Product Description
An easy-to-follow plan to regain a healthy gastrointestinal system-and relieve problems from gas to bloating to IBS.

Close to 100 million Americans suffer from chronic-and sometimes very serious- gastrointestinal conditions. Prominent gastroenterologist Dr. Wesley Jones has found that virtually all digestive problems have one single underlying cause-constipation. Our modern diets and stressful lifestyles can make poor digestion such a common experience that sometimes people don't even recognize it as a problem. Here, Dr. Jones provides a proven program that has already helped thousands relieve and prevent constipation-related gastrointestinal problems for life.

No one wants to talk about constipation, but millions suffer from it. Take as evidence the ubiquitous ads for Dannon's billion-dollar brand, Activia, which features Jamie Lee Curtis talking about "occasional irregularity." Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, resulting in about two million doctor visits annually. However, most people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from the millions of dollars Americans spend on laxatives each year. Now, this book will offer them a safe, proven, easy-to-follow program to relieve constipation once and for all.

Because it's not just uncomfortable-it's unhealthy! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

I think this book is a "hidden jewel".
While most readers of this book may purchase and read it to resolve a personal health problem, I think another very real value is that it provides a very good description of optimal GI health and functionality.We spend a lot of time reading, learning and practicing habits and ways of living that we are told are beneficial for us.However, we often neglect the overall function of the GI tract.

Optimal health is much more than simply absence of disease.We should heed Dr. Jones' advice for achieving and maintaining GI health as an integral part of our overall healthy lifestyle.

I am concerned for readers' well being.
Having dealt with constipation my whole life, I recently bought this book and read it carefully.When I try a new program, I very intentionally work it thoroughly and according to the author's plan.As far as producing BM's it was so so effective.Sometimes I had to take 2 to 4 TBS of Milk of Magnesia every day.I never could go a day taking none.Having also been a nutritional enthusiast for years, I was concerned about the overwhelming amount of magnesium I was putting in my body but chose to trust Dr. Jones' experience.Eventually, after about 1 month of this, I started getting pains in my feet joints and ankles.This is something I've never experienced before.I walk alot and so am in pretty good physical condition.I was beginning to suspect the magnesium imbalance.Also at the end of the one-month experiment it was time to have my teeth cleaned.Again, I keep my teeth in good shape, but I NEVER had the hygienist work that hard at scraping deposits off of my teeth!When I talked to the dentist about it, he said generally it would be a result of a calcium change in the body.It's my belief that the overload of magnesium caused my poor bones and teeth to deplete themselves in order to keep my electrolytes in balance in the blood stream.I notice by some reviews that people are meeting with success on this plan.I share my experience as a cautionary note to be sensitive to observing all changes in your body, not just BMs.I'm now trying an Ayruvedic diet, but it is challenging to learn and although I have some encouraging results, the jury is still out. The good news is that it won't hurt me. Peace be with you.

Gastrointestinal Health
Constipation is one of life's most pressing problems
In 50 years of medical practice I have never really been able to give my patients advice which in every case would manage their constipation.
Dr. Jones' detailed fiber management program,simply and succinctly described in this book, now provides a management protocol which works. In straight forward language Dr Jones describes how fiber control of constipation will relieve irritable bowel, diarrhea, gas and abdominal pain. The resulting gastrointestinal health will go a long way in ameliorating a whole host of general medical, neurological and behavioral problems.
My wife and I have instituted Dr. Jones' fiber program in our own lives and have cured constipation.
Martin Chipman, MD

This dietary lifestyle will change your life for the better.
When Dr. Jones first introduced me to his "fiber therapy", I was skeptical, thinking that it was unlikely that it could help with so many problems.But, after only a few weeks of taking the fiber and eating more fiber rich foods, my problems with hard stools, bleeding, hemorrhoids, and rectal soreness went away, and, thank God, never have returned.That's been over 6 years now.When I had the first colonoscopy, there were four pollops removed, one rather large.This time, after six years, there were none.I have many friends and relatives that share a similar testimony.I only wish everyone in America could read this book and find out just what this dietary approach can do for them.
Frank VanHaelst

