Baden Lashkov - GAPS Guide Simple Steps to Heal Bowels, Body, and Brain

GAPS GUIDE:

SIMPLE STEPS TO HEAL BOWELS, BODY, AND BRAIN

2 nd Edition

Copyright 0953458 B.C. Ltd., 2013

Author Info & Contact:

Baden D. Lashkov

www.gapsguide.com

Cover design:

Jennifer Poohachoff

Cover image:

Photo by Allan Jenkins

Observer Magazine Organic Allotment

www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/allotment

Project Management: Skylark Disraeli

Editors: Kristine Thornley, Skylark Disraeli

Proofreaders: Skylark Disraeli, Christine Dudgeon

Indexer: Christine Dudgeon

Layout: Kristine Thornley

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), or translated, without the prior written permission of the author.

The author of this book is not engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. The information within the GAPS Guide book and reference materials contained on related websites are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used for treatment purposes, but rather for discussion with the subjects own physician and other health care providers. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available in the GAPS Guide book and through the associated website is for general information purposes only. If you have persistent health problems or if you have further questions, please consult your health care provider. All users of the GAPS Guide book and visitors to GAPS Guide associated websites agree to read and abide by the complete terms of this agreement. The GAPS Guide book and the gapsguide.com website do not constitute an attempt to practice medicine. The author shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book. While the author has made every effort to provide accurate Internet addresses at the time of publication, the author assumes no responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

Recently, I was lobbying to a committee for new options for marginalized people. Specifically, I was pitching that the group focus its efforts on increasing marginalized peoples access to housing and disability benefits cheques, so that they could rest deeply, and feed themselves food that was healthy for their bodies, rather than the donuts and coffee commonly served at shelters. When I explained that these were the social supports that had helped me, one member looked at me and said, But, youre different. Youre smart, clear, and articulate. That wouldnt work for them.

No, Im not different, I replied. Thats my point. If you had seen me years ago, you would have seen one more of them. The only difference is that Ive had several years of safe, quiet housing and real food. Give any person on the street the same things, and in a few years youll see another happy, articulate person in our circle.

This book includes my experience of recovery from mental illness. Although every attempt has been made to be as accurate as possible, the account provided is only a general summary. In order to focus on the how of recovery, thisand the six other stories of recovery provided within this Guideare very sparsely told.

INTRODUCTION

Gut and Psychology Syndrome, commonly referred to as GAPS, is a term used to reflect a state of intestinal bacterial imbalance resulting in any combination of physical, behavioural, emotional, or cognitive symptoms. A program for healing this imbalance proved transformative in the lives of my son and me. Six months after seeing our first results, I started helping other people onlineparents doing it for their kids and others doing it for themselves. This publication is the result. The book shares the stories of seven peoples recoveries, provides practical steps to the program, incorporates answers to frequently asked questions, and directs you to further resources.

This Guide is intended as a companion to the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatments for Dyspraxia, Autism, A.D. D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D ., Depression, and Schizophrenia by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. This Guide is not a condensation of Dr. Campbell-McBrides book. Rather, it is a complementary work, providing tips for the practical application of the program from a lay person.

Dr. Campbell-McBride read the first edition of GAPS Guide before its release and praised it enthusiastically, noting it would be a great help to people accessing it. I was unable to reach Dr. Campbell-McBride to request a pre-read of this edition, so this edition of GAPS Guide has not been read in advance by her. As with the first edition, this Guide includes tips, ideas, and perspectives not presented by Dr. Campbell-McBride. Thus, just as with the first edition, not all of this Guide's content is official GAPS information. Again, the content of this Guide has been developed by a lay person as a result of direct, personal experience and four years of dialogue with countless people doing the program. For Dr. Campbell-McBride's direct perspective, always refer to her work or consult directly with Dr. Campbell-McBride.

I strongly recommend that you also read Dr. Campbell-McBrides book and, at least monthly, Dr. Campbell-McBrides regularly updated FAQ document, as presented in a searchable PDF at www.gapsdiet.com/FAQs.html. I also recommend that you join at least one of the free, online GAPS support groups and/or the peer phone support list (offered through the GAPShelp e-mail list). The e-mail support lists often provide quick answers to specific questions not covered here, as well as infuse your changing lifestyle with wonderful support from real people who are on this journey with you. Similarly, the phone support is an invaluable tool for folks who need to hear a reassuring, live voice. These and additional supports, including four lists of health care practitioners familiar with GAPS, are referenced throughout this Guide. All supports mentioned in this paragraph are linked to from the Support for You page at GAPSguide.com.

The GAPS program is reported to have resolved symptoms of a number of conditions, including Crohns disease, colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, diarrhea, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit (with or without hyperactivity) disorder, anxiety, rheumatoid arthritis, autism spectrum disorder, night wakings, eczema, non-anaphylactic allergies, asthma, behavioural problems, learning disabilities, gas, bloating, psoriasis, constipation, feeding difficulties (including picky eating), colic, reflux, vomiting, heartburn, dyspraxia, urinary and fecal incontinence, malnutrition, stomach pains, stool abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, and more. Really, GAPS is intended to heal one thingan imbalance of gut florawhich merely manifests as any or all of the above. For an ever-expanding list of symptoms reported to have been alleviated or resolved through GAPS, please see the Conditions Addressed page at GAPSguide.com.

Changes to ones diet, exercise routine, medication or any other factor that influences ones health should be conducted under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner. (I am not a health practitioner, so I am not able to provide advice. My presentation is limited to considerations gleaned from personal experience and from experiences reported by others.)