Optimal Digestive Health: A Complete Guide [Paperback]

Trent W. Nichols (Author), Nancy Faass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 2005

A comprehensive and integrative approach to achieving digestive health using mainstream, complementary, and alternative therapies

• Offers complete information on herbal and homeopathic remedies, supplements, diets, medical tests, and environmental toxin reduction

• Includes a step-by-step diet to help readers moderate their carbohydrate intake and balance blood sugar levels

• Contains effective therapies for 30 digestive disorders, from candida to ulcers

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90 million Americans suffer from digestive disorders. Drawing on the expertise of 25 practitioners, Optimal Digestive Health explores the symptoms, possible causes, medical testing, and effective treatments for 30 digestive disorders, from candida and colitis to ulcers. In addition, the authors explain the role digestion plays in many other health conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, mood swings, immune function, and skin problems. They provide clear information on detoxification, food allergies, and environmental factors, as well as meditation, qigong, and yoga. A step-by-step diet is offered to help readers moderate their carbohydrate intake and balance their blood sugar--keys to health and weight loss. Optimal Digestive Health demystifies the use of herbal therapies, acupuncture, biofeedback, and Ayurveda in the treatment of digestive disorders, pairing the best of mainstream medicine and complementary therapies with intelligent self-care for an integrated patient-centered approach to healing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“. . . provide[s] an important survey of herbal therapies, homeopathy, and the other alternatives to mainstream methods--including complementary therapies.”
(The Midwest Book Review )

"This revised edition presents the most comprehensive, up-to-date information and treatments available. . . . pairs the best of mainstream medicine and complementary therapies with intelligent self-care for an integrated patient-centered approach to healing."
(Aznet News, Aug-Sept 2005 )

"From managing blood sugar to utilizing guided imagery in healing, Dr. Trent W. Nichols and Nancy Faass have compiled a thorough, wide-ranging reference work that should be required reading for anyone with a chronic health problem, as well as fo health professionals."
(Nicole Noles, New Age Retailer, New Year 2006 )

From the Back Cover

HEALTH / DIET

More than ninety million Americans suffer from digestive disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health, yet very few of us know where to turn for help and information.

Optimal Digestive Health presents the most comprehensive, up-to-date information and treatments available from both mainstream and alternative medicine for more than thirty digestive disorders--from seriously debilitating and chronic conditions to the occasional imbalances that can temporarily stop any of us in our tracks, including:

Reflux and heartburn • Ulcers • Candida • Fibromyalgia • Food allergies Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) • Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease Parasitic infection • Gallstones • Chronic constipation and diarrhea Diverticulosis • Colon and pancreatic cancer

Drawing on the advice and research of twenty-five top physicians and practitioners in the field of Integrative Medicine, the book begins with an overall evaluation of your current health and then explores the symptoms, possible causes, medical testing, and most effective treatments available.

The book helps you create an individual health program using diet, nutrients, medications, exercise, rest, and stress reduction. Optimal Digestive Health demystifies the use of herbal therapies, homeopathy, acupuncture, biofeedback, and Ayurveda in the treatment of digestive disorders. This approach pairs the best of mainstream medicine and complementary therapies with intelligent self-care for an integrated patient-centered approach to healing.

TRENT W. NICHOLS, MD, is an internist, nutritionist, and gastroenterologist with more than thirty years of clinical experience. He is the founder and director of the Center for Nutritional Digestive Disorders and also the Advanced Magnetic Research Institute in Hanover, Pennsylvania. He was recently selected as one of America’s Top Physicians by Consumers’ Research Council of America.

NANCY FAASS, MSW, MPH, is a writer and editor in San Francisco. She is the coauthor of The Germ Survival Guide and Boosting Immunity and editor of Integrating Complementary Medicine into Health Systems, voted 2001 Medical Book of the Year.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press; Revised edition (February 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770360
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770364
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Abdominal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book. Reviewed by Jay in San Francisco, June 18, 2005

By 

Jay in San Francisco - See all my reviews

This review is from: Optimal Digestive Health: A Complete Guide (Paperback)

As a person living with Crohn's disease, I found Optimal Digestive Health insightful in helping me understand some reasons why my body works the way it does. The book is complete yet very easy to read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important survey of herbal therapies, homeopathy, and other alternative methods to mainstream medicine, August 7, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Optimal Digestive Health: A Complete Guide (Paperback)

Over twenty top physicians and practitioners in Integrative Medicine discusses digestive health and how to create an optimal customized health plan blending exercise, rest, medications and diet. Dr. Nichols is an internist and nutritionist, Nancy Faas is a writer and editor: the two provide an important survey of herbal therapies, homeopathy, and other alternative methods to mainstream medicine - including complimentary therapies.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the authors:, April 18, 2005

By 

The editors, (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Optimal Digestive Health: A Complete Guide (Paperback)

Digestive disorders affect about 90 million Americans, according to the NIH. These conditions range from food allergies and reflux to colitis, Crohn's, and cancer. If you have been struggling with digestive illness for more than two months, consider 1) seeing a health care professional and 2) educating yourself about your condition and your treatment options. If you are struggling with one of these frustrating conditions, this book was written for you.

Optimal Digestive Health is a new edition of Optimal Digestion - The book has been updated throughout, with 12 new chapters. Reviews of the 1st edition:

*****
Fabulous!, April 23, 2002
Reviewer from Carmel, IN USA This is the best book I have ever read on digestive disorders. It covers every situation imaginable. I consider this a "must read" for anyone with inflammatory bowel disease or bowel disorders associated with autism. It also covers Irritable Bowel, parasites, and other difficult to treat situations. This is a well-written, intelligent, insightful book. I highly recommend it as my new favorite.

*****
For all digestive health concerns - this is it!, December 6, 2001
Reviewer from Little Rock, AR United States This has to be one of the most extensive and enlightening books on digestive health available. It covers all things digestive and is authored by a wide variety of healthcare professionals who represent a healthy balance of traditional and alternative thinking. It is the most informative (and enjoyable) book on digestive health I've purchased - and I've got quite a few. It even provides contact information for most of the authors, should you decide to make personal contact or seek treatment. Definitely a worthwhile purchase!

*****
Digestive problems written by doctors for regular people, July 11, 2001
Reviewer from Fremont, CA United States Of all of the books I have read to try to understand food sensitivities (which is about 15 by now) this one is the best. I have more faith in this one because it is written by doctors. But I could understand most of it. It also lists several doctors who deal with these issues. That was worth the 12 bucks.

*****
Optimal digestion, August 25, 2000
Reviewer from Los Angeles, California I am a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and picked this book up at a local bookstore on a whim, wondering if there was anything that I could learn from it. To my surprise I read without stopping for about three hours after opening the book. What a delight to find a book so full of great information for the lay person and for a professional at the same time! This book is well laid out with clear diagrams and good advice. Well worth buying.