A great introduction to leaky gut syndrome,  Wednesday, 25 July 2007 This little book (56 pages) is a great introduction to leaky gut syndrome from one of the leading experts on the condition in the natural health field.

Although being so short the book doesn't go into great detail on any one aspect of leaky gut syndrome it does cover all the bases including explaining what the condition is, discussing the various factors that can cause it, giving details of laboratory testing, and describing what can be done to reverse it.

The causes of leaky gut syndrome the book describes include antibiotics, pain medications, chronic stress, Candida overgrowth, and food sensitivities. All the major leaky gut related lab testing is covered including intestinal permeability testing, comprehensive digestive stool analysis (CDSA), and testing for Candida, bacteria and parasites. Suggestions for recovering from the condition include the removal of aggravating substances and other factors such as stress, the use of nutrients that nouroush and repair the damaged intestinal lining, and detoxification methods.

This is a great primer on leaky gut syndrome for those who are new to the subject and want all the important facts without too much unneccesary detail. If you find this book helpful and want to learn more then I would suggest reading Elizabeth Lipski's much more extensive work Digestive Wellness which goes into more detail on leaky gut syndrome and covers many other related aspects of digestive health and how it affects health in general.

 A great help for IBS patients in the kitchen,  Tuesday, 24 July 2007 The focus of this book is squarely on how nutrition and specific foods affect a person with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

It is packed with information regarding what causes the symptoms of IBS and why particular foods, such as dairy foods, cause problems for a large number of patients.

As well as advice for creating a food diary so you can discover your problem foods, this book contains over 60 IBS specific recipes. For anybody with a digestive disorder, finding meals that are both safe to eat AND tasty can be very difficult and frustrating but this book is a great help in this area.

The author goes on to discuss food allergies and intolerances and offers advice on various orthodox and alternatives therapies for the condition. This is just a bonus however as the real substance to this book is in the dietary information and recommendations.

A comprehensive diet book that is sure to benefit anybody suffering from IBS.

 An easy to read and compassionate IBS book,  Tuesday, 24 July 2007 If you have been reading a lot of straight down the line medical type books on irritable bowel syndrome then this title will be a breath of fresh air.

Without omitting important medical information on IBS it avoids boring or confusing the reader with too much technical medical information and instead focuses on what it is like to have the condition and the simple natural approaches that can be taken to deal with it.

The author focuses on dietary advice, including many delicious recipes, and stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, and various relaxation techniques. Their is a compassionate tone throughout the book which is exactly what those suffering from this frustrating condition need.

Obviously this book is one sided in its approach to IBS being purely from a natural medicine perspective, but if you suffer from IBS and have had no help from the standard drug/psychotherapy approach, or you simply prefer not to pursue those options, it could be just what you are looking for.

 Comprehensive guide to orthodox treatment of IBS,  Monday, 23 July 2007 This book is written by a gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, and a psychologist. As such it is marketed as a guide to coping with irritable bowel syndrome by 3 experts in fields associated with the condition.

I think the most accurate description of this book is that it is a comprehensive, well written, and readable guide on the orthodox views of IBS. It covers diagnosis, research findings, and how diet and stress trigger symptoms and affect their severity. As far as it goes, the advice will likely be useful to a lot of IBS sufferers.

The obvious downside to this book is that it looks at the condition purely from an orthodox medical perspective and seems comfortable with the limitations that this narrow view brings. There are many effective solutions for IBS in the field of alternative/complementary medicine from the use of probiotics to the use of IgG food sensitivity testing and appropriate elimination diet. These approaches are also backed by research it should be noted and by a considerable number of patient reports. On a personal note, I have found these methods much more effective than the limited advice I received from a gastroenterologist and a dietician after being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome myself.

The suggestion by the nutritionist in this book that IBS sufferers should load up with insoluble fibre from wheat is sure to confuse many patients and health professionals alike. It is widely known that celiac disease (gluten/wheat allergy) is underdiagnosed and many patients diagnosed with IBS may in fact have this condition. Suggesting patients consume large amounts of gluten containing wheat and other grains is risky at best in this situation in my opinion. Gluten and wheat are known to be irritating to the gut lining even if celiac disease is not present.

In summary I would find it hard to recommend this as the only book an IBS patient should read on the subject. As part of a larger library of IBS titles it may be worth having however as it does present orthodox medical views well. Personally I would suggest readers try a more rounded book first or perhaps buy a book about the alternative/complementary medicine approach to IBS along with this title.

 An important book for those with gut disorders,  Friday, 20 July 2007 This book was recommended to me by many peopl, including an IBS specialist who provided an article for the site.

Dr. Gershon has conducted extensive research into the nervous system of the gut or 'second brain'. Most people don't realize how strong the link between the brain and the gut actually is, what goes on in one intimately affects the other. The gut contains nervous tissues and neurotransmitters otherwise only found in the brain. In fact the majority of the serotonin in the body, the chemical associated with mood and depression, is actually found in the gut.

