I recommend starting with GAPS -starting from page 28 in your GAPS Guide book, moving from there to full GAPS, then through intro, then back to full GAPS for at least three months before looking into adjunct therapies. I recommend this because this progression will resolve so much, saving you time, effort, learning curve, frustration, money, etc.

All my best,
Baden

Sorry I took so darned long to answer!

The diet aspect of GAPS is based on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. The main book for that, Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall, lists Cystic Fibrosis [of the pancreas] even on its cover, so I would definitely give GAPS a go and see what effects it has for your daughter. The BTVC book doesn’t get into specifics regarding CF, it simply notes that it has been resolved through the SCD.

Many people previously reliant on digestive (pancreatic) enzymes and/or struggling with fat digestion see these issues resolved through the program, yes.

To possibly connect with other families doing GAPS for this, please do join one of the email support lists as presented on this blog’s ‘Support for You’ page.

All my best,
Baden

A few thoughts…

On the one hand, watery stool once a day I wouldn’t particularly worry about at this stage. Many people experience watery stools in healing crisis, regardless of the particulars of their diet. Also, for many people stool consistency is random and all over the map for the first weeks of healing. The stools will sort themselves out. If a person is having multiple, urgent, liquid stools each day, this can be dangerously dehydrating and then I would act on it, but one liquid stool a day I would not worry about.

All of this said, one thing that can trigger liquid stool or diarrhea is starting or increasing probiotics too quickly. A probiotic capsule plus 1-2 teaspoon of kraut juice three times per day is a LOT of probiotic. Please review your GAPS Guide book for my recommendations around introducing and increasing any probiotic source -and just one of them at a time- very, very slowly.

Do you know why the practitioner has asked you to avoid meat -even boiled- for two weeks?

My recommendations -including transitioning to GAPS, introducing supplements a ways into the food journey, starting with a tiny amount of probiotic, increasing a probiotic very slowly, etc- are detailed in my book. These recommendations are intended to minimize issues. Starting with zero meat, very high doses of probiotics, an early inclusion of ghee and CLO, etc, are all very different than what I recommend. I recommend a slow, gentle approach. In this case, in which your practitioner recommends a very different approach, hopefully s/he is able to get back to you very soon.

All my best,
Baden

This website is awesome! I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and have tried every alternative treatment I know of. So for me GAPS is really my last hope before immunosuppressive drugs. I am on day 8 of the GAPS diet and am working with a GAPS practictioner that I found on Dr. McBride’s website. The problem is that since I have started I have had watery diarrhea once a day since I started with no regular stools. I am only taking a probiotic in the AM and drinking 2 cups of broth with 1-2 tsp kraut juice three times a day (the practitioner doesn’t want me to have boiled meats for 2 weeks?) I am also drinking some ginger tea with a little raw honey. I also take 1 tps of ghee mixed with one tsp of fermented cod liver oil once a day. My practitioner is out of the country and hasn’t responded to my email so I’m not sure what do to. Do I press on or should I eliminate something like the ghee and/or cod liver oil? I’ve been alternating every night between taking an espom salt bath and an apple cider vinegar bath. Is this diarrhea normal? What do you think I should do?

Thanks Lisa

A few thoughts:

1. Yes, I believe GAPS would be very helpful in your situation. Definitely GAPS is excellent for inflammation!

2. A number of people have come to GAPS with, or after treatment for, h. pylori. These folks may be a good resource for you. Carol, for example, posted Dr Natasha’s thoughts here: http://gapsguide.com/2010/06/10/questions/#comment-3469

3. You might also find the tips here helpful: http://gapsguide.com/2011/05/14/heartburn-reflux/

4. I strongly recommend reading all of GAPS Guide through first, then starting your program on page 28 of the Guide. For best results, I’m a strong advocate of a methodical, gentle approach to long term healing. Of note, a “thirty day plan” is sort of the opposite of “to the letter”. GAPS’ intro is not a specific timeline. It is fluid, flexible, different for everyone -with its path and timeline determined by personal response, need, etc. The GAPS Guide book will set out lots of details for you. It is worth getting information in place and preparing fully. This will greatly increase your chances of success.

All my best,
Baden

Yes, in many people celiac disease resolves with GAPS, and folks are able to eat gluten after the healing is completed.

After the healing period, and when one has been free of any digestive symptoms for at least six months, one would remain largely on GAPS while testing homemade sourdough and, if all is well, move on to test commercial sourdough then a wider variety of foods.

All my best,
Baden