Have you ever wondered how the No Plant GAPS protocol helps restore the microbiome? How does it happen without consuming plant matter?
The No Plant GAPS protocol, developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, focuses on eliminating plant-based foods to allow the gut to heal and rebalance the microbiome. Here’s how it works:
- Reduces anti-nutrients
Plant foods often contain anti-nutrients like oxalates, phytates, and lectins, which can irritate the gut lining and impair nutrient absorption. By removing these plant compounds, the gut environment becomes less inflamed, creating a more favorable setting for beneficial microbes. - Starves pathogens
Removing plants temporarily eliminates sources of fiber that feed certain bacteria. Fiber feeds both opportunistic and beneficial bacteria indiscriminately. This “reset” allows the overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria, yeast, or fungi to diminish. Sugars and starches in plant foods can also feed harmful microbes. Eliminating plants starves these pathogens, helping to restore microbial balance. - Heals the gut lining
The diet emphasizes nutrient-dense animal products like meat stock, bone marrow, and organ meats, which are rich in bioavailable nutrients. These nutrients, particularly amino acids, collagen, and gelatin, help repair the gut lining. An inflamed gut lining is a perfect environment for pathogenic microbes to take over, so addressing inflammation is key. A healthy gut lining provides a stable habitat for beneficial microbes to thrive. - Improves digestive function
By eliminating fibrous plant foods, the digestive system is given a break from breaking down hard-to-digest components. Improved digestion promotes a healthy microbiome by minimizing undigested food particles that can feed harmful bacteria. - Feeds and diversifies the microbial community
The protocol introduces fermented dairy products, like kefir, which are rich in beneficial microbes and yeast. In later stages, fermented vegetable brines are added, further diversifying the microbial community and promoting gut health.
In summary, the No Plant GAPS diet provides a targeted approach to microbiome health by removing irritants, starving harmful microbes, nourishing the gut with healing, nutrient-dense animal foods, and implementing fermented foods full of diverse microbes. This allows the microbiome to reset and thrive, paving the way for long-term gut health.
Want to learn more about No Plant GAPS and how to safely implement it? Please check out our No Plant GAPS diet online training. The only No Plant GAPS resources created in collaboration with Dr. Natasha Campbell -McBride. It is officially verified and recommended by her.