The GAPS™ Nutritional Program is based on theories which have achieved great popularity in the scientific community and been confirmed by various studies.

Most people with the GAPS condition have Gut related problems, which started from compromised gut flora. The microbial status of the human body establishes and supports the numerous functions:

  • Appropriate digestion,  absorption and elimination of food, preventing the most common deficiencies in magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, calcium, manganese, sulphur, phosphorus, iron, potassium, vanadium, boron, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, A, D, folic acid, pantothenic acid, omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids, taurine, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, glutathione and many other amino-acids
  • Prevention of Anemia, because many abnormal pathogenic bacteria species are iron-loving  
  • Synthesis of various nutrients: vitamin K, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, various amino-acids and proteins
  • Protection for the gut surface from invaders and toxins by providing a natural barrier and producing a lot of anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal substances, preventing intestinal permeability (“Leaky” Gut)
  • Nourishment and energy production (60 – 70%) for the gut lining
  • Appropriate production of immune cells, immunoglobulins and other parts of the immunity
  • Balance of immune system and prevention of autoimmunity
  • Control of the different opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi (most common are –  Candida and Clostridia species); preventing them from producing toxic substances, which get absorbed into the blood stream, carried to the brain and cross the blood – brain barrier, causing different neurological and psychiatric symptoms (“Leaky” brain).

The GAPS Nutritional Program is based on “Healing and Sealing” the gut lining, optimizing microflora, preventing non-adequate immunity, faulty brain functioning and establishing long term nutritional and microbial balance for the body. This approach will help children and adults with Gut and Psychology/Physiology Syndrome to be healthier and have an independent, productive and happy lifestyle.

Books, recommended for further understanding and self-education

by Scott C. Anderson , John F. Cryan, Ted Dinan.

by David Perlmutter and Kristin Loberg

by Dr. Datis Kharrazian

by Justin Sonnenburg and Erica Sonnenburg

by Moises Velasquez-Manoff

List of related studies and scientific articles

Gut and brain connection:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05113-0

  • Mother’s microbiome determines offspring’s risk of developing autism

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180718/Mothers-microbiome-determines-offsprings-risk-of-developing-autism.aspx

  • When Gut Bacteria Change Brain Function

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/06/gut-bacteria-on-the-brain/395918/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_content=cm

  • Gut to brain interaction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: a randomized controlled trial on the role of probiotics on clinical, biochemical and neurophysiological parameters.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27260271

  • Gut microbiota in autism and mood disorders.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26755882

  • The potential role of probiotics in the management of childhood autism spectrum disorders.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22114588

  • Can probiotics benefit children with autism spectrum disorders?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28028357

  • The Brain-Gut Connection

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-brain-gut-connection

  • Pay attention to your gut-brain connection – it may contribute to your anxiety and digestion problems

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection

  • The Gut-Brain Connection: How it Works and The Role of Nutrition

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection

  • Gut-brain axis

https://www.nature.com/collections/dyhbndhpzv

 

“Leaky” Gut hypothesis:

  • Alterations of the intestinal barrier in patients with autism spectrum disorders and in their first-degree relatives.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20683204

  • A review explores the influence of probiotics on intestinal barrier integrity in various disease states.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/div-classtitlecan-probiotics-modulate-human-disease-by-impacting-intestinal-barrier-functiondiv/DEF63ACAC72D015CADD2E6EB35D4AD59

  • Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440529/

  • Toxins From the Gut

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566437/

 

Special diets and Supplements affecting a neurodevelopmental disorders:

  • The effect of dietary supplements on clinical aspects of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28438367

  • Fermented foods, microbiota, and mental health: ancient practice meets nutritional psychiatry

https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1880-6805-33-2#Sec7

  • Ketogenic, GFCF diets appear to benefit children with ASD

https://www.autism.com/ketogenic_and_gfcf_research

  • How nutritional status, diet and dietary supplements can affect autism. A review.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23789306

  • Modulation of Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis by Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Diet.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26306709

  • In some cases of autism the Ketogenic diet (or GAPS ketogenic version) could be also helpful:

The Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment Paradigm for Diverse Neurological Disorders

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321471/

  • Autism and dietary therapy: case report and review of the literature.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23666039

  • Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235907/

  • A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Digestive Enzymes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26243847

  • There is some small pilot study on GAPS diet, which is in development stage:

http://richmondmagazine.com/life–style/health/scientific–community-09-09-2013/