Natural Ways to Digestive Health: Interfaces Between Conventional and Alternative Medicine [Hardcover]

Stephen Holt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001

This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the digestive system with stopping points along the way from the esophagus to the lower intestines.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Board-certified gastroenterologist Holt (The Natural Way to a Healthy Heart) sets the bar high in his foreword, stating that the "value of the book is to enlighten both the layperson and practicing physicians about emerging concepts in alternative medicine as applied to gastrointestinal disease." He presents his own holistic philosophy, "pluralistic medicine," or using what works from conventional and alternative medicine for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Holt focuses on digestive disorders attributed predominantly to an unbalanced lifestyle, with detailed, complicated explanations (without illustrations) of digestive disorders having their origin from the mouth to the anus. The format includes a description of the system, the disorder, and the conventional medical treatment, followed by alternative therapies. Holt often presents the alternative therapy superficially, along with an evaluation of its effectiveness. His book suffers from its attempt to reach both the general reader, for whom it is too technical, and the physician, who will find it too repetitive. Holt also tries too hard to be the broker between alternative and conventional medicine. His book concludes with a short list of recommended readings and resources. Consumer health collections would do better with Optimal Digestion: New Strategies for Achieving Digestive Health (Wholecare, 1999), edited by Trent W. Nichols, M.D., and Nancy Faass. Not an essential purchase. Lisa McCormick, Jewish Hosp. Lib., Cincinnati
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus is sometimes called a second brain, and though Holt prefers the term gut, that conception emphasizes the close relationship between body and mind. Holt wrote this informative book for the lay public and physicians because he feels that complementary medicine and natural remedies can play major roles in digestive health. He calls his approach "pluralistic medicine" and augments it with a humane attitude toward patients, doctors, and their problems. He deals clearly and sometimes wittily with disorders that aren't due to readily identifiable diseases or abnormalities of structure, and with what to look out for and how to treat and even avoid problems. He pinpoints problems that medicine as a social establishment and government create, such as denying the benefits of alternative medicine and making prescription drugs available over-the-counter, and he stresses that if you treat the gut well, it will generally cooperate. Tables and chapter summaries help make a wealth of information digestible. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 330 pages
• Publisher: M.Evans & Company (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871319098
• ISBN-13: 978-0871319098
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,460,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for open-minded healthcare practitioners!, November 2, 2005

By 

Sarah S. "sarahkitty" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Ways to Digestive Health: Interfaces Between Conventional and Alternative Medicine (Paperback)

I think this is a wonderful books and I really like the openminded approach of the author regarding a happy medium between holistic treatments and conventional ones. I do have to disagree with the other reviewer though because I do believe that this book could be easily read by the layperson. I also like that the Dr. explores the realm of oral health and the mind-body connection in diagnosing and treating GI problems. These are oft neglected areas that need to be adressed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, intelligent book, July 7, 2005

By 

Kathy Sage "Kathy" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Ways to Digestive Health: Interfaces Between Conventional and Alternative Medicine (Paperback)

One of the better books I have read. He is not a true believer in either the conventional or the alternative approach, but rather deals intelligently with each. He obviously understands both research and diagnosis.

The book is not an easy read for the layperson, but that is because digestive health is not simplistic. Anyone who has had trouble getting an accurate diagnosis for digestive problems will know what I mean! Worth a careful read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, August 14, 2008

By 

opendoor (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Ways to Digestive Health: Interfaces Between Conventional and Alternative Medicine (Paperback)

This book blends medical explanation with a fair opinion of natural remedies. It offers clarification on which non-traditional treatments are likely to work and which aren't. An excellent resource!