The title of this post may sound like a bit of hyperbole, but I have to say that this book really did change my life. When I saw that Modern Mrs. Darcy was going to be hosting a blog carnival where bloggers could showcase a book that changed their life, I immediately knew I would be writing about Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride.
It may seem odd that a book about a healing protocol would be the first thing to jump into my mind. You might think I would share something more philosophical or spiritual. But this book, and following Dr. Campbell-McBride’s protocol, has given me a new lease on life and sent me on a new path.
Rather than go into great detail about the book itself and the healing protocol outlined by Dr. Natasha. I thought I would just give you a quick summary and then jump right into the four ways it’s changed my life. Well, let’s get to it, already!
GAPS Summary
For those of you immersed in this way of life, you know that we all just shorten the title of the book to GAPS (and we call ourselves GAPSters!). Basically this is a healing protocol that includes a specific diet, detoxification, and a few specific supplements to help heal those suffering from a myriad of diseases. It ranges from autism to depression to food intolerances, and so much more in between. I chose to get started with this to specifically try to heal my food intolerances and help prevent some of the diseases of our modern lifestyles.
How GAPS Changed My Life
After implementing the GAPS protocol for nine months now (where has the time gone!), I’ve noticed some significant changes in my life. I thought I would share the four areas which really stand out to me.
My Relationship with Food
The way I relate to my food is dramatically different since I started the GAPS diet. I used to have all sorts of cravings, particularly for sweet and starchy foods. Since I’ve had to remove all starch and sweeteners (except for fruit and honey), I just don’t have those kinds of cravings anymore. I think the addition of lots of healthy fats and fermented foods have also helped take away those cravings.
In relation to that, I find that I am much more satisfied after eating a meal than I used to be. I don’t feel hungry again an hour later. And all of this has helped to stabilize my blood sugar. It used to be that I would get hungry frequently throughout the day and if I didn’t eat something soon, I would get all shaky and light-headed. Now when I do get hungry, it doesn’t usually continue on to that next stage. I’m just hungry!
Improved My Health
Typical GAPS Dinner
One of my main reasons for following GAPS was to eliminate my food intolerances, and therefore continue to manage my asthma without medication. (My asthma has seemed to be triggered by my food intolerances.) I’m happy to say that I’ve been breathing really well over these last nine months, and I was able to reduce the herbal supplement I’ve been taking to help support my breathing. I have already been off of my asthma meds for several years now.
I’ve also been starting to add some foods back in my diet that I used to react to. Lately I’ve added in blueberries, cranberries, and sesame seeds. Early on in the diet, I added back in grass-fed beef and can now even eat beef that has been fed grains if that’s my only option. I am also starting to very slowly add back in cow’s milk dairy. A huge step for me! I’ve been including ghee in my diet for the last six weeks. And as of this past Friday, I have started to add in a small amount of pastured butter. I had forgotten how good butter tastes!
Awareness of My Body
In our modern culture, it’s often easy to overlook how the food we eat or the lifestyle we live directly affects the health of our bodies. I had started to become more aware of that before beginning my GAPS journey, but it’s even more obvious since starting GAPS. My body showed me how affected it was by the changes I had made through rashes and exhaustion levels. It’s been interesting to see how small changes can make such a difference.
I’ve also become more aware of when I am hungry and when I am full. While that sounds like a pretty straightforward thing, I think my years of trying out different diets in my twenties really messed with my own sense of satiety. I’m glad to feel like I am aware of my body’s hunger needs now.
A New Purpose
Fellow GAPSters
Since implementing what I’ve learned from this book, I’ve found a new purpose in my life. I have discovered again how much I enjoy writing through this blog and I love being able to tell my story as I continue on this journey.
I have always enjoyed helping and teaching others and it’s so fulfilling to be able to share the skills I’ve learned with others both online and in person. It’s gratifying to put together tutorials that I think will help others be able to start their own journey towards better health.
Connecting with other people who are learning how to incorporate real, traditional food into their diets has given me such a passion for this topic! It’s inspiring to learn about others’ stories and the benefits they’ve seen. I’ve loved chatting with them both in the virtual world and also at various meetings and get togethers here in the Boulder area.
Gut and Psychology Syndrom Really Did Change My Life
As hokey as it may sound, my life really has been changed because of this book. I’d encourage anyone who is struggling with any sort of health problem to pick it up and read it. While it may not cure every ill, there’s a good chance it would be very beneficial regardless of the issue. It’s certainly made a profound difference in my life so far!
This post is part of Monday Mania, Fat Tuesday, Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Fight Back Friday, Freaky Friday, Traditional Tuesdays.
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Oh, I get this. We just figured out our 7 year old was allergic to soy. I happened to connect the dots through a conversation with a friend, but it could have just as easily come through a book. Regardless, the difference it has made in our lives has been phenomenal.
I don’t think it sounds hokey at all, because I’ve seen this play out in my own life–right down to the supportive online community!
Thanks so much for sharing–I think this is an issue that could use some awareness, and getting healthy definitely changes lives!
Thanks, Anne! I’m glad you were able to figure put the soy issue for your child. It really can make such a difference once you find out. Removing the foods I had issues with allowed me to slowly get off of all my asthma meds. Now I’m hoping to heal my gut so I can add some of those foods back in!
The book sounds interesting and I am happy for you that it has helped!
I haven’t been to all the links, but it is interesting to see all the variety of books that have been posted!
Thanks for stopping by, Deborah! I haven’t had a chance to look at too man of the links yet, but I’m curious to see what books everyone posts about.
Mindy,
I went on a 10 day cleanse and have never felt better. I found that just a little suger or white flour slows me down dramatically. I will be getting this book. Thanks for the tips. Keep up the writing.
Hi Brian!
I’m glad you’re feeling better after your cleanse. It’s amazing what a difference sugar and white flour makes in our bodies, isn’t it? You’ll have to let me know what you think of the book after reading it!
The GAPS diet significantly changed my son’s life too! He’s been on it (mostly) for 6 months. He’d always had digestive issues, since birth really, but they were exasperated with a string of ear infections in his first year and corresponding antibiotics. At a year old, he had chronic diarrhea and seemed to be developing a new allergy/intolerance every couple of weeks. He was very thin and sick all the time.
I had been reading about GAPS for a while, and had even tried it with him for a short amount of time, but given up quickly, because the die-off was making him have ear infections that wouldn’t go away.
When he was 18 months old, we started GAPS with him, and he’ll be 2 years old very soon. All of his food intolerances have disappeared, including his problems with dairy. Even the smallest amount of butter would give him pure diarrhea. He still has a sensitive tummy and will have diarrhea from time to time. But, he is so much improved! And, he’s gained weight and his palate has widened! His front teeth (the ones that were in before starting GAPS) were very tight and crowded, but his back teeth (which started coming in a few months into GAPS) have tons of room between them. He’s only had one cold since starting GAPS.
Unfortunately, he does have a pretty severe peanut allergy that developed after starting GAPS. I’m not hopeful that it will be healed from GAPS. But, I love the progress we’ve seen!
I do allow him small amounts of rice or potatoes or beans every once in a while, and I probably need to do more probiotics, but overall we’ve adhered very strictly!
I’m so glad to hear about your son’s remarkable progress, Rebekkah! I’m sure you’re giving him such a great future health-wise by doing all of this now. It’s so great when you can see results so quickly!