#10 – Troubleshooting GAPS: Withdrawal, Die-off and Glutamates

Withdrawal

I’ve already discussed withdrawal in my previous article Ease into GAPS. Remember to change the diet gradually:
• Go dye free
• Eliminate sugar and “sugar substitutes” (honey & fruit still allowed)
• Go gluten free
• Go pasteurized dairy free (GAPS raw dairy allowed: Yogurt & Kefir)
• Start making most of your meals GAPS-compliant
• Full GAPS
• Do the GAPS Intro / Stages
• Full GAPS

Die-off

Die-off is when candida and other bad bugs die, leaving behind toxic waste products. Uncomfortable die-off reactions can include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, constipation and skin eruptions or rashes. Die-off is induced by consuming probiotics (or anti-fungal prescriptions), and by switching to the GAPS diet (which deprives candida/parasites of their favorite food source: starches and sugars). These die-off waste products affect brain function, making you irritable. Remedies include:
• Drink more water
• Sleep more
• Take an epsom salt bath
• Take an activated charcoal capsule on an empty stomach
• Use a castor oil pack on your liver
• Do a detox footbath if you have access to one

Glutamates

I think everyone knows by now that MSG (monosodium glutamate) is bad for you. It is a known excitotoxin – it literally excites brain cells to death. But you may not know of hidden sources of glutamates. Long cooked beef/chicken bone broth (say, 24 hours) creates a higher concentration of glutamic acid and glutamates, which potentially can flare up ADD, seizure or tic issues. To be on the safe side, make shorter cooked beef/chicken stock made with meat, connective tissue, and bones. And if you purchase packaged foods, be on the lookout for hidden sources of glutamates, including: Autolyzed Yeast, Calcium Caseinate, Gelatin, Glutamate, Glutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Protein, Monopotassium Glutamate, Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Caseinate, Textured Protein, Yeast Extract, Yeast Food, Yeast Nutrient

Please remember that 
no matter your dreams or obstacles, you have the power to change your child’s life. I sincerely hope our resources can help you do just that.

Angela Taylor, MS, CNS, LDN is Board-Certified in Clinical Nutrition and is the author of The BrainFood Cookbook. She successfully recovered her son from autism using the SCD/GAPS/Paleo diet. She resides in Baltimore, MD and holds three degrees from John Hopkins University. Angela is a Licensed Clinical Nutritionist and works with clients via Skype and in-person in Baltimore. www.brainfood-nutrition.com She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Johns Hopkins University teaching Clinical Nutrition.

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