Digestive Wellness

by Elizabeth Lipski

Book Overview

The go-to guide to digestive health--now updated with groundbreaking research on probiotics, gluten, carbohydrates, and other issues affecting your healthIn the past few years, researchers have made... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071441964
• ISBN13: 9780071441964
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Digestive Wellness, Updated Second Edition

Not only is the list of difficulties caused by poor digestion lengthy, it includes many health problems that people don't immediately associate with their digestive process. Most people know that bad breath, indigestion, hiatal hernias, and Crohn's Disease are related to what happens in the digestive tract. Clinical nutritionist Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.C.N., also includes arthritis, autism, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, and schizophrenia in the list of digestion-related ailments. Lipski cites all the latest research and studies on digestive disorders and therapies in her new book, Digestive Wellness, Updated Second Edition. Digestion begins in the mouth and continues through the stomach and intestines to the colon. Each organ has an important role to play in helping the body break down foods so that their nutrients can be absorbed. Lipski says that "most of us don't think much about digestion unless it isn't working well," adding that "many people with chronic digestive problems continue to eat poorly, never realizing that their food choices are causing their ill health." She starts with an exploration of the causes of digestive illness, which is often related to lifestyle choices. She then describes how a healthy digestive system works, and explains where and how the process can get out of balance. Lipski also includes information on how to pinpoint the source of your particular digestive disorder and provides recommendations and therapies for restoring wellness. She emphasizes that each person has different biochemistry, and that what works for one will not work for another. Although health professionals can order lab tests (and she explains these tests fully), healing usually involves modifying individual eating habits. Accordingly, Lipski devotes one section to self-care strategies, with the intent of exposing readers to "more plans, new ideas, and the tools to be your own health expert." She ends with a resource list of nutrition experts, health professionals, laboratories, and suggested reading. Lipski says that Digestive Wellness "is about taking control of your lifestyle to increase your chances of getting healthier and more vibrant each year." It's an excellent resource for everyone suffering from any kind of digestive disorder and those who care about them.

An amazing book on an odd but important topic

I read this book not because I had digestive problems per se, but because a friend recommended it as one of the most interesting, empathetic, and broadly applicable books on health issues that she'd ever read (!) And I found that I agree. Completely. Digestive Wellness addresses arthritis, food sensitivities, migraine headaches, and skin conditions, explaining how digestive problems--whether or not they manifest themselves as such--can be responsible. A must read for ANYONE with a digestive system and an interest in maximizing his or her health!

Digestion is the Question

For health professionals and lay people alike, this book presents a clear and useful description of the digestive process and its fundamental importance in health. Many of us do not want to know about this vital system, or else we take it for granted. Lipski does a superb job of helping the reader learn, heal and prevent further problems regarding digestion. If you've ever had the common sense notion that poor digestion needs to be fixed before a healthy diet or supplements will do much good, this book is for you. If you've never had such a thought and you get totally bloated after meals, you might want to check it out as well. A thoughtful and easy read!

A must for digestive sufferers

For all of us that suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the answers to wellness lie in this book. After spending 40 years in misery, I have been able to diagnose the problems and correct them through herbs and vitamins prescribed in this book. I recommend it to all GI doctors who have forgotten to tell me what Elizabeth Lipski knows and to all who suffer from a variety of digestive aches and pains.

Well researched & thorough guide

This book begins with a guided tour of the digestive system and emphasizes the importance of a wellness diet and lifestyle in maintaining proper nutrition and health. The bulk of the book is devoted to offering hundreds of nutritional and herbal self-care ideas for digestive illnesses - including ulcers, heartburn, common cankers, Celiac disease, diverticulosis, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (Crohn's disease & ulcerative colitis). I found this to be a well researched and thorough guide to alternative solutions for digestive health problems and wellness.