Fiber Menace and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more



or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
Sell Us Your Item
For a $2.00 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading Fiber Menace on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Fiber Menace: The Truth About the Leading Role of Fiber in Diet Failure, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Colon Cancer [Paperback]

Konstantin Monastyrsky
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)

List Price: $19.95
Price: $17.96 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $1.99 (10%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it tomorrow, May 21? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.95  
Paperback $17.96  
Image
Save on Popular Books This Summer
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more.

Book Description

October 15, 2005
Fiber Menace is for people who believe fiber prevents cancers, reduces the risk of heart disease, regulates blood sugar, wards off diabetes, lowers appetite, induces weight loss, cleanses the colon, and eliminates constipation.

Tragically, none of it is true, and Fiber Menace explains why it’s the complete opposite. Most of those findings have been well known and widely publicized even before Fiber Menace’s release. Here are some of the most striking examples:

— Fiber doesn’t ward off colon cancer, according to the Harvard School of Public Health: “For years, Americans have been told to consume a high-fiber diet to lower the risk of colon cancer […] Larger and better-designed studies have failed to show a link between fiber and colon cancer.” Scores of other studies, cited in Fiber Menace, have demonstrated that fiber increases the risk of colon cancer. (p. 181)

— Fiber doesn’t prevent breast cancer either, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, it’s the complete opposite: “Carbohydrate intake was positively associated with breast cancer risk.” Fiber happens to be a carbohydrate too, and carbohydrates are the only food that contains fiber. (p. 183)

— Fiber doesn’t reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association: “A fiber supplement added to a diet otherwise high in saturated fat and cholesterol provides dubious cardiovascular advantage.” Furthermore, these supplements caused “reduced mineral absorption and a myriad of gastrointestinal disturbances” — factors that in fact, contribute to heart disease. (p. 41)

— Fiber doesn’t counteract diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health: “Fiber intake has also been linked with the metabolic syndrome, a constellation of factors that increases the chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.” Truth is, fiber requires more insulin or drugs to control blood sugar, and makes diabetes even more devastating. (p. 220)

— Fiber doesn’t curb appetite, according to the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University: “…fiber supplements did not alter hunger, satiety or body weight in a pilot study of men and women consuming self-selected diets.” In fact, fiber stimulates appetite, extends digestion, expands stomach capacity, and makes you hungrier the next time around. (p. 60-76, or here.)

— Fiber doesn’t keeps “colon clean” by speeding elimination, according to the highly respected and authoritative Rome II: The Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders textbook: “There is little or no relationship between dietary fiber and whole gut transit time.” In fact, fiber delays transit time more than does any other food ingredient, and is the primary cause of chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. (p. 21,23, 29, 103)

— Fiber doesn’t relieve chronic constipation, according to the American College of Gastroenterology Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Task Force: all legitimate clinical trials demonstrated no “improvement in stool frequency or consistency when compared with placebo.” How could it, if it caused it in the first place? (p. 105, 115)

But that's only a small part of fiber’s menacing role in human nutrition. It also has it’s imprint in practically all digestive disorders. In that context, learning from Fiber Menace diet may end up becoming one of the most transformational experiences of your life.
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Frequently Bought Together

Fiber Menace: The Truth About the Leading Role of Fiber in Diet Failure, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Colon Cancer + Life Without Bread: How a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Can Save Your Life + Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health
Price for all three: $44.94

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

Review

My training as a physician included many hours of nutrition, but fiber was only mentioned in regards to the effects of a deficiency. Never once did any of my professors consider the possibility that too much of what has always been considered a good thing' could have such harmful or far-reaching consequences. The author's detailed description of the trauma imposed to the gastrointestinal mucosa by the expanding fiber is a vivid reminder that returning to the basics of GI function and logically thinking through what our bodies actually are designed to do with the food we eat, should be the first step on anyone's journey to recovery from digestive disorders. Thanks to the insights in this book I have slowly begun to change my approach to common patient symptoms, which I traditionally would have treated by suggesting increased fiber and more water to correct! So far the results are promising. Dr. John Turner, DC, CCSP, DIBCN --Wise Traditions Newsletter by Weston A. Price foundation

Product Details

  • Paperback: 296 pages
  • Publisher: Ageless Press; 1st edition (October 15, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0970679645
  • ISBN-13: 978-0970679642
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mr. Monastyrsky graduated from medical university in 1977 with a pharmacy degree. Shortly thereafter his family emigrated to the United States from the Ukraine (the former Soviet Union), where he decided to pursue a career in the high-technology field, and taught himself advanced programming languages.

From 1985 to 1990, he worked at two premier Wall Street firms: at First Boston/Credit Suisse as a senior systems analyst and at Goldman-Sachs & Co. as a technology consultant to Dr. Fischer Black, the co-author of the Nobel Prize-winning Black-Scholes theory of options trading.

In May of 1990, Mr. Monastyrsky was invited to participate along with Mr. Bill Gates in the filmed introduction of Microsoft Windows 3.0, which forever revolutionized personal computing. He was the only programmer in the United States to earn this honor because of his substantial contribution to the development of graphical user interface and Windows programming techniques.

