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 The GAPS Protocol, short for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is an elimination diet. Its main focus is to heal and re-establish the microbiome in the gut by cutting out foods like grains and processed sugars. 

The GAPS Protocol is acknowledged by prominent natural health practitioners as the most effective protocol to heal Leaky Gut Syndrome. As the gut begins to recover, chronic conditions and symptoms from illness will improve. 

Once the gut is completely healed, which takes from one to two years, you can periodically eat restricted foods without recurring symptoms or illness. 

The theory behind the GAPS Protocol is that all health begins in the gut. The gut’s microbiome, which develops before birth, serves as the foundation of the body’s overall wellness.

Unfortunately, the microbiome is often damaged by toxins and poor nutrition. This leads to Leaky Gut Syndrome, which is when holes form in the gut lining. These holes allow toxins and bits of undigested food into the tissues underneath. A place where food is not supposed to go. 

Leaky Gut Syndrome causes imbalances, which leads to a host of problems. These can include poor immune response, inflammation, digestive distress, food allergies, and more.  

To heal holes in the gut, the GAPS Protocol removes foods that are inflammatory triggers and replaces them with nutrient-dense food that’s easy to digest. Over time, the gut lining uses good nutrients and healthy fats to mend its walls.

Once the gut has re-sealed itself, the GAPS Protocol has served its purpose. The patient can once again enjoy inflammatory foods in moderation without adverse effects. However, they cannot go back to the poor diet they had before, or the gut will once again become permeated. 

Nutrition must become a priority to maintain the progress made by the GAPS Protocol.   

 The GAPS Protocol was created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. 

Dr. Campbell-McBride began her journey at Bashkir Medical University in Russia, where she graduated with honors in 1984. Since then, she’s added two Postgraduate Degrees in Neurology and Human Nutrition from Sheffield University in the UK. 

She believed that many bodily imbalances stem from a damaged microbiome and increased intestinal permeability. She wrote the GAPS Protocol to seal the gut, heal the lining, and repopulate the microbiome. Once the gut was healthy, she found that many imbalances and symptoms healed along with it. 

Her inspiration and reason to bring the GAPS Protocol to life was for her son, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. Dr. Campbell-McBride thoroughly studied biology, neurology, biochemistry, and nutrition to find any links to healing her son’s symptoms. 

After much study and diet change, she noticed an enormous shift in her son. He grew to show no signs of autism at all. Dr. Campbell-McBride shifted her professional focus to specialize in autistic children, and the GAPS Protocol was born. 

Shortly after, she wrote the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome to share her rich knowledge of nutrition education with the world.