The first part of this book discusses the latest findings in this very new area of study. You should be warned that it is not an easy read so pick a time when you're feeling clear headed. The second part of the book offers practical advice based on these findings for sufferers of IBS and other functional bowel disorders.

Another area that should be of great interest to anyone visiting this website is the that Gershon recognizes that the link isn't a one way thing and that anything affecting the gut (potentially candida, bacteria, food sensitivities etc) will have an impact on thinking and mood. As I write this the amount of 'second brain' research being carried out is rapidly increasing so hopefully it will yield many more answers.

A challenging book at times but one that is ultimately rewarding for those affected by functional bowel disorders such as IBS.

 An indispensible reference for the newly diagnosed,  Friday, 20 July 2007 Having suffered from irritable bowel syndrome from childhood the author of this book is well qualified to offer advice to those just recently diagnosed.

A diagnosis of IBS can be frustrating as the conventional therapies offered by your doctor are likely to be very limited in both number and effectiveness. If every patient were to be given this book they would probably fair a lot better.

Heather Van Vorous starts of by teaching the reader how the digestive system should work and what goes wrong in IBS. She goes on to discuss a range of dietary modifications and other techniques that can offer relief from symptoms. These other techniques include stress management, the use of nutritional and herbal supplements, gentle exercises, and acupuncture.

As well as educating the reader about their condition and what can be done to help, Van Vorous also offers a wealth of practical tips for making the most of doctors visits, enjoying holidays/vacations to the full, and eating at restaurants or at friends/relatives houses.

Some commentators have argued over specific dietary recommendations that the author makes but by and large the advice is very accurate and reasonable an perhaps some people forget that this is advice for "the first year", not forever.

A recently diagnosed IBS patient cannot go far wrong picking up a copy of this book.

 Comprehensive guide to all aspects of the Gulf War,  Friday, 20 July 2007 This is the book that was handed out to every member of the American congress.

It provides a well researched, impartial view of the events of the Gulf War, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions.

Included is the testimony of both Gulf War vets and their families, describing what in their opinion went on, during and after the war. Content is also very good on the medical side with compelling evidence presented linking veterans illnesses with chemicals and chemical sensitivities. There is also enough here to warrant a reading by sufferers of CFS, fibromyalgia and similar disorders whose symptoms include chemical sensitivities.

One of the best books available if you are looking for a comprehensive view of the events of the Gulf War, not just a medical investigation.

 Comprehensive investigation of Gulf War Syndrome,  Friday, 20 July 2007 If you want a thorough review of the current medical thinking regarding Gulf War Syndrome as well as absorbing personal accounts of the war itself and what followed for many thousands of veterans, here is a good place to start.

Jeff Wheelwright, himself a reporter sent to the Gulf, covers the politics and the media's part in the war as well as reviewing possible factors present in the environment that have been suggested as a cause for veterans illnesses. He describes in detail how Gulf War Syndrome came to be linked intimately with CFS, MCS and Fibromyalgia and argues that a new view of biology and health are needed before any of these conditions can be adequately explained. With this in mind there is discussion of the emerging branch of medicine known as psychoneuroimmunology.

The author investigates all leads with regards to what may have caused veteran's illnesses but he does remain skeptical that chemical exposures and other environmental factors might have triggered Gulf War syndrome.

In conclusion, this is a compassionate exploration of how many veterans were affected by the war and left with unexplained health problems collectively known as Gulf War syndrome.

 Simple tips for better quality of life,  Friday, 20 July 2007 The author of this title has been a fibromyalgia sufferer since childhood. This book is focused on providing the fibromyalgia patient with simple tips that could make the world of difference in dealing with those every day tasks that now seem so difficult and overwhelming.

Chapters are devoted to coping with household chores, work, traveling and how to live with fibromyalgia AND have happy relationships with a partner, friends and family.

Also included are tips for improving quality of sleep and information regarding diet and supplementation that may help improve your condition.

This book could be the lifeline that is needed by those who are struggling with day to day living and need simple tips rather than being baffled by medical and scientific terms.

 Great for alternative therapy information,  Friday, 20 July 2007 Being written by a rheumatologist and a writer specializing in health and relationships makes this a well balanced book.

The latest fibromyalgia research is presented along with the latest treatment information. The treatments covered range from COX-2 inhibitor drugs which stop inflammation without the serious side-effects of steroids to nutritional supplements such as 5-HTP and SAMe which may help sleep and mood.

Specially developed exercises aimed at reducing deep muscle pain, increasing strength and energy, and alleviating stress and anxiety are described in detail.

The book manages to cover a huge range of treatments from both conventional and alternative medicine points of view that may resolve symptoms and help improve fibromyalgia patients quality of life. The complementary/alternative therapies information is extensive and covers homeopathy, chiropractic, guaifenesin, and ayurveda, amongst others. The chapter on improving sleep is particularly helpful and this has been commented on in many reviews by fibromyalgia sufferers.

Not as in depth in terms of research and medical information as some other titles but a good easy to read guide none the less.