Between 1990 and 1998, he was the president of Okna Corporation, a software development company. In 1996, Mr. Monastyrsky began to suffer from diabetes and a host of related ailments, including the debilitating carpal tunnel syndrome. Unable to use the keyboard, he turned his attention back to medicine to find solutions for his rapidly deteriorating health.

He applied the same analytical rigor to the study of his health condition as he had to technology, and within several years had completely recovered from diabetes. In 1998, free from the ravages of carpal tunnel syndrome, he left the technology field to pursue a career in nutritional research, medical writing, performance and longevity counseling, and health advocacy.

Through his extensive investigations and research, Mr. Monastyrsky pioneered the fields of forensic nutrition and nutritional intervention--both terms that he coined. His unorthodox thinking, penetrating analysis, and extensive and accessible writings are ushering in a new era and approach to nutrition and healthcare in the United States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
257 of 286 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had to order this book via Amazon USA because it is not available in Europe. His basic recommendations, not do eat too much fiber and not to overdose water intake, seem to make sense. His hints how to fight obstipation caused by low-carb/low-fiber-diets are also as reasonable as the recommendation to make the transition vom a high-fiber/carb-diet to a low-fiber/carb one slowly to prevent negative side effects of the carbohydrate withdrawal.

But there are also some serious flaws. First is his completely wrong reception of the cause of Atkins' death. As we know, Atkins died from an accident with severe damage of his skull and brain. At the time of this accident he was not obese at all and did not suffer from heart disease. But Monastyrsky states Atkins died from a cardiac arrest, "unquestionably from obesity-related complications [...] and he died morbidly obese". Monastyrsky also seems not to have really understood the principles behind ketosis. I certainly do NOT endorse the Atkins-Diet nor his very problemable "induction phase", but I really dislike lay-journalists/writers who investigate inaccurately or do not fully understand what they are writing about.

Secondly Mr. Monastyrskys calculations about the daily need of carbohydrates (200 g/day is way to high) and the maximum intake of carbohydrates, fats and proteins to allow fat loss are quite weird. He claims that only with NO carbohydrate and max. 1 gram of fats and proteins per kg bodyweight, weightloss would be possible. Following this idea, a person of 75 kg would be allowed to have NO carbohydrates, 75 g fats and 75 g protein per day. This sums up to 975 calories - a very very low energy diet that virtually forces the body to engage all its energy-saving capabilities and will be the best basis for rapid regain of weight after stopping this very questionable approach. "Hello jo-jo". Weight- and fat-loss occurs as a matter of course with every longer lasting reduction of energy-intake below the requirements of the body. There is no scientific proof for Mr. Monastyrskys ideas concerning the required mix of macronutrients at all.

Thirdly Mr. Monastyrksy misinterpretes the term of "waterintoxication" he cites from the Schmidt/Thews-Textbook of physiology. Schmidt/Thews say that taking LARGER AMOUNTS of hypotonic solutions WITHIN A SHORT TIME into the body may cause waterintoxication. This is a wellknown fact inside the medical world, but it is crucial to see the term WITHIN A SHORT TIME, Monastyrsky seems to peculate in his further interpretation. The official recommendation of "8 glasses of water a day" may be questionable, but does of course NOT lead to "water-intoxication" when taken - as supposed - throughout the day. Only taking big amounts of hypotonic fluid all of a sudden may cause problems in the stated way, but nobody recommends this.

Fourthly Mr. Monastyrsky is very eager to promote the selling of his quite expensive food-additives through his website he cites over and over again throughout his book. This is very annoying.

Summary: Mr. Monastyrskys ideas seem to make some sense specially for people who experience problems from consuming too much fiber. But there is no adequate scientific evidence for his allegations. Readers who want to follow his suggestions therefore should be careful not to be drawn into esoteric spheres where they might lose their sense for reality. Monastyrsky might also have considered to publish his thinkings in an article in a medical or journal of nutrition (but that would have arisen the 'danger' of an external quality-control). His basic ideas would fit comfortably in a relatively short article and it does not seem to be necessary to spread it redundantly over more than 280 pages.
Was this review helpful to you?
55 of 58 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Fiber Menace Refuted The Conventional Wisdom March 24, 2007
Format:Paperback
This book contradicted the "conventional wisdom" about fiber and water-intake that I had been living under for more than 20 years. The science was laid out in terms that an educated layman could easily grasp, and the refutation of "conventional wisdom" was set forth in a way that was logically inescapable.

I am a hard guy to persuade, but I took the findings of Mr. Monastyrky to heart, and changed my fiber and water intake as he recommended, and within a day or two, my body was functioning better than it had in 20 years.

It was like trying to run a race with lead shoes, and discoverying again what it was like to run, when you got rid of them.

