disease begins in the gut

Submitted by Margaret on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 11:19.

Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (nutrition), is one of the world’s leading experts in treating learning disabilities and mental, digestive and immune disorders. Her website is www.gaps.me. I heard her talk at the Festival for Traditional Nutrition held in London last month and cannot recommend her highly enough. She explained that the digestive system is your second brain and that Hippocrates said that all diseases begin in the gut. Gut flora is vital for the appropriate digestion and absorption of food. If a child does not acquire normal balanced gut flora then a child will not digest and absorb foods properly, developing multiple nutritional deficiencies. She treats children naturally at her clinic in Oxford, but is so busy that she has put lots of information on her website so as not to deny any children treatment.

You can view the video of the conference free on vimeo.com/wisetraditionsuk

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Submitted by angie21 on Sat, 07/02/2011 - 21:59.

Has anyone tried the GAPS diet. It seems difficult to adhere to, but if it works I will give it a go.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 07/03/2011 - 08:41.

We haven't followd the GAPS diet strictly to the letter because we don't need to, but we do eat the way Dr Campbell-McBride and the Weston A. Price Foundation recommends and it is really easy and quite delicious. Eliminate all processed and de-natured foods (esp breakfast cereals) and cut down (dramatically) on sugar (a deadly white powder that affects how the brain works). Eat real food (food that has lived), preferably organic. Eat plenty of (organic) butter. Focus on the nutrient value of your food and keep the carbohydrate content low. Make sure all grains are soaked, sprouted or fermented to eliminate anti-nutrients and phytic acid. Sourdough bread is best. Avoid (unfermented) soy. Use raw dairy if possible (available from red23 or Hook and Son). Eat plenty of eggs (good for brains) and try to include liver and shellfish in the diet, and some fermented foods eg yoghurt, sauerkraut etc. Boil up chicken bones to make broth - this heals the gut.

I heard Dr Campbell-McBride talk again at the festival this year and this time she explained the truth about heart disease. She said that metabolic syndrome (too much sugar and insulin in the blood) is the root cause of all the chronic illnesses we see today. Eating as I have described ensures that metabolic syndrome is kept at bay. We have never been fitter. Dr Briffa's website has some good information too.

Submitted by Kitty on Sun, 07/03/2011 - 18:50.

Hi Angela, I've just looked at the site too and a lot of the introduction makes sense and sounds like our family! But i agree that the diet sounds really hard and I'd never get my 2 to eat it, especially not our youngest as he'll only eat a few foods and certainly wouldn't eat a stock or soup!

We are still trying the lactobacillius and omega 3 (got it from Vitality healthfoods). I wonder if there are any other supplements to try that increase healthy gut flora? I think i might start using it too.

How was your week?

Kitty

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 08:02.

Dr Campbell-McBride explains how to get children to follow the diet in her book 'Gut and Psychology Syndrome'.

The best pro-biotic available to promote good gut flora is Bio-Kult available from Red23.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:19.

Soak organic brown rice in water overnight with a dash of vinegar or lemon juice to remove the phytic acid and anti-nutrients. Rinse the next day and simmer gently for around an hour in the stock made from a chicken carcass, until it is all absorbed, The result is a soft delicious rice packed with essential nutrients, easy and economical to prepare.

To make the chicken stock - put all the bones, skin etc intoa saucepan with a dash of vinegar (to draw out the calcium from the bones), cover with water and simmer gently for 1-2 hours. You can add onion, herbs etc if desired. The result will be a delicious gelatinous broth which can be eaten just as it is, or used as a base for soups, sauces, casseroles etc. Highly nutritious and very economical - nothing is wasted. Any bones can be used in the same way.