I have to start the program over >:D
I'm going to display the fiber program below, but here was my experience with it. Before reading the review, note that I have used the Sugar-Free Citrucel (in powder form) as well as both the mint and original-flavored Milk of Magnesia produced by Phillips. Alright, here's the thing, I've been blessed by God to have this book offer me some recommendations that have given me some relief with my ailments. I've had gas reduced, abdominal pain reduced, the odor of my stools too were reduced in the bathroom, and there were days where I'd go without taking my Zantac pill for acid reflux. So then why only 3 stars? Because, I might have to start all over and go back to week 1, which I'm frustrated about. First of all, like I had stated before, I had been blessed to have some of my ailments reduced in severity; what was not happening though was that I was not completely passing my stools out, and so like many Americans, my stool was incomplete. I was confident that Citrucel was not going to be effective for me because I had previously used the product as a substitute to the gas-heavy Metamucil. So holding little faith that Citrucel was going to be effective for me, I felt that I should have taken the highest recommended dose, even though I did not. I wanted to follow the program and gradually increase my dosage of the Citrucel fiber product. But aside from not being able to completely pass my stools, I've carried out this program for about 6-7 weeks now and at about the 3-4 week, my stool went from being the shape of a cucumber (which is what it is supposed to look like) to being a stool in liquid form (diarrhea). I drank a bottle of Pepto Bismol (not all at once) down, and it was not as effective as I had hoped. So from the 3-4 week on to the 6-7 week, I'd have regular diarrhea outputs. It was difficult to measure (in my mind) whether or not I was putting out Wes Jones' daily recommendation of stool output because of the diarrhea. Living with constant diarrhea was discouraging because I was fortunate enough not to have it happen that often in my life, but once I was on this program, that changed. After that I went back to Metamucil, where I'm having better bowel habits, but A LOT of gas (which Metamucil is known for due to the psyllium husk content). That is where I am frustratingly at now.

Here is what Step 1 of Wes Jones' fiber therapy program looks like:

Week 1- Start with 1/2 tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Start with 1 Benefiber caplet or 1 Citrucel capsule TWICE daily.
Week 2- Take 3/4 tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 2 Benefiber caplets or 2 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily.
Week 3- Take 1 tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 3 Benefiber caplets or 3 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily.
Week 4- Take 1 slightly rounded tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 4 Benefiber caplets or 4 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily.
Weeks 5 and 6- Take 1 heaping tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 5 Benefiber caplets or 5 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily, and if you are on Citrucel capsules, then during Week 6 you should plan to take 6 capsules TWICE daily.

There are 3 Steps in the fiber therapy program (Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3). Step 1 is the introduction of the program, and if you are successful with it (have absolutely NO gas and NO bathroom odor and you are maintaining the recommended amount of footlong stools, then you are able to move onto Step 2).

I haven't read the entire book, but if you guys want to know more, comment and I'll try to be accommodating. I'll surely update my positive and/or negative experience(s) with this book and the fiber therapy program outlined by Wes Jones as time passes by. ... Read more

Product Description
This Good Health Guide discusses the function of the digestive tract, the importance of diet, situations where constipation may strike, and how to overcome the problem without compromising your health. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good little pamphlet on Constipation
This is a short, simple pamphlet with a lot of
great information and ideas on how to prevent
and "treat" constipation.
I like that it addresses some natural ways of doing
so.

Healthy gut mentains healthy body
This is an important book for everybody to read for his own health, physically as well as mentally. ... Read more

Product Description
Most of us get constipated from time to time, but some of us suffer constipation most of our lives. Yet chronic constipation is an illness that can respond to assessment and treatment like any other. This easily readable book will help those who suffer from the problem both to understand it and improve their quality of life. The book includes helpful illustrations and a list of useful addresses. ... Read more

Product Description
"Constipation, Withholding and Your Child" is a positive, accessible guide to dealing with the common problems of stool withholding, soiling and wetting in young children. It gives insight into the perspectives of both children and parents, enabling a clear understanding of the issue. Using friendly and informal language, the book examines the different causes of toileting problems, including the arrival of siblings and difficulties at school, and provides practical techniques and strategies to help children overcome these problems. It emphasises the importance of diet and offers advice on how to make using the toilet less frightening, the benefits of keeping a stool diary chart, and what laxatives and medications to use in different circumstances. It provides tips on how to tackle inappropriate lavatorial behaviour sensitively and addresses the issues particular to children with special needs. This book is a reassuring, informative and non-patronising guide to help children overcome toileting problems. It is useful for parents and all professionals who work with children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Overblown
Being a man, I like to let my wife handle the "pottie time" but a friend recommended I read it as he just enrolled in a Biology class at our University. I learned that children do indeed have different types of stool. Runny, disolored, hard, etc. Just like adults.
Other than that it was just some psychological analysis of how I am supposed to help my child through the fecal/urinary process.
I always thought it was simple. You sit down, expunge you poop, wipe and flush. If you're feeling constipated eat grass.
Also, peeing is even more simple. Most kids don't drink alcohol at this stage so A) Drinking too much and micterating in the bed is somewhat normal. The wife cleans the sheets and I go to the couch. B) Aim can be off sometimes also.
So if the child is sober ans pees in his f-ing bed he gets two hours under the stairs and again the wife cleans the sheets.
I really don't see why someone would write a BOOK on this. Its self explanatory. Read my post, save some time.

OK, not much I didn't know
We had a specific situation not outlined in this book. Not much info I wasn't able to find elsewhere. Good book if you're just starting to deal with this issue.

