Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Depression, Schizophrenia by Natasha Campbell-Mcbride

Author:Natasha Campbell-Mcbride
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Health, Psychology
ISBN: 9780954852009
Publisher: Medinform Publishing
Published: 2004-09-28T21:00:00+00:00

I O M E G A - 3 i

E P A

fc)CoS«pent«cnoic A c i d ":

FIG. 5 Conversion of parent omega fatty acids (LNA and LA) into various derivatives in the body.

Omega-3 fats

From LNA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) two very important omega-3 fatty acids

are formed: EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic

Acid). EPA and DHA are absolutely vital for normal brain and eye develop-

ment. They are found in abundance in brain cells, nerve synapses, visual

receptors, adrenal and sex glands. However, to make them from LNA the

body needs a good supply of certain nutrients: vitamins C, B3 and B6, mag-

nesium, zinc and some enzymes. GAPS patients are almost routinely defi-

cient in these nutrients, so it is not difficult to predict that their bodies will

not be able to convert parent omega-3 (LNA), from flax oil for example,

into EPA and DHA, so much needed by their brains. Some researchers in

the field believe that this inability to convert the parent omega-3 LNA to

brain-building omega-3 EPA and DFIA in GAPS children and adults plays a

big part in their problems (FIG. 6). So, just supplementing LNA as a flax

seed oil is not enough for these patients, they need EPA and DHA ready-

made. The best sources of these two oils are cold water fish: salmon, sar-

dines, mackerel, trout and eel. The oil from these fish can be found as sup-

plements. Sea and freshwater algae and phytoplankton are very rich in

these oils as well, that is where the cold water fish get their supply of

omega-3 fats. Supplementing algae would have been a good way of getting

these fats, however, the unpleasant taste of algae is a big problem, particu-

larly with children. Smaller amounts of EPA and DHA are found in seal fat,

whale blubber, pike, carp, herring and haddock. Cod liver oil is a good

source of DHA and EPA and one of the oldest ways of supplementing these

essential fats. But apart from that it is a good source of natural vitamins A

and D. Despite concerns about water pollution and quality control in dif-

ferent brands of cod liver oil again and again it has been shown to be most

beneficial for GAPS children and adults. What about just eating fish? Eating

fresh fish a few times a week is the best way of getting EPA and DHA for

healthy individuals. However, for GAPS children and adults that is not

enough due to their inability to digest foods properly and an overload of

toxins, coming from the gut, which reduce amounts of essential fatty acids

in the brain. GAPS people do need supplementing with EPA and DHA in

the form of cod liver oil and other fish oils.

Most fish oils, including cod liver oil, contain roughly equal amounts of

EPA and DHA. However, there is evidence to show that GAPS children and

adults need more EPA than DHA In the body DHA can be made from EPA.

A British psychiatrist Dr Basant Puri has described a patient with severe

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