Although in Western society the beneficial aspects of bacteria have been increasingly minimized, we actually need bacteria in our digestive tracts for good health. This resource explains, to laymen and physicians, how probiotics support immune function, prevent urogenital infections, and maintain good gastrintestinal health.
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Customer Reviews
“ And one of the most important parts is where the author helps you select a probiotic, since MUCH of what is on the market is worthless, mislabled or DEAD bacteria. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Probiotics are products containing bacteria that are beneficial to health. Digestive problems and allergies are increasing in developed countries and much of the source of these difficulties appears to lie with a poor mixture of bacteria in the intestine. Taking probiotics to remedy the imbalance is a popular approach among the general public, but very little reliable information is available.
Kelly Karpa's book remedies this by providing a readable and scientifically-sound review of current knowledge.
Dr Karpa is both a qualified pharmacist and a concerned parent, and she combines her skills to produce an admirable book. It explains the gut microflora (billions of bacteria that reside in each person's intestine) and also the evidence for probiotics improving a range of disorders.
These disorders include infectious diarrhoea (gastroenteritis, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, Clostridium difficile, traveler's diarrhoea), allergies (rhinitis, asthma, food allergies), urogenital infections (vaginitis, UTIs), and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).
An especially useful chapter is on how to select a good probiotic. There is also information on prebiotics, soluble dietary fibre that boosts numbers of one's existing beneficial bacteria.
The two chapters on the immune system are a bit heavy going for the general reader, but they both have a short summary and the chapters can be skipped without spoiling the rest of the book. Also, there is no index. But the book is well-structured with detailed Contents pages, so the absence of an index should not prove a major difficulty.
Despite these minor weaknesses, the book is invaluable for people with any of the listed chronic conditions as well as for health professionals who work with such patients.
Kelly Karpa's book remedies this by providing a readable and scientifically-sound review of current knowledge.
Dr Karpa is both a qualified pharmacist and a concerned parent, and she combines her skills to produce an admirable book. It explains the gut microflora (billions of bacteria that reside in each person's intestine) and also the evidence for probiotics improving a range of disorders.
These disorders include infectious diarrhoea (gastroenteritis, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, Clostridium difficile, traveler's diarrhoea), allergies (rhinitis, asthma, food allergies), urogenital infections (vaginitis, UTIs), and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).
An especially useful chapter is on how to select a good probiotic. There is also information on prebiotics, soluble dietary fibre that boosts numbers of one's existing beneficial bacteria.
The two chapters on the immune system are a bit heavy going for the general reader, but they both have a short summary and the chapters can be skipped without spoiling the rest of the book. Also, there is no index. But the book is well-structured with detailed Contents pages, so the absence of an index should not prove a major difficulty.
Despite these minor weaknesses, the book is invaluable for people with any of the listed chronic conditions as well as for health professionals who work with such patients.
67 of 67 people found the following review helpful
By Gina Clowes
Format:Paperback
My son was diagnosed with severe reflux, eczema and food allergies. I have spent hundreds of hours trying to research probiotics. ALL of this information is contained right inside this powerful book. I found an absolute wealth of information and leads to help me treat my sons severe allergies. Many of the suggestions in her book have saved us time and money. And one of the most important parts is where the author helps you select a probiotic, since MUCH of what is on the market is worthless, mislabled or DEAD bacteria. People are starting to become aware of the benefits of probiotics (as other countries have known for so many years) but they are throwing their money away on products that do not even contain the strains of bacteria listed on the label or even any live bacteria at all. Although I bought the book with interest in my son's situation, there are so many other conditions discussed and I have lent this book out more times than I can count. It is also very suitable for physicians and I have had one friend use it to discuss her probiotic use during pregnancy (to prevent allergy in her baby) and I just bought another copy to give to our pediatrician (who also recommends certain reputable brands of probiotics to help treat behavioral issues) I would highly recommend this book. It will save you hundreds of hours of research and you will think of many friends and relatives who can benefit from the research it contains.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The information in this book literally saved my mother's life. She was hospitalized and contracted C Diff and no antibiotic helped; in fact, the information in this book will help you understand how antibiotics can be hazardous. If you know anyone who suffers from this heinous infection, buy this book, read and find solace and information that can help cure you. Bless you, Dr.Karpa.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential book for all parents with kids with allergies
My son was tested and diagnosed with food allergies for Wheat, Corn, Soy, Rice, Yeast, Eggs, potatoes, and tomatoes after several months of going to doctors and Seattle Children's... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Kirsten C. Noyes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Probiotic book
Having read many medical papers and health books, though slightly dated, this book has the best description and detailed review of any writing I've seen on probiotics. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Over-Analysis
5.0 out of 5 stars
A comprehensive look
This is an easy book to understand, for such a complex topic, and will convince you of the need to protect the health of your digestive system, which, in my case, had been... Read more
Published 4 months ago by robert jones
2.0 out of 5 stars
Is It Useful?
My 2 star rating is not a criticism of the book, itself, but rather its usefulness to me. I am having trouble getting into it for long enough to find the part (if there is one)... Read more
Published 18 months ago by lookingelsewhere
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
This book is a great book for everyone, but especially mothers-to-be. How bacteria play into our immune system is amazing. I had no idea. Read more
Published on July 2, 2008 by Scott Henry
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 9
books:
See all 9 books this book cites
- Human Physiology and Mechanisms of Disease, 6e (Human Physiology & /Mechanisms of Disease ( Guyton) by Arthur C. Guyton MD on page 6, page 13, and page 21
- Review of Medical Physiology (LANGE Basic Science) by William Ganong on page 19, and page 22
- Review of Medical Physiology by Joan M. Ganong on page 19, and page 22
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Joseph B. Kirsner on page 41
- Nutrition and Health by Arab L. on page 81
See all 9 books this book cites
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