I recently had the chance to read a book that really spoke to me, and I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you.
The book is all about common digestive issues and their consequences, and it's written by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a doctor who's also a parent of a child who struggled with these issues in the past.
What I find really impressive about Dr. Campbell-McBride is her unique perspective on the topic. She has a medical degree in medicine, neurology, and human nutrition, which gives her a deep understanding of the subject matter.
“In her clinic in Cambridge, she specializes in nutrition for children and adults with behavioral disorders and learning difficulties, and also in problems related to the digestive and immune systems in adults,”
The book starts with an open letter to parents of children with autism, and then Dr. Campbell-McBride answers the question: what's going on?
This chapter is all about revealing the truth about how all diseases start in the gut. It's a real eye-opener - our immune system, our mental health, it all depends on the health of our gut microbiome.
The second chapter dives into the secrets of healing through specific diets, recipes, and nutrition recommendations.
Dr. Campbell-McBride also shares her insights on why children struggle with growth and weight gain, and how food disorders come about.
The next chapter opens up some really interesting information about food additives, treating children and adults with GAPS syndrome, and the role of probiotics, good and bad fats, and fish oil in all of this.
She also talks about the importance of digestive enzymes and the benefits of cod liver oil.
The third chapter offers Dr. Campbell-McBride's recommendations on various topics, including ear infections, immunity, constipation, genetics, and education.
In the final chapter, Dr. Campbell-McBride explores the causes of GAPS syndrome, from preconception to birth, and offers some valuable insights on how to prevent it.
I think this book is a must-read for anyone who's interested in learning more about how to maintain a healthy gut.
No question about it, getting the right nutrients for a better quality of life is essential for all of us, and the impact of various medications and supplements on our bodies is definitely worth exploring.
"…the harm will be greater when antibiotics are taken orally and when the same amount of antibiotics is taken over a longer period of time, reducing the dose per administration. This prolonged course of treatment is prescribed for acne, chronic cystitis, chronic otitis, and other chronic infections. Medical staff and pharmaceutical industry workers are particularly at risk of chronic exposure to low doses of antibiotics, as evidenced by the widespread prevalence of dysbiosis in their guts. When any antibiotic is prescribed in high doses, a large number of empty niches are left in the gut, which can be quickly filled by any bacteria, viruses, or fungi that get there first. This is a critical period for introducing a large amount of probiotics into the body to ensure that these niches are colonized by beneficial, rather than pathogenic, bacteria. Even with a short course of antibiotics and a low dose, it takes a long time for the beneficial bacteria in the gut to recover after the course is completed."
I have to agree with the author that the media and advertising don't always have our best interests at heart.
They're paid by the companies that produce products and medications to promote their business and make a profit.
It's up to us to be mindful of the right nutrition for our whole family.
I was really interested in learning more about plant-based oils, especially how to choose the right ones and which of the most popular ones can actually harm your health.
I was particularly glad to learn about trans-fats.
"Trans-fats are chemically altered unsaturated fatty acids that were once beneficial to us in their natural state. However, after industrial processing, their chemical structure changes dramatically and they become trans fatty acids. These acids are very similar in structure to their natural counterparts, but their elements are essentially reversed. Due to their similarity to natural analogues, they occupy the place of essential fatty acids in the body, unable to perform their functions. As a result, some cell functions are disabled, and various organs and tissues in the body suffer. For example, trans-fats have the ability to severely suppress the body's immune system, causing damage to various immune system functions. It's been proven that they contribute to conditions such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, neurological, and psychological disorders."
It turns out that these fats have a huge impact on our health.
"... they're so harmful to humans that there's no established safe limit for their intake. Meanwhile, a pack of chips provides around 6 grams, a block of processed cheese or a pack of cheese crackers for kids' snacks around 8 grams of trans-fats. A tablespoon of regular margarine will bring you 4-6 grams, and a serving of fried potatoes cooked in vegetable oil will give you 8-9 grams of trans-fats."
I think the author is spot on when they say that probiotics can cure a multitude of ailments.
I learned a thing or two about choosing probiotics that work for me.
I'm really liking the nutrition plan - I'll be using it for preventative care, not just treatment, thank goodness.
I've got to give a shoutout to the book 'GAPS. SIBO and Psychiatric Disorders' by Natasha Campbell-McBride - it was really eye-opening, and I picked up some super useful info, so I'd definitely recommend it.
Thanks for the likes, comments, and questions - I'll do my best to answer them here or in a PM.
I hope this review will be helpful to you, and you'll consider sharing it with friends who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research about leaky gut!
I'm also excited to share some of the techniques from the books I've recommended that can help with mental health:
how to break free from anxiety and worry about your partner and kids
how our physiology and muscles work
how to manage your emotions and live a life that's free from depression
how to live a life that's free from depression
how to recognize triggers and break free
Learn more about codes of consciousness and how to use them
Stay healthy, that's all I've got to say.