Constipation, Withholding and Your Child: A Family guide to Soiling and Wetting
I bought this book for info on withholding. There is a lot of info in the book but not much on that particular subject. The short story of Mr. Poo at the beginning was most helpful. Too bad it wasn't in a small illustrated story for kids.

Such a relief!
Easy to read book, packed with information - really set our minds at ease as to how to deal with our 2-year old's withholding.

The language of the book was a bit off-putting, (occasionally too simplistic) but otherwise an excellent resource.Thank you thank you.

Not Very Helpful
Having a child suffering from encopresis, I was not helped at all by this book.The information seemed outdated. ... Read more

Product Description
Your Guide to Complete Digestive Health

A healthy digestive system is essential for total wellness, and digestive issues that cause discomfort and pain can seriously hamper our enjoyment of life. While there's no quick fix for curing the gut, effective holistic remedies can naturally, gradually alleviate almost every kind of gastrointestinal problem.

In The Healthy Gut Workbook, you'll find a complete plan for restoring your body's delicate balance through gut-friendly meals, simple lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and, if needed, medications and medical procedures. You'll learn which foods to add and remove from your diet to dramatically reduce your symptoms right away, and also discover a variety of strategies for maintaining gut health. No matter what digestive problems you suffer with, the healing solutions in this workbook will help you find relief.

This book includes integrative treatment plans for:
• Heartburn and reflux
• Gastritis and ulcers
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Excessive gas
• Gallstones
• Pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diverticulosis
• Hemorrhoids

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book from national expert
This is a terrific new book on an important topic by one of America's leading integrative physicians. THANK YOU for this resource we can use with our patients and in teaching medical students and residents a more integrative approach.

So practical and full of information
In my clinical practice, "gut" conditions are commonplace and rarely do I find a source, like The Healthy Gut Workbook, that is helpful in clinic as well as an excellent resource for patients. It nicely brings together all aspects of healthy eating, including wisdom from integrative and functional medicine, and up-to-date research and gastrointestinal references, and it provides interactive activities to help us learn about our GI tract and relevant habits. I'm sold; this is "the" resource book for patients' common GI conditions.

Best advice ever!
After suffering for years with repeated episodes of diverticulitis, complete with E.R. visits, high fever and excruciating pain, my doctor advised surgery. I became aware of Dr. Sierpina's holistic approach to healing digestive ailments.After following the advice he gives in this book for diverticulitis, I avoided a repeat occurrence for a year, until travel interrupted the high fiber and supplement regime.By immediately resuming high fiber and his other supplement recommendations, the inflammation quickly resolved and I was able to avoid the antibiotics and pain meds.It is wonderful to know that choices I make can keep me pain-free and healthy!

Dr. Sierpina's holistic, integrative, practical, self-help advice will bring great relief to readers suffering from gut issues ranging from heartburn and reflux to constipation to IBS and Crohn's disease and hemorrhoids, and more besides. I'm giving copies to family members who suffer from digestive health issues, and to our Internist who encourages his patients to practice good self-care.

Healing Our Gut for Wellbeing
Dr. Vic's Sierpina's The Healthy Gut Workbook describes excellent information on cycles of digestion and elimination and the impact and influence of both internal and external events such as stress levels, exercise, sleep, and nutrition on the gut. It is one of the best books addressing gut conditions such as heartburn, ulcers, IBS, constipation and more. In this informative and well-organized book you will find everything you need to create step-by-step lifestyle actions for a healthy gut including preventive and integrative medicine that lead to greater health and wellbeing.

Barbara Dossey, PhD, RN
Director, Holistic Nursing Consultants and Director, Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate Program

Author Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice and Florence Nightingale: Mystic, Visionary, Healer

Healthy Gut Workbook
WOW! What a helpful, concise and down to earth explanation of many gastrointestinal problems and their solutions. Dr. Sierpina did a masterful job of distilling very complex topics into a very user friendly format. I particularly like the helpful charts at the end of each chapter. This is a "MUST READ" for anyone who wants a healthy gut! And don't we all.Julie McKee, MD ... Read more

Product Description
From a clinician with 22 years experience and a fellow of Britainís National Institute of Medical Herbalists, come four new guides to total herbal health. Each volume is a thorough exploration and study of the uses of herbs as preventatives and treatment.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

takes 'you are what you eat' to the next phase
Even as a younger healthy person, I suffered from intermittent constipation in my teens, 20's and 30's. In 1997 I had a career change and studied to be a personal trainer. That bought about an interest in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. That lead to low CHO/low gluten/higher fat&protein eating and a change in exercise routine (suffice to say that I feel the same way about Spinning classes that Konstantin Monastyrsky feels about All Bran). Over the years, my persistent intestinal problems gradually improved...especially when I cut most legumes from my diet. I also lost a few of those last cosmetic pounds that most women find impossible to shed.As of 3 years ago, my internist suggested that I up my magnesium supplementation and take omega-3 fish oil caps. I've not been constipated since (even when I travel). So how did I come to read I Konstantin Monastyrsky's book?

