Update, GAPS, etc.

So this might have been coming all along, but I'm glad that it came now when I was more prepared for it. Wow, I realize that might sound like dark foreshadowing, but honestly this is a happy post. I've been feeling a lot better these days with my only remaining symptoms being a foggy brain, occasionally fatigued (but not at all the fatigue I used to have), and maybe a smidgeon of moodiness. I'm on stage 2ish on the diet. I found that several things I had been eating that are legal are off the list for me for a little while: broccoli, green beans, speghetti squash, and artichokes.

I inquired on the server if anyone recognized a pattern to these foods, as I have learned that many foods have different proteins that give people troubles. I will quickly mention the glorious pieces of information came back to me through being a part of the server. One lady, told me to really experiment with brands/types of the food that I'm having trouble with, up to the time of day, etc. She gave me great hope that most legal foods could be incorporated later and encouraged me to systematically identify when the food is okay versus not. Another suggested I may have trouble with fructans (not the same as fructose apparently) which I will have to look up. The last advice I was given is that every three months or so you get a flare, I think because of die off. In this time things that were fine may not be okay for awhile, etc. So this experience is very dynamic and to be aware of that part. It goes along perfectly with one of the hardest Buddhist tenets for me, the tenet of non-permanence. However, since there seemed to be no true answer to my question, I decided to expand my horizons and look further into things.

Another event was the book Nourishing Traditions that a friend let me borrow. It's like crack to me. I love reading it and finding out even more about the nutrition of foods and particulars about types of fats, carbs, and vitamin and minerals. The food sensitivities section is especially interesting. In this section, the author talks about different types of sensitivities outside of just gluten and diary, but those with adrenal issues, thyroid issues, trouble with nightshade plants, so on and so forth. It only is about two paragraphs in length, just a huge tease, but it inspired me to want even more information. I want to understand why the legal foods I'm eating are giving me problems outside of the fact that the diet must be "personalized".

Lastly,  I spoke with my father who is an M.D. about one of my clients that started on this diet. I was trying to figure out why she was having some issues at the beginning of the diet. What he did offer was that yogurt may not be enough probiotics when in this situation.

So I looked on the Weston A. Price Foundation site and found a large article on food sensitivities. It went into the GAPS diet. It looks like it incorporates just a bit more into SCD. I think it's time for something a bit more. More cultured and fermented foods, more specific supplements for my condition, and more scientific knowledge at my finger tips.

Let's face it, a scientific mind needs to understand the science behind things and figure out patterns that arise. But most importantly this scientific mind needs to claim victory over this self-experimentation through intelligent choices. Follow me, if you dare ;)

GAPS diet book