GAPS and all things nutrition with Deborah Pym

Deborah has always had a passion for nutrition, Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) and pregnancy preparation. She decided to combine her passions and focus on analysing the foundations of health issues, addressing the cause and returning the body to health.

We spoke to Deborah Pym, nutritionist, certified GAPS Practitioner and Dyslexia specialist, about her insights into GAPS and how her studies prepared her for the best job in the world!

Q. WHAT IS GUT AND PSYCHOLOGY SYNDROME (GAPS)?

GAPS is a condition that establishes a connection between the function of the digestive system, the brain and body. The term was created by Dr Natasha Campbell McBride MD, M Med Sc (Neurology and Nutrition), in 2004 after treating her family and many thousands of children and adults. There has been extensive training of practitioners over the past few years, and so you could expect to find a GAPS practitioner in many parts of the world.

Q. IS GAPS SPECIFIC TO ANY ILLNESS OR DISEASE?

GAPS provides a natural treatment for disorders such as autism, dyslexia, schizophrenia, ADHD, depression and anxiety, as well as physiological disorders stemming from leaky gut, autoimmunity, presence of pathogens and heavy metals.

Q. ARE THERE TREATMENTS FOR GUT AND PSYCHOLOGY SYNDROME?

The treatments are dietary along with a few necessary supplements. The Full GAPS diet, and the more intensive Intro diet are essentially healing diets.

Q. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE GAPS NUTRITIONAL PLAN?

The benefits of the GAPS nutritional diets are basically - the healing and sealing of the gut lining and changing the microbiome from one of toxic pathogens to beneficial flora which will underpin good health.

Q. CAN YOU TAKE SUPPLEMENTS WITH GAPS?

Yes, a few essential ones - a good therapeutic probiotic, essential fatty acids, and cod liver oil.

Q. WHY DID YOU BECOME A GAPS PRACTITIONER?

I was motivated to become a GAPS practitioner during my time specialising in Literacy and Dyslexia. Specifically learning that instruction is important but not enough to change the learning potential of a student.

In my final years at Endeavour I chose to research Dyslexia from a nutritional perspective. Other than probiotics and fish oil, little else had been researched. I stumbled upon GAPS while researching, graduated and fortuitously became a GAPS practitioner the following April.

Five years later I see the imperative need of pre-pregnancy preparation, to ensure that mums-to-be are detoxed and have a beautiful microbiome - one which their newborn will be proud to inherit! I have been working in this field for a while and now I am interested to improve my practice with a Masters in Reproductive Medicine through UNSW, which I am currently undertaking.

Q. COULD YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION? WHAT PARTS OF YOUR STUDY DID YOU LOVE, WHAT DID YOU FIND CHALLENGING, AND WHAT WAS THE MOST HELPFUL TO BRING YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

My education is varied, when I was younger I graduated with a Geography and Social Science degree, I taught for some time and headed towards Literacy and Dyslexia tuition. All the while I dabbled in essential oils, had a lavender farm and then decided I wasn’t finished. Endeavour College of Natural Health pointed me in the right direction. Having 4 children of my own always fostered a passion for working with babies and pregnancy and I am very passionate about working in this area!

Q. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING ABOUT STUDYING WITH ENDEAVOUR COLLEGE?

Realising my first degree was easy! Camaraderie with fellow students, and the knowledge. Also, the flexibility of study that Endeavour offered such as, part time and online options suited my lifestyle.

Q. DID YOU SPEND MUCH TIME IN THE CLINIC? WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN THERE IN PARTICULAR?

I learnt how to manage my time and interact with clients face to face. It was the greatest preparation for the best job in the world!

To find out more about Deborah Pym and the amazing work that she does, head to her Facebook page. Or if you’re interested in attending one of her workshops to find out more about GAPS head to Snyaptic Health or Ultra Health Centre.

A big thank you to Debbie for taking the time out to share her insights into GAPS with us!