As I said, everything had been moving right along until my second(I'm now 56 years old)colonoscopy this past June. A week after the procedure, I still hadn't 'gone'.After that, I had to use suppositories to get things moving again, but I was still out of sorts (type 1 on the BSF scale) compared to regularitybefore the procedure. Concerned, I typed "constipated 3 weeks after colonoscopy" into Google. Well, I got many hits...all of them from patients on message boards, but absolutely nothing on Medscape, WebMD, etc that either predicted the problem, or suggested remedies for it. Most patients who posted messages said that their MD's said that the post-endoscopy constipation was "no big deal" and prescribed fiber laxitives. Mr. Monastyrsky's web site was the only one that addressed the issue on his "Death by Colonoscopy" page. I went on to read his other articles. It gave me a lot to think about, but also some reasonable remedies.

Knowing something about nutrition, and the need to replace intestinal flora after anti-biotics or stomach viruses, I followed his sensible advice (started taking a good pro-biotic and eating 3 oz of full fat Greek yogurt a day...things are starting to move along again) and decided to order his book:

For me, it is preaching to the converted...by personal experience I am in 99% agreement with Mr. Monastyrsky's theories. The book contains a lot of dense anatomical and physiological terminology that is distilled into an easy to read format...quite well written, particularly by someone for whom English is not a first language. Other reviewers have criticized the author for needless repetition, but I can see the reason behind the re-iteration being cause and effect regarding fiber's impact on multiple diseases, conditions and syndromes.If "The Fiber Menace" had not been self published, a commercial publisher probably would have excluded the most interesting chapters that describe the individual pathologies impacted by fiber consumption and then replaced them with 50 pages of PhotoShopped before and after pictures along with useless recipes to 'bulk up' the book (a metaphor for fiber).
Unlike a couple critical reviewers, I don't begrudge anyone's right to make money from the sale of a worthwhile product. I believe that anyone who puts the kind of time and effort that Mr. M has into researching and writing a worthwhile book and web site should be able to profit from his time and knowledge. If Jamie Lee Curtis can be paid big bucks for hawking the over-processed Activia goop that passes as 'natural' yogurt, than Mr.Monastyrsky can sell pharmaceutical grade supplements (as long as they are as he represents them).

There was one technical matter I take issue with and that appears on page 64 where Mr. M says that the liver converts proteins and fatty acids into glucose. This is a misnomer: Gluconeogenesis does indeed convert protein into glucose, but not cannot convert fat (Lubert Stryer's Biochemistry pg 613). The only element of a fatty acid that can be converted to glucose is the glycerol componant of a triglyceride. His dismissal of ketosis is thus a little misleading because ketones are indeed created when the body runs short of stored or dietary glucose and must break down free fatty acids into small enough carbon units to pass into and energize the brain. (Later in the book, however, Mr. M accurately describes gluconeogenesis as the process by which lean tissue is broken down and converted into glucose.)
But Mr. Monastyrsky's conclusions about the Atkins diet and his elegant explanation of phantom weight loss comports with what I have learned about misconceptions of so-called "ketogenic" type diets . I could write my own book about that as I have spent 12 years attempting to convince clients that ketosis is not the magical metabolic nirvana that Atkins marketing claimed it to be. "Fiber Menace" has given me vocabulary to clarify my explanation in the future.

There are a few other points that may cause confusion: At one point in the book, Mr. M states that hi protein meals should be limited to one a day (again, his reasoning is understandable...that it takes a lot of organ resources to digest protein)...but if one is cutting down on carbs and fiber, and fats accompany animal proteins in their natural state, what else is there to eat beside CHO? I think what the author should have said (but didn't because his stated mission is not a 'diet book' per se), is that when total calories are reduced, so are the stresses on the body's digestive organs...that if one is over eating 50% more calories than are necessary, converting those calories from CHO to protein/fat will be a minor improvement on over stressed organs. But again, his advice of gradual downward titration from CHO to higher levels of Fat and protein is otherwise clear.
I think the author would have better served his average reader by including more specific macronutrient balance guidelines. There is only instance where he gives an indication of how much daily fiber is advisable. There is also some confusion about the difference between soluble (which he says is digest able and may help intestinal flora) and insoluble fiber (which is not) that could have been explained better. I wish he had a more comprehensive list of foods that contain both kinds of fiber than the limited one in the last chapter. But, as Mr. Monastyrsky says at the end of the book, there are many other sources of that information available in book stores or the internet.

