In-Depth Look at Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBrideโs Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet ๐ง ๐๐ฅฉ
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBrideโs groundbreaking book, Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS), outlines a dietary protocol aimed at healing the gut to improve overall health, particularly for those suffering from conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammation. Hereโs a detailed breakdown of what to eat and avoid according to the GAPS diet, with a special focus on its emphasis on animal-based nutrition and the reasons for eliminating plant-based foods.
Key Principles of the GAPS Diet ๐ฅฉ๐ฟ๐ง
The diet is structured around the idea that poor gut health and a damaged intestinal lining are at the root of many physical and mental health issues. By removing inflammatory and hard-to-digest foods and focusing on gut-healing nutrients, the body can repair itself.
What to Eat on the GAPS Diet ๐ฅ๐
1. Meat, Fish, and Animal Products ๐ฅฉ๐๐ณ
Grass-fed Meats: Beef, lamb, goat, and pork are central to the diet, as they are rich in protein, collagen, and amino acids that support gut lining repair.
Poultry: Chicken, turkey, and duck provide easily digestible protein and nutrients.
Organ Meats: Liver, heart, and kidney are highly encouraged for their nutrient density, particularly vitamin A, iron, and zinc.
Fish: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are staples due to their omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation.
Eggs: Organic, pasture-raised eggs are a versatile and nutrient-rich food allowed on the GAPS diet.
2. Bone Broths and Stocks ๐ฒ๐ฆด
Homemade broths made from meat, fish, or poultry bones are central to the GAPS diet. They are rich in gelatin, amino acids, and minerals that soothe and heal the gut lining.
Stocks are used as the base for soups, stews, or consumed alone, especially during the early stages of the diet.
3. Fermented Foods ๐ฑ๐ง
Fermented Dairy: Yogurt, kefir, and sour cream made from raw, full-fat milk are introduced gradually to support gut bacteria.
Fermented Vegetables: While plant-based foods are limited, fermented options like sauerkraut and kimchi are encouraged for their probiotics.
4. Animal Fats and Natural Oils ๐ง๐ฅ
Tallow, Lard, and Duck Fat: These provide energy and essential fatty acids.
Butter and Ghee: Only allowed if they come from grass-fed sources and are free of casein, especially in the introductory stages.
5. Vegetables (in Limited, Well-Cooked Forms) ๐ฅฆ๐ฅ
Only non-starchy, easily digestible vegetables are allowed, such as carrots, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach.
Vegetables are peeled, de-seeded, and cooked thoroughly to minimize fiber and make them gentler on the digestive system.
6. Probiotic Foods ๐๐ฆ
Homemade fermented foods and beverages, like beet kvass and fermented fish, help repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria.
What to Avoid ๐ซโ
1. Grains and Legumes ๐พ๐
All grains, including wheat, rice, oats, and corn, are excluded as they contain anti-nutrients like lectins and phytic acid that can damage the gut lining.
2. Sugars and Sweeteners ๐ฌโ
Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners are eliminated as they feed harmful gut bacteria and yeast.
Only raw honey is allowed in moderation.
3. Starchy Vegetables and High-Fiber Foods ๐ฅ๐ฝ
Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other starchy or fibrous vegetables are excluded because they can ferment in the gut and cause bloating.
4. Processed Foods ๐โ
All processed and packaged foods are avoided, as they often contain additives, preservatives, and unhealthy oils that harm gut health.
5. Dairy (Initially) ๐ฅโ
Most dairy products are avoided, except for fermented options introduced gradually, depending on tolerance.
Special Focus on the Carnivore Aspect of the Diet ๐ฅฉ๐
Dr. Campbell-McBride emphasizes that animal-based foods are the most nutrient-dense and easiest to digest. These foods are believed to provide everything the body needs for repair without introducing anti-nutrients, making them ideal for gut healing.
Why No Plant-Based Foods? ๐ฑโ
Many plants contain compounds like lectins, oxalates, and phytates that irritate the gut lining.
Fiber from plants can worsen digestive symptoms, especially in those with already compromised gut health.
Phases of the GAPS Diet ๐ฐ๏ธ๐ด
1. Introductory Phase ๐ฅโจ
The diet begins with broths, well-cooked meats, and a few boiled vegetables.
Gradual introduction of fermented foods and fats.
2. Full GAPS Diet ๐ณ๐
Incorporates more variety, including eggs, roasted meats, and additional fermented foods.
