The Role of GAPS Diet: Managing Digestive Issues in Neurocognitive Diseases

Introduction:

The GAPS diet (gut and psychology syndrome) gained increasing popularity over a decade due to its promising effects on neurocognitive improvement, particularly in the case of autism and other mental health conditions in young children. This eating plan focuses on healing the gut and restoring gut-brain communication. Read the article to learn about it.

Is the GAPS Diet Effective for Gastrointestinal Issues in Neurocognitive Impairment?

The GAPS diet is not considered to be generally a weight-loss diet, but rather, a specifically restrictive diet method that is planned or intended for naturally treating individuals specifically younger children as well as adolescents suffering from conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD - a disability affecting the capability of a person to be still, concentrations, and control impulses), dyslexia (disability in learning to read, write, or spell) or other related mental health conditions or experiences. These children suffering from negative neurocognitive changes including autism, would experience multiple gastrointestinal issues, reduced digestibility, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.

The GAPS diet was a plan that was developed by Natasha Campbell-McBride, the revered physician and author specializing in neurology and nutrition degrees. Because of her personal experience with autism in her son, she soon formulated and published her research findings in the book “Gut and Psychology Syndrome." This book gives an insight into the dietary impact on neurological health or outlines the direct brain-gut connection that can help individuals suffering from neurocognitive disabilities. Further, the author then established detailed nutritional guidelines that are known as the "GAPS Nutritional Protocol" which is a dietary management plan that is successfully aimed at rehabilitating or managing autistic, mentally disabled patients or even patients with learning disabilities or those suffering from similar mental health issues, anxiety, and stress-related conditions.

What Are the Phases of the GAPS Diet?

The GAPS diet is a diet plan that is based on a rationale similar to the specific carbohydrate diet. These dietary guidelines involve the elimination of most grains, sugars, and simple starches. The specific carbohydrate diet was used mainly in the management of gastrointestinal conditions, specifically treating celiac disease (an illness caused due to an immune reaction to gluten consumption), and in the management of Crohn's disease (a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract) and ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum) are both types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD - a group of disorders involving chronic inflammation of the digestive tract). This GAPS diet plan also focuses on the same rationale intended to be gut-friendly.

• Phase 1: The introductory phase with a scope for limited food selection is eventually followed by a full-scale diet. The introductory phase comprises homemade meat, stocks, consumption of non-starchy vegetables, fermented foods like sauerkraut, fermented dairy, fresh vegetables, homemade broths or products, organic products, egg yolks, and avocados.

• Phase 2: After the introductory phase, you are then allowed as per the dietary plan to include more food items gradually, such as nut butter, pancakes, homemade ghee, almond flour-based bread, egg whites, grilled meats, olive oil-tossed foods or veggies, homemade juices, apples (raw or cooked). However, these foods are only allowed after the successful implementation of the introductory phase.

The GAPS diet protocol ideally needs to be followed for around one to two years before you begin with all other types of varied food groups. According to the author of the GAPS diet, the focus should be on relieving the digestive symptoms or the gastrointestinal symptoms of affected individuals. This can happen with the regular and strict implementation of the introductory phase of the diet. Once the digestibility of the patients is improved, new foods can be introduced, such as the ones enlisted above, gradually switching over to consumption of a variety of other food groups.

What Are the Drawbacks of the GAPS Diet?

One of the major drawbacks of this diet form is that it heavily relies on animal protein consumption, according to current nutrition researchers, which means that vegans or vegetarians may have very limited food options. Individuals with tree nut allergies can also find many foods on the list non-adaptable into their diet form.

What Are the Benefits of the GAPS Diet?

However, for individuals preferring a gluten-free or peanut-free diet, you can implement this for individuals with affected neurocognitive diseases. One other added advantage is that the GAPS diet focuses mainly on avoiding commercial foods and broths. Just like other balanced or healthy nutritious diet forms, when you consume less refined or processed foods and preparations with added sugars or salt, you will also simultaneously cut back on your long-term risk of developing chronic diseases. Hence, the need for more homemade and healthy nutrient-rich preparations is emphasized particularly.

What foods are recommended in the GAPS diet?

Meal planning is an important part of the GAPS diet. The following list of food items is an imperative part of the diet plan. These are:

• Leafy greens such as microgreens, bok choy, collard greens, green leafy veggies, spinach, lettuce, and kale.

• Non-starchy vegetables ranging from cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, to other fresh veggies like cucumbers, green beans, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, okra, and zucchini can be taken.

• Fresh fruits like berries, raisins, oranges, pineapples, bananas, and grapefruit.

• Meat and poultry products that are organic.

• Fish like sea bass, cod, mackerel, salmon, halibut, tuna fish.

• Fermented dairy products such as ghee, yogurt, and kefir.

• Fermented vegetables or pickled veggies like kimchi and sauerkraut.

• Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, and walnuts.

• Nut butter that is derived from cashew, almond, or hazelnut.

• Nut flour of cashew, almond, or hazelnut.

Why Does the GAPS Diet Exclude Grains and Legumes?

The GAPS diet tries to eliminate almost all the grains and legumes. While this can be considered a digestible advantage for those suffering from autism or other neurovascular or neurocognitive diseases with digestive issues, according to current research, eliminating whole grains and legumes would mean cutting down on the consumption of essential heart-healthy fiber as well. Contradiction among nutrition experts varies and often surrounds the debate of the advantages against disadvantages of excluding whole grains and legumes.

It is important to therefore consult with your registered healthcare professional or nutritionist who can give you a detailed insight if you or your loved ones are suffering from digestive issues due to neurocognitive autism or other mental health diseases. Your registered healthcare professional will analyze your medical and neurological history, taking into account several local and systemic factors, considering how best to improve your overall digestibility, while also trying to chart out your long-term nutritional goals and bring about an improvement in your systemic health.

Conclusion:

To conclude, though the GAPS diet may be a restrictive dietary form, research indicates that to improve the digestibility of individuals suffering from mental or neurocognitive diseases, they can benefit from this gradual phase-by-phase diet. Consulting your registered healthcare professional or a nutritionist if you have neurocognitive or digestive issues can help you boost and track your systemic health progress.