Water: I liked his advice about appropriate hydration, although I have been convinced from other reading that minerals in 'mineral water' are in-organic and as such cannot be absorbed. As another reviewer said, the author reaches an exaggerated conclusion about toxic results of over-hydration (although there was a famous case of a woman dying in NYC from drinking gallons of water in a very short period of time and while holding her urine in order to win a computer game contest). I can tell you that about 10 years ago, I was induced to try a 'Super-Hydration' program of drinking a gallon of water a day. After a year, I had little to show for it other than huge quantities of expensive urine. Subsequently I drink only water only when I'm thirsty (no juice or milk) and never during meals and have suffered no effects of de-hydration (constipation or otherwise) since.

This is a worthwhile read. Because of social mores, we tend to ignore the warnings of digestive distress. This is at our peril. A cat owner can tell you that one of the only ways to detect sickness in a feline early enough to do something about it is to observe what they leave in their litter box (perhaps it is true that most important lessons can be learned from your pet).
Reading The Fiber Menace will contribute much valuable information to anyone who is concerned about their own health and that of their loved ones.

god like yet simplistic.IBS-C victim
At the young age of 21 I was struck down by ibs-c.now! I'm 22 years old at the pinnacle of health due to fiber menace.This book is more like a bible.it has kept my life from shambles when the doctors sent me around town to specialists which resulted in more fiber and less hope.On the other side of all this, im glad that I have encountered this problem.I was vegan/vegetarian for 3 years and now I have frowned upon the ignorance I bestowed upon.you will learn that low carbing/fibering is the best thing for you IF DONE CORRECTLY! I was never a big fan of fiber (post diagnosis) seeing as it bloated me with the "daily amount" recommendation.I feel like my entire life has been mislead with a so called healthy conscience.Read this book; it will change your life and mark my words.Follow every step from dietary fat to high grade supplements. I went from years of straining, hard stools and hemmoroids to easy/senseless stools.Now! you tell me while being a vegetarian why should I have digestive problems with the innocent carbs and fiber plan ? Death becomes you if you follow what you have been lured into.I don't let anyone tell me how unhealthy it seems.Read and learn what Konstantin has to say. The logic is accurate and he was a sufferer of IBS and other illnesses as well.There is more than just digestive problems the longevity diet can prevent.Get the book and see for yourself.I could persist to proclaim what I have been taught from this blessing. Lets just say I owe Konstantin more than just this review.

when the doctors told me lifelong.... i found Konstantin's studies and...... he gave me a long life!!

Not just about fibre
This extremely useful book gives the reader a complete understanding of how the human digestive system is supposed to work and debunks many myths both past and present. Whatever issues you may have with digestion, I can guarantee that this book will cover it. Although the focus is on the damaging effects of too much fibre, there is a vast amount of helpful information not only on how to keep one's system running smoothly but also how to recover from any damage already done, even if serious.

This would be an excellent book if it was not for the massive amount of unnecessary repetition which detracts from the well-researched content. Unfortunately this made the book harder to read and at times a little confusing, although obviously the author is motivated by an intense desire to help and inform the reader which is laudable. A more concise volume would be easier to absorb and retain, however, anyone seeking an answer to a specific problem should find what they are looking for.

The fiber theory in this book is TRUE
It seems we barely know what is really good for our bodies. Until dramatic progress in molecular biology are made, we are in the dark and can only experiment. I believe entire walls of concepts will collapseas we gain knowledge.

The fiber myth might well be one of them. As the author says, some population like Inuits live with extremely low levels of fibers, and to my knowledge, they are not reputed to be the most constipated / unhealthy people on the planet.
Anyway, the principles in this book have changed my life and there is not a single day that I don't benefit from what I learned.

My story is a long one so I will try to make it short, although I could write a book about it (and thinking of creating a website).

I have a tendency to constipation. Since I was a kid. Since no medical condition could justify it (I exercise, drink water, got a colonoscopy, feces analysis, blood analysis, rectal examination....) I wastold to increase fibers ingestion by certified doctors here in france.

So I tried to load myself with brans. Did it for years. Retrospectively, I well see it didn't help AT ALL.
Like 10 years ago I bought a new brands of cereals, rich in fibers, with dried fruits. Tasted so good I ate a lot of it. This lead to a fecalom, which is an obstruction of the colon by huge amount of feces. Constipation is NOT a problem of quantity of stool. It's not because you don't produce enough feces that you don't have your bowels movements. So fiber megadosage is totally useless and in my case resulted in accumulation in a fecalome that I had to remove with my finger, millimeter by millimeter, which took 36 hours. This clearly showed me the real DANGER of hard, insoluble fibers, and since this medieval torture day, I totally reduced my voluntary intake of fibers from cereals products.
So now that I had to stop the brans, how would I fight against constipation ?
I started to supplement my diet with cruciferous and fruits. What was the result: endless bloating and alternate of constipation to diarrhea. I spent next years with gut troubles, gas, and diarrhea. This was different from the effects of the bran fibers: cereals fibers didn't created diarrhea and pain, it was another kind of gut trauma. It culminated about two years ago, while on a high fiber diet from vegetables (particularly cruciferous), I would only have 1 or two bowel movements per week, only diarhea. Went to see a doc, got feces analysis, and doc recommended even more fibers from bulk laxative. It didn't help at all. Couldn't make love to my girlfriend anymore because i felt so unconfortable. Life was ruined, I was bloated like a balloon, still, couldn't have a normal bowel movement without diarrhea. Life was ruined.