3. Reintroduction of Foods ๐๐ฟ
After significant gut healing, some foods like nuts, fruits, and dairy can be reintroduced gradually.
Health Benefits Reported by Followers ๐๐ช
Reduced inflammation ๐ก๏ธ๐ฅ
Improved digestion ๐ฟโจ
Relief from chronic illnesses ๐๐งฌ
Better mental clarity and mood stabilization ๐ง ๐
Enhanced energy levels โก๐โโ๏ธ
Final Thoughts on the GAPS Diet ๐ฅฉ๐ง ๐ฒ
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBrideโs Gut and Psychology Syndrome is more than just a dietโitโs a holistic lifestyle aimed at restoring health from the inside out. By focusing on nourishing, healing foods while eliminating potentially harmful plant-based items, the GAPS diet has helped countless individuals regain control over their health. Whether itโs through bone broths, grass-fed meats, or fermented foods, the GAPS diet prioritizes gut healing and offers a revolutionary perspective on the relationship between diet and disease. ๐ฅฉโจ
Lion Diet: Red Meat & Water for Health Transformation ๐ฅฉ๐ง
The strict lion diet consists only of red meat and water, and it has been shown to have powerful effects in reversing conditions like Crohnโs disease. ๐ This diet eliminates all plant-based foods, helping to stop inflammation and restore gut health. Many people report remission of symptoms after committing to this carnivore approach, even when facing serious conditions like Crohnโs.
When someone on this diet experiences a flare-up from eating even a small amount of plant-based foods (like fruit, fiber, or chicken), they quickly realize the importance of staying strict. Bloody diarrhea, cramps, and other painful symptoms follow, making them more determined to avoid triggers. ๐ซ๐ฅ This makes it easier to stay on track with the lion diet, which promotes healing by focusing only on animal products.
As the diet progresses, many find that clinical remission becomes possible, even supported by biopsy results. This diet is not just anecdotal; studies show it can help reduce Crohnโs symptoms by eliminating fiber and carbs. Researchers and healthcare professionals are beginning to recognize that this may be a legitimate method of managing chronic conditions like Crohnโs and fibromyalgia. ๐๐
Those who struggle with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia while adapting to this diet might experience some early discomfort, but itโs often a result of fat adaptation. The body adjusts over weeks or even months to using fat as its primary energy source, rather than carbohydrates. ๐๐ช For those still feeling low energy after several weeks, ensuring adequate water intake, eating enough fat, and being strict with the diet can significantly improve results.
Itโs important to follow the 100% strict version of the diet, focusing on fatty meat and water, which provides the body with everything it needs to heal and thrive. The energy boost often kicks in after one month, but some may need more time for full adaptation. ๐ฅ
By sticking to this carnivore way of life, Crohnโs disease, fibromyalgia, and other autoimmune conditions can improve, and individuals often experience more energy and better overall health. ๐ฏ
The speaker grew up in the Soviet Union, where fermented foods like kefir, fermented milk products, and cottage cheese were common ๐ท๐บ๐ฅ๐ง.
Fermented foods were a part of daily life in their culture ๐ฅ๐ถ.
Soup was a daily tradition in their culture ๐ฒ.
๐จ 90% of deaths in Western countries are due to non-communicable chronic diseases ๐ฅ๐. These are on the rise, and it’s not genetic, it’s environmental ๐. As our diets shift to less biologically appropriate foods ๐ฅฆ๐, these diseases are becoming more widespread.
๐ฑ The change in what we eat is contributing to this, and it’s making these diseases more severe ๐ด. But when we put people on a carnivore diet ๐ฅฉ, we see improvementsโdiseases start to reverse! ๐
๐ฌ Diabetes, for instance, can be reversed with a high-fat, meat-based ketogenic diet ๐ฅ๐, as proven by clinical trials in humans! ๐ In fact, Verda Health in the US has helped over 25,000 people reverse their Type 2 diabetes! ๐ฉบ
๐ก 100 years ago, the only treatment for diabetesโType 1 or Type 2โwas a high-fat, meat-based ketogenic diet ๐ฅฉ. Insulin came later and brought in carbs, which wasn’t the original treatment! Now, we’ve rediscovered this diet, and diabetes is going away! ๐
๐ฟ Blood pressure issues can also disappear ๐. Many people are coming off medication for this! ๐ Autoimmune conditions? The best approach could be a meat-based diet ๐ฅฉ, which helps the body recover and fight back! ๐ช
๐ฅ Autoimmune diseases might stem from your body’s reaction to toxins like lectins ๐งช, gluten ๐พ, and other plant-based toxins that damage the gut and let harmful substances into the bloodstream ๐ฅ. These can trigger your immune system ๐ฆ to attack itself, causing inflammation ๐ฅ.
