Leslie Embersits from the MINDD foundation and Dr. Nancy O’Hara spoke at NAA NYC yesterday about how healing the gut heals the mind and the body. Research and personal experience led Leslie to create this foundation which focuses on
“pediatric disorders such as Autism, ADHD, Asthma, allergies, chronic illness, learning and language delay, and digestive and behavioural disorders. Research is showing that these children are coming from families with a history of brain-immuno-gut disorders such as allergies, digestive disorders, anxiety and depression.”1
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet, outlined and explained in the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome, by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride is central to the MINDD foundation healing philosophy. Dr. McBride is a russian trained neurogist who has a second degree in nutrition. This hard to find book can be purchased at the Celtic Salt Society. The SCD diet is a nourishing healthy diet minus grains and sugars. I found a great explanation of it on enzymestuff.com:
“The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) specifically selects carbohydrates that require minimal digestion and are quickly absorbed. This leaves virtually nothing for intestinal microbes to feed on. As the microbes die-off, the harmful by-products are reduced. The gut heals and overall digestion improves, and this strengthens the immune system and good health returns.”2 The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is a great thing to try if you don’t see results from the gluten free
casein free diet.
It is impossible to sum up this impressive lecture, but she has an unbelievable comprehensive website you can check out at MINDD.org and Dr. Nancy O’Hara also has a great website.