A desperate search on amazon about constipation got me a listing of a few books, including this one. The title immediately got my attention, since this was the first ever resource that has a negative stance against fibers.
I ordered the book, read it.
After two years following the principles in this book, I can testify that its foundations are correct: fibers are generally not good for human guts and cause more trouble than they solve. It doesn't mean you must totally suppress them, since there are some in all kind of food, but it is criminal to voluntarily increase their consumption to solve problems such as constipation. Fibers can have traumatic effects on the very fragile equilibrium of intestinal flora.

Having suppressed all brans and cruciferous fibers from my diet (I still consume cooked vegetables and moderate fruits), I have virtually eliminated all bloating, diarrhea, and pain in the gut.

This didn't cured my chronic constipation, but this book thought me ways to improve my condition dramatically: to keep my feces hydrated and easy to pass, I cultivate the flora of my guts and I supplement in minerals. I may sometime supplement with macrogol molecule, which is not recommended by author. If ever I got a constipation day, I will do a C flush in the next morning that will put me right back on track with a 100% efficiency. All this I learned from this book.
Do do this, I alternate with products found in this book, but since formula is on products, I see myself purchasing alternative brands: you are really not forced into the products in this book: I certainly don't think this book is only a trick by the author to sell his products: my life was radically, positively altered by what I learned in this book.

So what are the results after a couple of years of applying the principle thought in this book: I can spend entire consecutive WEEKS with a daily normal bowel movement, with a looooong stool. No pain. No diarrhea. I forgot I was able to produce these long normal stools instead of those solid little rocks I could have used to break a window.

I feel so sorry now when I see all these people consume these huge salads of cruciferous andthen complain of bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. I try to tell them that what they it isn't physiologically adapted to their gut but they don't want to listen: they absolutely want to consume their fibers and 2 liters of water.
The world needs to know.

Sounds Reasonable, But Is It True?
A lot of this book talks about the diseases of the alimentary canal and the author's reasoning as to why fiber is a culprit. This can all be skimmed. As far as advice goes, the author suggests that healthy individuals merely cut back on their fiber intake. (The not-so-healthy need a stricter regimen.)

After a month of reduced fiber intake, I see no change in my bowel situation. This isn't all that bad, since after 30 years of All Bran breakfasts and double-vegetable portions, I'm happy as a clam to be eating Cheerios and macaroni-and-cheese again.

Late in the book, the author directs us to his website, where he's selling various health supplements. (An "aha!" moment, to be sure.) Curiously, after harping throughout the book about the important role of potassium in our diets, his highly-touted Hydro-C supplement has just a tiny amount of it -- a minuscule 1% of the daily requirement! This leads me to question almost everything in this book (which directly contradicts what everyone else on Earth is saying: "More fiber! More water!").

If you're overdoing the fiber, I suggest you cut back and see what happens. Overall, be skeptical.

UPDATE: After several months, I'm glad I read this book. I've stuck with my reduced fiber (i.e., normal) diet, and the bowel situation is a bit better than on the high fiber diet. I take Miralax about twice a week to keep things rolling along, so to speak, but this is far better than daily doses of All Bran and broccoli. These days it does seem odd whenever I hear the mantra to stuff my face with tons of indigestible food matter; the author may actually be on to something. ... Read more

Product Description
In Get to Know Your Gut, Joan Sauers and Joanna McMillan-Price take a candid, often hilarious look at the inner workings of our gut, explaining to readers why their stomachs act the way they do and how they can avoid many "uncomfortable" situations. This indispensable book breaks down the bathroom door on previously taboo subjects, from bad breath to flatulence and every other digestive function in between, and offers straight answers to those awkward questions we all want to ask but just don’t have the nerve—such as, Why do I need to go to the bathroom when I get scared? Why do I get constipated when I travel? What color should my poo be? What makes my breath smell bad?—and much more. Illustrated with useful, easy-to-understand diagrams and filled with lists of what to do and what not to do for a wide variety of tummy troubles, Get to Know Your Gut will help readers understand how their gastrointestinal system works and what they can do to help it run more smoothly and work better. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting for what it is
This book is an interesting book that is light on science/medicine to back up what it says. It is a good overview and can be a starting place if you want to know more. It's an easy fast read due to the author's pleasant writing style. ... Read more

Product Description

The only book to deal specifically with constipation for specialists has been updated to include all the new advances since the first edition (1995). These advances include biofeedback, surgery for constipation, sacral nerve stimulation, the use of laparoscopy for rectal prolapse, treament and our understanding of some of the psychological problems of these patients. Innovations also include Professor Norman Williams’ Malone Procedure and the newer pharmacologic treatments such as nitric oxide and botulinum toxin injections.