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a top neurosurgeon in Europe, healed her child’s autism with a heavily meat-based diet ๐๐ฅฉ. She believes plant toxins, like lectins and gluten, can harm the body, attacking your thyroid, gut, and nervous system ๐คฏ.
๐ง Cross-reactions with your bodyโs tissues can also lead to diseases like multiple sclerosis or thyroid issues ๐คง. But by cutting out these plant toxins ๐ฑ and focusing on meat, we can help reverse many conditions ๐ฉธ.
๐ Ruminant animals (like cows and lamb ๐) can break down harmful plant toxins, lowering your toxic load ๐ก๏ธ. These animals ferment plants in their stomachs, filtering out the toxins ๐ฆ before they reach you!
๐งช For autoimmune patients, a pure red meat and water diet ๐ฅฉ๐ง is life-changing. Iโve seen Hashimoto’s patients ๐ฉโโ๏ธ with high antibodies come down to zero after sticking to this strict diet for over a year! ๐
With these changes, antibody levels drop, and health improves ๐. Itโs a long journey, but it works! ๐
๐ช Stay committed, and the results will come! ๐
๐ The Journey to Health and Fitness ๐
Sometimes, people eat all kinds of junk ๐๐, knowing itโs not good for them. But sometimes, all you need is someone there to encourage you to keep going ๐ช, to stay active ๐โโ๏ธ, and to keep moving in the right direction. Thatโs exactly what Iโve been doing!
๐ Today marks 1,000 days on the Lion Diet (October 11th, 2023) ๐ฆ, starting from January 14th, 2021. Even when I was 17 years old, I didnโt feel as good as I do now, even though I weigh the same as I did back then! Back in high school, I had to lose 20 pounds to avoid wrestling in the heavyweight class ๐ฅ. Now, Iโm living my best health ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ, and Iโm even lighter than when I started the Lion Diet! ๐ฅฉ
๐ฉบ Health Transformation: When I began, I had high blood pressure โฌ๏ธ. Now? My last doctor’s visit showed a perfect blood pressure reading of 119/79 โ just about as good as it gets! โ My lipid panel looks fantastic: My HDL is up, triglycerides are down ๐, and my LDL is in the normal range (not that it matters much, right? ๐).
๐ Old Clothes, New Me: I even tried on some old clothes that I wore during my first video about the Lion Diet, and wow! ๐ฑ The shirt I wore in my first month is now so loose, it feels like a blanket ๐๏ธ. I can’t even wear it anymore, but Iโm not complaining because itโs all about progress!
๐งฅ Another shirt I wore back then now fits like a loose jacket ๐งฅ, and my pants from that time are too big to even stay on! ๐ฉณ I even did a throwback to a video where I wore a favorite shirt, and now thereโs so much space in it that I could fold it over and fit a whole other body inside! ๐
๐ก The Truth About Diet: I used to be the first one to get sick ๐คง when anyone in my family caught something. But now, with the power of the carnivore diet ๐ฅฉ, my immune system is stronger than ever ๐ช, and I can breeze through illnesses like nothing. My family is transitioning away from ultra-processed foods, and though theyโre not fully on the carnivore train yet, theyโve seen the benefits. ๐
๐ฅฉ The Fasting Experiment: I’ve been doing 3-day-a-week fasting while on a carnivore diet ๐ for the past 8 weeks, and the results are amazing! I can feel my body healing ๐ฅ, my cells rejuvenating, and Iโm diving deep into ketosis ๐ฅ. Iโve also been enjoying holiday ribeye roasts ๐ฅฉ (at $6.99 per pound!), making fasting worth the wait!
๐ดโโ๏ธ Movement Matters: I used to think โeat less, move moreโ was just another excuse for the food industry ๐๐, but Iโve realized movement is still important for overall health. Thatโs why Iโve been walking ๐ถโโ๏ธ and even started rucking ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ regularly. But I also found that sprinting ๐โโ๏ธ can give me the results I want in a shorter amount of time! Iโve missed a few days, but even after a few days off, I was amazed by how good I felt after just 5 quick sprints! ๐จ
The impact of these changes has been incredible! ๐ฅ The journey may not be easy, but itโs worth it for a healthier, stronger, and more energetic life! ๐
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