I have checked out this very comprehensive
blog on "feeding versus
cleansing" by Dr Natasha, and it is interesting to learn that animal foods such as
fresh good quality meat, fish, eggs and dairy are largely
feeding/building, while plant foods such as beans, fruit, vegetables,
nuts and seeds are largely cleansing/detoxifying. I find it useful to
know that vegan diets are ideal only for temporary cleansing, and
cooking plants help make them more digestible, and animal foods are
needed for buiilding our body with the necessary fat and protein. I also
find it interesting to note that our body goes through cycles of
building itself up and cleansing itself, and "desire for a particular
food is the main way your body tells you what it needs at any particular
moment nutritionally".
Yes, come to think of it, there were times I do have a desire
to eat certain foods during lunchtime, and even though I usually eat
mainly vegetables and occasionally egg for lunch, I sometimes felt like
eating some meat as well. This is especially so when I feel a bit
hungirer than usual and I would be thinking maybe I should eat something
more filling, such as some meat. I also noted from the article that
everyone is unique, and what may suit another person may not suit me and
vice versa. All in all, it is a very informative blog.
"Fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue syndrome and ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) are the
most difficult conditions to treat. The detoxification system in these
people is in complete collapse.
The
toxins... impair the function of mitochondria in the cells.
Mitochondria are our energy factories in the body. As they are disabled
the person suffers from severe fatigue, which is the main symptom of
these three
conditions. The detox system needs energy to function, so the person is
trapped in a vicious cycle of not being able to produce energy or
detoxify.
As the detoxification system is disabled, any amount of die-off is
poorly tolerated, as die-off increases toxicity in the body, and... That
is why people with these problems have to go so slowly with increasing
probiotics or fermented foods....
Try to modify your GAPS diet according to your personal needs: move
through the stages faster or add foods which you feel will be good for
you earlier, while avoiding those that are difficult for you to handle
at the moment.
My heart goes out to people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome
and ME; you have a real challenge with your health, one of the most
difficult ones....
The important thing for you is to never give
up and trust your body: your body knows what it needs at any moment. You
need to develop a real connection with your body, to learn to listen to
it and have a deep love and respect for it. Because it is your body
that is doing the healing, not the diet or supplements or anything
else....
Your recovery process is a partnership between you and your body.
So, don’t try to impose anything on your body without asking it first if
it agrees with that.... Your mind is affected by many different things
and can deceive you, while your body is always right.
We have lost touch with our nature and it takes time to learn to
listen to our bodies and our souls. But as you learn, you will become
more and more successful, and not only at your physical recovery, but
many other aspects of life." - Dr Natasha Campbell McBride
It is encouraging to read this above quote by Dr Natasha Campbell McBride,
in knowing that we can become more and more successful at our recovery
from the physical symptoms of accumulated toxins in the body, such as
chronic fatigue syndrome, by learning to listen to our body and our
soul, especially with regard to the kinds of food we eat, according to
our personal needs. I googled about this just now and came across a
couple of articles below in which the writers shared how the GAPS diet has
helped them in their healing journey.
"Gaps diet cured my chronic fatigue. I still have some minor issues that are healing."