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Originally published in 1897.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

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Constipation in childhood is often dismissed as a mild and trivial problem. However, for those children who suffer with bowel dysfunction, the pain, shame, and despair associated with incontinence and painful defecation may have ramifications for a lifetime. Surprisingly, many health care providers are not well-informed about how to deal with childhood constipation. Little information is readily available to doctors and nurses confronted with this often perplexing problem. This book presents the scientific background, physiology, and clinical features of children who present with problems of defecation. It also contains a booklet designed to be copied and distributed to parents and children to help them understand this distressing condition. The book is designed to be an easily accessible source of information for practitioners and students of pediatrics, child psychiatry, and gastroenterology, as well as family physicians. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading."Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and printing.This book was created for medical professionals, students, and members of the general public who want to conduct medical research using the most advanced tools available and spending the least amount of time doing so. ... Read more

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Everyone's favorite subject I know. This is an important topic to shed some light on.I will discuss the many ramifications (both short and long term) of not eliminating regularly. I will paint an interesting picture of some of the causes and offer some solutions.All the while, I keep it light and even a little entertaining. ... Read more

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Constipation and incontinence are of considerable importance toa great number of patients but many put it under taboo. Bothfunctionaldisturbances comprise a wide spectrum ofpathophysiological findings ofneuro-muscular changes of the colon orthe pelvic floor, but psychologicalfactors may play an importantrole as well.In recent years much progress has been made inseveral disciplines whichare important for the understanding andhandling of constipation andincontinence. This volume, theproceedings of Falk Symposium No. 95held in Freiburg, Germany,October 28--30, 1996, concentrates onclinically relevant andopen questions rather than trying to cover the whole field in alldetails. ... Read more

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Get permanent relief from digestive problems without expensive tests and medications-in just one month!

Your medicine cabinet is brimming with antacids, gas relievers, and digestive aids of every description. You may have tried lightening up on rich foods or spending money on tests and pricey medication. But your suffering has only gotten worse.

Maybe it's not another pill you need but a good dose of common sense-that and a man with a plan for making you better.

Harvard Medical School's Dr. Norton Greenberger has devoted his career to understanding digestive problems and bringing relief to the people who suffer from them. 4 Weeks to Healthy Digestion clearly explains what causes most common digestive disorders and gives an easy-to-follow, nutrition-based plan for curing what ails you. In just four weeks you'll:

• Beat diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, bloating, gas, dyspepsia, and more
• Identify the food, drink, and drug culprits making you sick
• Learn about how when, where, and how much you eat influences your health
• Eat your way to good digestive health with the delicious recipes included

Customer Reviews (3)

A Great Book that May Help Identify Minor Digestive Problems
I bought this book for my wife and she likes it.

When it comes to medical, I prefer a book that is by a medical doctor as opposed to a book that is merely opinion or self taught. This book being written by a Harvard Doctor was the selling point for me.

However, If one has severe or a long history of symptoms, I would see a doctor before doing what any book says. I am a firm believer in not only good doctors, but in more than one doctor's recommendation when necessary.

Conclusion: This book can be useful in identifying which foods may be causing a minor digestive problem. However, again, no book is a substitute for good medical attention and advice.

Disappointing.
There is really nothing in this book that isn't already widely available for free through other sources. Basically, it's a book for novices, especially those who are ignorant of health and nutrition and eat the typical high fat, high sugar, industrial nonfoods that make up much of the American diet. But long-time sufferers of any of the conditions addressed in this book have probably already done their research and tried multiple strategies, including those suggested here. Save your money.

Well worth the read
I am actually a patient of Dr. Greenberger (I see him for mastocytosis) and I think he is a phenomenal doctor, very easily one of the best I have ever had. This book is enjoyable and easy to read...giving a lot of useful information without being overly dense.
a+ ... Read more

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Intestinal Ills - Chronic Constipation, Indigestion, Autogenetic Poisons, Diarrhea, Piles, Etc. Also Auto-Infection, Auto-Intoxication, Anemia, Emaciation, Etc. Due to Proctitis and Colitis is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Alcinous B. (Alcinous Burton) Jamison is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Alcinous B. (Alcinous Burton) Jamison then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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A complete guide to healing your digestive problems, once and for all—safely, inexpensively, naturally Good digestion is fundamental to good health, and even such common problems as chronic heartburn and gas can have harmful effects on virtually every cell in your body. Quick fixes such as over-the-counter and prescription medications don’t address the real causes of the problems: they only mask symptoms. Nature, on the other hand, offers a variety of gentle, readily available remedies that not only treat underlying digestive problems but also help to promote overall well-being. Learn about natural solutions and how to put them to work for you in Healthy Digestion the Natural Way. Dr. D. Lindsey Berkson clearly and simply explains the normal digestive processes and what can happen to interfere with them. Then, drawing upon her decades of research and clinical experience successfully treating thousands of sufferers of digestive problems—many of whom had exhausted all the standard medical solutions—she provides:

