John B. Symes, a veterinarian who calls himself "Dogtor J," created the GARD diet after discovering he suffered from celiac disease in 2000, at age 47. The diet is intended for people -- and dogs -- who suffer from celiac disease, which is the inability to digest gluten. The GARD diet also is intended to help people with other gastrointestinal problems.
Glutamic and Aspartic Acid
Intended to treat most gastrointestinal conditions in people and dogs, the GARD diet -- which stands for glutamate and aspartate restricted diet -- is based on the elimination of glutamic and aspartic acid, non-essential amino acids in MSG and aspartame. Glutamic and aspartic acid are found in grains, dairy, soy, legumes, nuts and seeds. These non-essential amino acids may cause epilepsy, migraines, insomnia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, fibromyalgia and numerous other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as other health complications, according to Symes. While many of Symes' claims are unproven, the Centers for Disease Control has found some evidence that aspartic acid may cause some health complications.
Evidence
The CDC found that 346 -- or 67 percent -- of people who reported a negative reaction to aspartame, a product of aspartic acid, reported neurological or behavioral symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and mood alterations. There were 124 subjects who reported experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms and 76 who reported allergic or dermatological symptoms.
However, many subjects reported symptoms from more than one category. Despite complaints, the CDC found there was not enough evidence that there is not serious, widespread, adverse health consequences from ingesting aspartame.
The Big 4
The elimination of what Symes calls "the big 4," which are gluten, casein, soy and corn, is essential to the diet. These foods, he says, are the leading causes of damage to the intestinal lining in sensitized individuals, and can cause severe nutrient malabsorption. By eliminating these foods, the GARD diet may be able to help you better absorb vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, iodine, B complex, C, zinc, selenium and magnesium. Though Symes does not provide evidence for some of these claims, the MayoClinic.com states that people who cannot digest gluten often suffer from malabsorption, as well as damage to the intestinal lining.
Foods to Avoid
Grains such as wheat, barley and oats have the highest amount of glutamate and aspartate, and should be avoided completely, as should dairy products, beans, seeds and many types of nuts, according to Symes. Diet drinks or anything with Nutrasweet are also to be avoided, as are prepared foods or anything containing MSG.
Foods Allowed
When you initially start the diet, your food choices are fairly limited. To start out, you can eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes and limited quantities of rice. As time goes on and you feel better, you can begin to add gluten-free grain substitutes, such as millet, flax, tapioca and quinoa, as well as nuts, seeds and legumes.
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