well. I’m now the “healthy one” at work. It’s amazing that we are products of what we put into our bodies.
At 6 mos my son had his first ear infection. It would not go away for months. At 10 months, he still had fluid. We went to the ENT who insisted on tubes. I refused and took my son to our chiropractor. He showed us ways to manipulate his ear to encourage drainage. Two weeks later we went to the pediatrician’s office and his ears were perfect. I manipulate his ears a few times a week and we have no trouble. When he had an ear infection, I rubbed basil essential oil on the outside of his ear to get rid of the infection. It worked without antibiotics. My point is that a chiropractor might have helped alot to avoid tubes for future reference or children.
I also had success with chiropractor for my sons ear infection.
When my son was 18 months old, he began antibiotics for 6 months on and off for recurrent ear infections. Prior to this he had no infections. He was scheduled for adenoid and ear tube surgery when I finally thought to bring him to the chiropractor. After that one visit he has never again had an ear infection and we avoided surgery. He is now 19 years old. There was something out of alignment in his neck, very possibly due to a fall since he was a very active child. I think the key for him was that his first infection was at 18 months so definitely not a structural issue.
Hi there, I was wondering if you could update on how the GAPS diet is working for you? Curious to see how things are going with it now.
HI, I have a couple of questions about GAPs. I have read the book and am planning to implement it GAPS. I suffer from Hashimotos and many digestive problems. I have seen my kids show symptoms of digestive problems also. Is there any store bought yogurt that can be used or do you have to do homemade? If so what is the easiest strain of yogurt for a novice? I have gone gluten free and am feeling tons better but I know I need to heal my gut
Hello, I hope this comment doesn’t come too late to get responses. I am looking for ideas and suggestions.
I also have a preemie, who was in the NICU and on steroids and antibiotics. They also gave him perinatal nutrition through the IV, and I’m still not sure what exactly that was, besides most likely being synthetic. Since he started dabbling in eating, our son has had various issues with malnutrition, and I’m so excited to think that a gut problem that is healable is likely behind it. Yay. I started reading the GAPS book and also realized that his poop fits into the description, as his tends to be fairly acidic, which gives him frequent sore bottoms.
I am wondering a couple of things: 1. I can’t imagine putting one of the six in my family on the intro diet alone, but I can’t imagine being able to convince the rest (kids and especially husband) that this diet is worthwhile and that we should all do it. 2. I am still nursing the preemie, who is a young two year old, about 2-5 times per day. How worried should I be about die-off in my breastmilk?
Thank you in advance.
We had a preemie too with almost the exact same story, and it did wonders for him! It was definitely easier to have the whole family do it! I also did it while nursing, and just did the full GAPS instead of the intro to make sure there wouldn’t be too much die off and that my supply wouldn’t go down…
Did you do the full GAPS for you only or was the whole family on full GAPS? If all of them did the intro diet, how did you convince them to do it? Thanks again. I’ve found your site so wonderful and helpful.
Full for all of us and Intro for the little one on the specific diet…
You are right; our stories are very similar. My preemie was my fourth baby, and I too had placenta previa.
I’ll have to decide whether I will be able to get him to eat a bit differently than the rest of us.
Thanks again for your help, and thanks for this site!