GAPS Protocol for Kids:

If your child is suffering from an emotional or mental challenge, please seek help, but do
so from someone who does not regard psychotropic drugs as a first line of defense.
Please understand that behavioral problems in children including what might
appear to be serious mental disorders are very frequently related to improper diet,
emotional upset, and exposure to toxins.
Increasingly, scientific evidence shows that nourishing your gut flora with the beneficial
bacteria found in traditionally fermented foods (or a probiotic supplement) is extremely
important for proper brain function, and that includes psychological well-being and mood
control. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride has successfully demonstrated the power and
effectiveness of this theory. In her Cambridge, England clinic, she successfully treats
children and adults with a wide range of conditions, including autism, ADD/ADHD,
neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, immune disorders, and digestive problems
using the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) Nutritional Program, which she
developed.
Her GAPS theory which is fully explained in her excellent book, Gut and Psychology
Syndrome is an elegant description of how such conditions can develop as a direct
result of gastrointestinal toxicity. Another helpful tool is my three-part interview with a
renowned children's health expert, the late Dr. Lendon Smith, on Non-Drug Treatment
of ADD/ADHD. Here are a few additional guidelines to help you address underlying
toxins in your child, without, or at least BEFORE, agreeing to any kind of drug therapy:
1. Severely limit or eliminate fructose from your child's diet, as sugar/fructose has
been linked to mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenia.
2. Avoid giving your child ANY processed foods, especially those containing artificial
colors, flavors, and preservatives. This includes lunchmeats and hot dogs, which
are common food staples in many households.
3. Replace soft drinks, fruit juices, and pasteurized milk with pure water. This is
HUGE since high fructose corn syrup is a primary source of calories in children.
4. Make sure your child is getting large regular doses of healthy bacteria, either with
high-quality fermented organic foods and/or high-quality probiotic supplements.
5. Give your child plenty of high-quality, animal-based omega-3 fats like krill oil. Also,
make sure to balance your child's intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fats, by
simultaneously limiting their intake of vegetable oils.
6. Include as many whole organic foods as possible in your child's diet, both to
reduce chemical exposure and increase nutrient content of each meal. See
my nutrition plan for a comprehensive guide to healthful eating.
7. Also reduce or eliminate grains from your child's diet, especially wheat. Beyond
the fact that even healthy organic whole grains can cause problems as they, too,
break down into sugars, gluten-containing grains have pharmacologically active
peptides that can contribute to cognitive and behavioral issues in susceptible
children.
Additionally, whole and even sprouted wheat contains physiologically significant
amounts of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which can have adverse effects on
mental health due to its neurotoxic actions. Wheat can also interfere with the
production of serotonin, the largest concentration of which can, again, be found in
your intestines, not your brain. Try eliminating all gluten-containing grains first for
1-2 weeks and see if you don't notice a significant improvement in your child's
behavior.
8. Avoid artificial sweeteners and colors of all kinds.
9. Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise and outdoor playtime, remembering
that midday sunlight provides the UVB wavelengths necessary to produce vitamin
D3.
10. Get them out into the sun to help maintain optimal vitamin D levels. Scientists are
now beginning to realize vitamin D is involved in maintaining the health of your
brain, as they've recently discovered vitamin D receptors in the brain, spinal cord,
and central nervous system. There's even evidence indicating vitamin D improves
your brain's detoxification process. For children and pregnant women, getting
enough vitamin D is especially crucial, as it may play a major role in protecting
infants from autism. If natural sun exposure is not feasible, for whatever reason,
you can use either a safe tanning bed or an oral vitamin D3 supplement.
11. Give your child a way to address his or her emotion health. Even children can
benefit from the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which you or an EFT
practitioner can teach them to use.
12. Be sure you are also providing positive praise to your child. Dr. Smith
believed parents should be able to say nice things to their child twice as
often as they give commands or ask questions. If you are shouting and
scolding more than you are complimenting and rewarding your child, it could be
contributing to psychiatric problems.
13. Prevent exposure to toxic metals and chemicals by replacing personal care
products, detergents, and household cleaners with all-natural varieties. Metals like
aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury are commonly found in thousands of
different food products, household products, personal products, and untold
numbers of industrial products and chemicals. Also be aware of exposure to
metals from vaccinations and dental fillings. The presence of toxic metals in your
child's body is highly significant, as they are capable of causing serious health
problems by interfering with normal biological functioning. The health effects range
from minor physical ailments to chronic diseases, and altered mood and behavior.