Layers

Now that we have been following the GAPS protocol for a bit more than five months, I am starting to get some other clues as to other elements that are effecting well-being around here.

Histamines - could these be an issue for L? I notice that when she eats improperly fermented foods (like Bubbies sauerkraut) she will sometimes get a rash wherever the liquid touches her skin/ Rubbing sardines on her arm created a rash that lasted a week (fish are high in histamines). When she had an skin prick allergy test the control spot - histamine - was the one that had the highest reaction. It created a satellite of hives down her back. In short what I have learned about histamines is that they are present in most foods, but some foods are higher than others. I thought this article did a thorough review  but I still need to understand this better and what, if anything, I can do about it while on GAPS.


Oxalates - could these be an issue for N? We notice symptoms of UTI's without an actual infection. Been testing certain foods by taking them out and adding them back in to her diet - like carrots are high in oxalates - and seeing if her complaints change. Here is some info on low-oxalate diet and a post by another person following the GAPS protocol on oxalates.

I think the symptoms people who have issues for histamines and oxalates are interesting to compare!


Candida - Yes, we have it. Confirmed via testing for the girls. No doubt that it is effecting all of us. This will involve dietary changes - less fruit, if any, and no honey. I found this post on GAPS versus the Body Ecology diet to be very interesting. We likely will also use grapefruit seed extract as a treatment to help bring the levels of candida down as we work to regain normal gut flora.

So these are some of the layers we are uncovering around here. In the meantime, we are enjoying soup, upping our probiotic supplement and still enjoying fermented foods. Got some fat in the freezer that I need to render so we can add that to more of our meals. Been busy around here!