• Easy-to-follow programs for correcting digestive problems without drugs
• Specific treatments for gas, heartburn, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, gallbladder disease, food allergies, and more
• Natural remedies, including diet, exercise, mind-body and breathing techniques, and reflexology
• Guidelines on how to design a naturally healthy diet tailored to your unique physical makeup, problems, and tastes

Customer Reviews (23)

Disappointing
Has some information about stomach problems but impractical advice. The massage and hand techniques are all about touching your feet. The other information is about taking alot of herbs and just putting alot of stuff into your body. I was very disappointed in the book.

Easy to follow and good advice
Book is very easy to understand and follow.Has good suggestions on how to stop having disgestive problems and how to get your digestive system back on track.

Tons of great info. on digestion and health
I'm about half way through this book.
It is filled with lots and lots of information
on digestion and health, in general.
Many great ideas for how to change diet and
lifestyle to create better health, starting
in the gut.

Excellent resource, but questions remain
I thought the angels had answered my prayers when I saw this book at my local pharmacy. It is packed absolutely chock full with great, easy to understand information about digestion, the mind-gut connection, and various digestive diseases. I know "natural medicine" seems crunchy granola and therefore easy to dismiss, but logic (and many well-designed studies) make many of the recommendations in this book hard to refute, and definitely worth trying. As someone who has been to dozens of traditional doctors and has still not found relief for my gut, being given more information and options for treating these distressing problems is a godsend and not to be sneezed at. However, after reading it cover-to-cover, I still have questions.
My main issue: I have symptoms of several of the problems talked about in the book, and unfortunately the treatments for these problems are often contradictory. I really should eat more yogurt and other cultured products for the beneficial flora--unless I have candidiasis or a food allergy. I should eat whole grains for the fiber--unless I'm allergic or have candidiasis. I should drink water right before I go to bed--unless I have reflux. The list goes on and on. I have NO IDEA which of my stomach problems I should tackle first and which things I can try for one problem that won't significantly worsen another problem. I find I'm so confused that I really want to visit the clinic that Ms. Berkson talks about working at, but she gives no contact info in the book and I was unable to find anything online. Barring that, I would have really appreciated some information for how to FIND a clinic like that one, or a doctor who will work with me to find holistic and natural remedies.
Having said that, I still think this book is an excellent resource that is well-written, well-organized, and well worth reading.

Excellent health information
One of the most helpful, informative books I have read. The suggestions really work.Highly recommend as an aid in healing. ... Read more

Product Description

Do you suffer from heartburn? Is an ulcer bothering you? Are the difficult symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome compromising your life? If so, you are not alone. You are that one out of every three Americans that suffers from chronic digestive problems.

Customer Reviews (15)

Why intestinal blocks?
I have contracted four blockages of the small intestine over the past ten years, one requiring surgery.No specialist has been found that can offer a cause or suggestive preventive measures.Very frustrating.Dr. Peikin addresses just about every intestinal disorder except blockages.I was dissapointed.

Awesome book
This book was a great addition to add to my collection of health books. It offered sound wisdom and advice to prevent, avoid, correct and treat varies medical condition cause by gastrointestinal problems.

Not very useful information
I purchased "The Wonder of Probiotics" at the same time as this book. The Wonder of Probiotics contains plain and simple valuable information on how to use probiotics to improve your health. I found this book very boring and not containing useful information on how to incorporate probiotics intoyour life. Don't waste your money.

Great information, interesting read...
I finally understand after reading this how all the organs in my digestive system work.And it's not as gross as you might think.It's interesting to read how different foods and drugs you ingest each affect each organ differently, as well as potentially causing pain to those who are sensitive, or who have different conditions.A must read for those with persistent IBS, heartburn, gas, or other digestive issues.

Great book for GERD sufferers
This book has it all; concise explanations of the etiology of each gastroenterologic problem and simple practical solutions.Generally, the doctor proposes a high fiber, low fat diet but each patient has to tailor their diet to their own specific needs as clearly there are certain foods that are fine for some, an irritant for others.I would note that contrary to one reviewer, I have made a number of the recipes.They are fairly simple, mostly typical ingredients and have been delicious.
The one problem I have with the book is the contradictory advice with respect to some specific food items.For example, if you suspect that your LES valve muscle is the culprit, the recipes in the 2 week plan contain a good deal of ingredients (citrus fruits, cocoa) which may irritate that condition.The doctor has not provided alternatives to substitute for these ingredients.Generally though, I think the implied message is you have got to get to know your body well as you lower the fat and increase the fiber in your diet. ... Read more