In the excellent diligence common to GAPSters, we at times persist in seeking a nutritional cause for an issue that may in fact be related to something other than diet. While the food aspect of GAPS can indeed resolve a lot of things, it’s important to remember that there’s an environmental element to the program, too -encompassing the air, our relationships, and more.
If struggling with a specific symptom, consider environmental causes and relevant remedies. For example, even with an excellent diet, one might find dry skin to be an issue. Is your region going through a cold snap? What is the humidity level in your home? Traditional peoples, such as those inspiring the work of Dr Weston Price, did not shower daily in hot water, nor use chemical soaps in a workplace washroom. A move to cooler water, less frequent bathing, plus patting dry and a post-wash application of a simple moisturizer such as coconut oil may resolve your skin’s reaction to a change in external conditions.
Bedwetting can be a matter of sleep that is very deep, a bed too warm or cold, or an interference with physical signals -such as pajamas absorbing the pee, leaving it unnoticed by the child. While many families have seen bedwetting resolved through removal of specific foods or groups or a parasite cleanse, for some children a bedwetting alarm, elimination or addition of pajamas, or another remedy may be key.
Is an immense amount of stress triggering changes in your cortisol levels, thus triggering belly fat and a reactivity to basic stressors? The point of major stress needs to be resolved. For you, is this a change in workplace? The implementation of counselling? The ending of a relationship? Skipping the nightly newscast?
Is your child resisting toileting, or communicating with screams vs words? Non-dietary approaches can prove key -and often work especially beautifully in a child who has some nutritional healing under his belt.
Don’t get me wrong: What food we put into our systems is, yes, an excellent and deeply important starting point. (Like many GAPSters have found for themselves, vegan triathlete Brendan Brazier notes in his book The Thrive Diet that he was convinced he had a seasonal allergy to atmospheric pollen -until he removed corn, in the form of maltodextrin, from his diet and the symptoms disappeared.) Remember, though, that GAPS also encourages other aspects of self-care. Do not underestimate this basic fact: Nutrition is huge and key, but some answers will still lie in environmental, biomechanical, or relational changes.
Great post, Baden! This exact issue has come up for me. After holiday travels in various climates that were dryer, I noticed my food tolerances changed. I was eating “worse” (some sugar, lactose, rice and gluten free products) yet felt fine or little to no symptoms. I was amazed too as how well my brain was doing and how low my stress level was. When I returned to my home in a wet, damp cold climate, my symptoms returned – brain fog, itchy scalp, heavy/tingling limbs, labored breathing, increased fatigue…. I began investigating the air quality in my home and feel that there must be molds and other environmental and climate factors that affect how I feel. As GAPS people, it is important to remember it is a holistic program and lifestyle; not only a way of eating. We must consider water and air quality, personal care products, environmental allergens, industrial pollutants, EMFs, etc. In some ways, I am relieved because I am no longer chasing the notion that it must be nutritional. While important, nutrition can be a dead end path when not seeing the big picture beyond food. So I am getting back on track with boosting nutrition, while also looking into testing for molds and allergens and getting an air purifier (or even moving). If anyone has resources or experiences to share around this, please share. I’d love to hear.
Hey, if one magical diet could solve all my problems, I would seriously doubt that diet.
What a great reminder! I find that even though my diet is exemplary – periods of stress can still result in break outs, itchy scalp and rashes. We’re building a house at the moment and I’m aware that my stress levels are constantly raised. Reading this I’m reminded that all the bone broth in the world won’t help if I’m not taking time out to meditate, going to bed at a reasonable hour and dealing with things one at a time!
I’m also looking forward to our new house with heat recovery ventilation (no more mould spores and damp air) and built in water filter.
Thanks Baden x x x
Naomi, how good to hear from you again! Had a great time checking in with your blog upon hearing from you… So yummy, as always!
All the best with the new house and its improved air and water! Wonderful!
All my best,
Baden
Baden, thanks heaps for your posts. What parasite cleanses do you recommend for adults and children?
Hi Tara,
Dr Natasha has recommended Mebendazole (an easy-to-use, commercial one available in or from many parts of the world). The doses for this are set out in your GAPS Guide book under the section ‘Progressing Further’.
I also like Hulda Clark’s herbal protocol, which is presented -at different doses for kids and adults- in many places online. Its herbs can be purchased in most health shops.
My son and I will soon be trying Renew Life’s -they have one for adults and one for kids- and will report via the blog.
All my best,
Baden
This is not so much re: air & such, though I agree completely, but you mentioned once not liking coconut oil. I have stumbled upon one brand that does not taste like coconut (which my kids hate!) but is completely naturally made: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/expeller-pressed_coconut_oil.htm Just the naturally expreller pressed is the one I’m speaking of. The others they make are great, but very coconutty.
They often have sales on items or shipping, so we stock up when they do. It helps us cut down on butter costs, as you don’t need much of this to cook with. Hope it helps!
Thanks so much, Martha! I really appreciate this
All my best,
Baden