Friday, January 18, 2013

What is the GARD Diet?

In case you stumbled on this blog looking for a particular recipe, or a friend sent you here (thank you, friends!) here's some excellent information on the GARD diet, including what it is exactly and why it was created and how it works to help you heal your own body. Originally developed for dogs and pets suffering from seizures, Dr. J, who suffered (past tense!) from Celiac disease, has spent 10 years doing extensive medical research and shares a wealth of information that will leave your head spinning.

I should probably explain the difference between gluten-free and grain-free: 

Grains, corn, dairy, legumes and soy (also a legume), and processed sugars all release a ton of glutamic acid, which our body already makes all by itself, causing an imbalance. Eventually, for some of us, we can't get rid of the excess glutamic acid. Our digestive tract is destroyed. Some people "only" have problems with digestion (IBS, gas, bloating, leaky gut, etc.), others have Celiac's,  an auto immune disease which raises probabilities of cancer, causes joint problems, neurological problems, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, and on and on. It is basically a disease of malabsorption. 

These excito-toxins affect our neurological system, causing headaches, insomnia, migraines, ADHD, Alzheimers, and grand mal and petit mal seizures. 
The whole body suffers when the gut is destroyed. 

That means avoiding gluten products, such as wheat, is not enough. Grains like rice, and legumes like soy are still causing the same damage. This quite possibly why many people with Celiac and wheat intolerances are not getting well.


The GARD diet is not permanent; by following it long enough, your body heals itself and you can slowly add foods back in, in moderation. Be prepared for lots of reading, explanations and details on Dogtor J's website:

The GARD Diet

Some people eat brown rice on the GARD diet, probably because the idea of giving up all grains is a little overwhelming at first. But, if you overcook it even the slightest, it releases a flood of free glutamates! You can also find more information on naturally occurring glutamates and free glutamates in food, as well as those in medications that we take to help our symptoms, here:

MSG Myth

Here is a video by Dr. Blaylock about excitotoxins, what they are, what foods they are in, and how the whole process occurs in our body, from the first bite of a particular food to how it affects our digestive system and eventually our brain.

If you or a loved one suffers from epilepsy, autism, ALS, chronic headache, migraine, fibromyalgia, in fact many neurological disorders OR digestive disorders such as heartburn, IBS and Celiac disease, it's worth watching. After all, knowledge is power, right? Find a comfy spot on the sofa, and skip the popcorn!


6 comments:

  1. Here's my answer from Dogtor J about wine and raisins:
    The GARD - The Glutamate & Aspartate Restricted Diet
    Hi Kyrah. The problem with wine and raisins are their fluoride content, with grapes being one of the two plants in nature that concentrate fluoride (tea plants being the other). Using wine for cooking and eating raisins in moderation shouldn't be a problem but drinking wine regularly and eating lots of raisins as snacks on regular basis is probably not the best idea for those suffering from neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy, MS, Alzheimer's, memory loss, etc.)

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  2. Here is a new updated video for Dr. Blaylock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTSvlGniHok

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  3. I'm sorry if you've received this post already but I'm new to this site and to the GARD diet. So relieved to find your blog - can't find anyone of this experience in the UK. I'm not the most confident cook and I'm going to have a go at some of your recipes. But was a bit confused by the use of Dijon Mustard and Apple Cider Vinegar. All the dijon Mustards I can find here have Citric Acid and preservatives - sodium metasulphite. Is there a way to make your own - or how can I substitute this? Also I thought that Vinegar was one of the substances that contains enough processed free glutamic acid to cause reactions? Could you clarify? Also do you do consults by the way. I would love to get some help to put a diet plan together. Needs to be low GI as well as GARD…. feels overwhelming. Many thanks for the blog - it's a great relief to have found it.

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    1. Hi Rachel!

      I just wrote a really, really long reply and hit the wrong button, apparently, because "Publish" turned into "Erase everything you spent the last 20 minutes working on." I don't have time to re-type it all this weekend but will be sure to get back to you on your questions in the next few days. :-)

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  4. Are Chia Seeds, or any seeds allowed on this diet. Also wondering about using Quinoa as a protein source in Green juices for breakfast - is quinoa a glutamate friendly food?

    And my other question is whether a good source of bacon is allowed if it's preservative free or does the process of curing meat produce to much glutamic acid?

    Would be interested to know what others have for breakfast too - have been used to protein rich breakfasts, bacon, sausage, and struggling to work out how to replace. I don't tolerate egg yolk well unfortunately.

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    1. There is a Facebook page, where you can ask Dogtor J directly ;-)

      Go into Facebook and do a search for: The GARD - The Glutamate & Aspartate Restricted Diet

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