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!