Mr. Monastyrsky's recommendations and reasons will in time replace the misinformation and misdiagnosis about fiber and its supposed benefits that have caused us so much grief. Readers of this book will congratulate themselves that they were years ahead of the curve.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
51 of 54 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking out of the box - This book is priceless... December 10, 2007
Format:Paperback
I would love to tell you how this book has helped me with my daughter. She is 20 years old and has severe cerebral palsy, full care, and in a wheel chair. Among many other problems that occur as a result of this condition she has always had severe bowel problems and constipation. I have been to the hospital, probably, atleast 20 times over the years for being in alot of pain, pain with fevers, pain and fever with seizures, constipation, impaction, & coming away not knowing much. That didn't count all the times I didn't take her to the hospital. The doctors didn't know what to do except give her tranquilizedrs, enemas, suppositories, medicines galore, and no hope because it is all blamed on CP. In July 2007, I spent nine hours in the emergency room with her screaming in pain. Fevers, excruciating pain, constipation, tons of mucus, malabsorption, undigested food, toxic bowel, you name it she had it. She had tons of testing, drugs for tranquilizing, stuff to drink for the C/T scan, anti-nausea drugs, ibuprofen, enema, and more. The upshot was that she was impacted and they suggested 4 doses of Miralax, 5 days of 10mg. of Ducolax, and the big question: Would I consider a colonectomy? I went home and basically cried again. She shouldn't be suffering like this just because she has cerebral palsy.

This summer I fortunately and coincidentally received a new russian speaking aide for my daughter and she was reading one of Mr. Monastyrsky's books in Russian. I was interested, but, didn't quite understand what she was trying to tell me. All I knew was that it was so different from all of the things I have been reading and trying. I looked up the name and found that he just published it in English and I bought it. At the time I was trying enzymes & probiotics again along with a new nutritionist who helped me get her away from fruit juice and drinking water by adding stevia and a little organic black cherry or blueberry fruit juice to color it. Once again we got into trouble with all the symptoms I told you about. After reading the book and using one round of the suggested protocol of L-Glutamine, Ascorbic acid powder and the excellent probiotics, I stopped all grains and legumes which consisted of oatmeal, brown rice, lentils, black eyed peas etc. (I already was not giving her wheat). Now, it has been four months and I only give her one dose of Miralax only because I am afraid to stop but I will try ending even that now. What has happened was TRULY A MIRACLE. SHE IS BASICALLY FREE FROM ALL THE HORRIBLE SYMPTOMS except for very occasional constipation which is not a nightmare anymore. SHE IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS. She is alert, happy, and so improved that I see her finally gaining strength and weight and who knows what she can accomplish. I could go on and on. It is so hard for people to make changes when you always hear the opposite of the answer, ie: Fiber, Fiber, Fiber...My suggestion would be to read this book and think out of the box. That last herendous nine hour hospital visit costed my insurance company something like $7000.00. This initial FIBER MENACE remedy for my daughter was the cost of the book and the recommended protocol the author suggested, maybe $120.00.
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and helpful
Really interesting treatment on how (supplemental) fiber (the only substance that expands to four times its volume in the digestive tract) is actually a self perpetuating problem... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Sarah F. Hodges
5.0 out of 5 stars Saved My Life - Please Read This
I saw the general practitioner, nutritionist, GI doctor, tried alt med, etc. Nothing worked. And I was a person already eating a "perfect" diet my entire life, exercising, and so... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Alexander F. Heyne
5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK
I am very happy with the results from the recommendations in this book.I have tried numerous diet plans that did not work for me - (raw organic foods, juices, blood type specific... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Linda Krouse
5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book
It can be at times repetitive but this book really points out the obvious (or not so obvious). The information available in this book makes sense to me even though we were thought... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jojosmaid
5.0 out of 5 stars CHANGED MY LIFE
So I had an epiphany....if my intestinal tract wasn't working right...adding more fiber...drinking more water...wasn't going to help. I found out it actually made things worse. Read more
Published 2 months ago by KCAV
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding understanding of the human digestive system
I've followed almost every diet from vegan to vegetarian to 811 to raw carnivore to paleo to Wapf to Atkins, blood type diet Dr. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Al Lucero
5.0 out of 5 stars A real life changer for me
I have been eating loads of fiber in my diet because its supposed to be good for you no? I started experiencing more frequent bouts of constipation. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Neels
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative
I would recommend this product to anyone that has intestinal problems. I learned a great deal from reading it. It has helped me become healthier.
Published 3 months ago by Debra Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars IBS-D Relief
I found a postive review of Fibre Menace of a site I think very highly of: The Weston A Price Foundation. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Oremland
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, something that helped me
I am a 55 year old male who had put off having a colonoscopy for 5 years, but finally decided to have it done. Read more
Published 3 months ago by C-Diff Survivor
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews





Forums

Topic From this Discussion
Soluble vs. Insoluble Fiber
You may review this link for more information on soluble vs. insoluble fiber: http://www.fibermenace.com/gutsense/chinashop.html
Konstantin Monastyrsky
Feb 6, 2008 by K. Monastyrsky |  See all 4 posts
Have something you'd like to share about this product?
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions


So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category