All diseases begin in
the gut – Hippocrates, 460-370 BC
I have read that approximately 85% of our immune systems are
in our digestive tracts.
Did you know that a healthy adult carries about 4.4 lbs. or 2 kg of
bacteria in the gut? “There are more cells
in that microbial mass than there are cells in an entire human body. It is a
highly organized micro-world, where certain species of bacteria have to
predominate to keep us healthy physically and mentally. Their role in our
health is so monumental that we simply can’t afford to ignore them.”
But in our modern world, many of us have been exposed to
different influences that ultimately damage the gut and cause an imbalance in
our gut flora. “An immune system in a body with abnormal bacterial flora is
exposed to a whole host of extremely toxic substances, many of which have a
direct damaging effect on immunity. These toxins come from all the
opportunistic microbes, which happily overgrow in the gut and elsewhere in the
body of a person with GAP Syndrome (Gut and Psychology Syndrome), thanks to the
absence of beneficial flora’s control.”
“Gut flora’s influence on the immune system reaches far
beyond the gut itself. Research shows that when the gut flora is damaged, not
only the levels of IgA, lymphocytes, macrophages, interferons, cytokines, etc.,
in the digestive system drop, but the whole immune system in the body gets out
of balance. This process makes the person immune-compromised.”
“When the digestive wall is overrun by abnormal gut flora, it
becomes damaged and leaky. A constant stream of invaders and undigested food
comes through the damaged epithelial barriers in the gut. The immune system has
to deal with all that, while being malnourished, deficient, compromised,
unbalanced and intoxicated.”
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of the book, “Gut and
Psychology Syndrome” and creator of the GAPS Diet, has linked the connection
between an unhealthy, damaged gut to learning
disabilities such as ADD, ADHD, autism,
depression, schizophrenia, allergies, eczema and the list goes on. Common symptoms
of abnormal gut flora are Irritable Bowel Syndrome (abdominal pain, bloating,
constipation and /or diarrhea, and flatulence), malnutrition, acid reflux and
heartburn.
But most important, her research and studies have shown the
connection between abnormal gut flora and a compromised immune system.
And a compromised immune system can lead to chronic sickness
and disease. So how do you restore healthy gut flora and heal your gut and your
immune system? According to Dr. Campbell-McBride – go on a healing diet (GAPS),
take probiotics, detox, and avoid influences that can damage immunity:
The Top 10 Influences Which Damage Immunity
- Sugar and everything containing it:
sweets, soft drinks, candy, ice cream, etc.
- Processed carbohydrates: cakes,
bisquits, chips, snacks, breakfast cereals, white bread, pasta.
- Chemically altered and artificial
fats: margarines, butter replacements, cooking and vegetable oils,
processed foods prepared with these fats.
- Lack of high quality protein in the
diet from meats and fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts and seeds.
- Exposure to man-made chemicals:
cleaning and washing chemicals, personal care products, paints, fire
retardants, petrochemicals, pesticides, etc.
- Exposure to man-made radiation:
electronic screens (TV, computers, play stations,etc.), mobile phones,
high-power electricity lines, nuclear stations, nuclear wastes.
- Drugs: antibiotics, steroids,
antidepressants, painkillers, anticancer medication, anti-viral drugs,
etc.
- Lack of fresh air and physical
activity
- Lack of exposure to sunlight.
- Lack of exposure to common microbes in the environment. Living in a too sterilized environment is strongly associated with compromised immunity. The immune system needs constant stimulation from the microbes in the environment.
Excerpt from “Gut and Psychology
Syndrome” by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride
After reading, Gut and Psychology Syndrome, I knew that I
was the perfect candidate for the GAPS Diet. I had a history of gut problems (since I was a teenager) that I wanted to resolve once and for all. And I was ready for the emotional
commitment, time, food preparation and restrictions that were necessary in
following this healing protocol.
THE GAPS DIET to be cont:
All quotes from, “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” by Dr.
Natasha Campbell-McBride MMedSci(neurology),
MMedSci(nutrition)
