The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity [Paperback]

Donna Gates (Author), Linda Schatz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2006

     If you’re experiencing discomfort, fatigue, or other symptoms that won’t go away no matter what you do or how many doctors you see, chances are you’re one of the millions unknowingly suffering from a systemic fungal/yeast infection, “the hidden invader.” The result of an imbalance starting in your internal ecosystem, this can be a key factor in headaches, joint and muscle pain, depression, cancer, food allergies, digestive problems, autism, and other immune-related disorders.  

     The Body Ecology Diet reveals how to restore and maintain the “inner ecology” your body needs to function properly, and eliminate or control the symptoms that rob you of the joy of living. Tens of thousands of people have already benefited from the Body Ecology way of life—Donna Gates shows you, step-by-step, how to eat your way to better health and well-being . . . deliciously, easily, and inexpensively!

     In this book, you will learn how to: use seven basic universal principles as tools to gain mastery over every health challenge you may encounter; focus on your inner ecology to create ideal digestive balance; conquer cravings with strategies for satisfying snacking and for dining away from home; and plan meals with dozens of delectable recipes, an array of menus, and detailed shopping lists.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A few years ago I attended a week long workshop with Donna Gates. It was an eye opening experience as she shared simple but powerful principles for attaining and maintaining a super healthy body. One of the most important things in the workshop was that Donna fed us breakfast and lunch. We were able to taste and experience how delicious the fermented foods were. Everyone enjoyed her way of cooking and delighted to take her recipes and probiotic nutrition home with them. I have been a follower ever since and at 84 am enjoying vibrant health.
- Louise L. Hay, the New York Times best-selling author of You Can Heal Your Life.

Body Ecology emphasizes the importance of what we put into our bodies and teaches a way of eating that makes me feel like I am in control of my health and in tune with my body's intuitive needs. Cultured vegetables and coconut kefir have become essentials, not only in my home, but whenever I travel.
- Jessica Biel, Actress.

Donna Gates has opened my mind up to new and amazing alternatives and possibilities to healing. Never did I know and fully understand the power food has in regards to healing the body. Not only is the book educational for a better life but the food is DELICIOUS! Who knew healthy food could be so good?!
- Tia Mowry, Actress.

Donna Gates has fused ancient wisdom with modern science to develop the most powerful eating program on the planet today. The Body Ecology Diet is a complete system of living that consciously brings the love of eating into your home. It's not about weight loss...it's about health gain.
- Dr. Darren Weissman, author of Awakening to the Secret Code of Your Mind.

I have seen Donna Gates and her Body Ecology program greatly improve health in all age ranges, from children with autism to healthy aging in senior citizens when they stick with the program for a few months. Her plant-based organic food diet, with an emphasis on fermented foods, is ideal for building a healthy intestinal tract, which is the foundation for optimum health and well-being.
- Leonard Smith, M.D., renowned gastrointestinal, vascular and general surgeon, and expert in the field of nutrition and natural supplementation.

While internet technology provides us with a myriad of information, a seeker often gets lost, confused, and overwhelmed. Such is the case faced by many of my patients who are in a quest to find answers to their physical and mental ailments. Donna Gates’ 'Body Ecology Diet' is not only a succinct compilation of effective health information, equivalent to reading dozens of related books, it also provides a well versed program ushering the reader on a path to greater wellness. Donna’s insights will shine a ray of light to many who are at lost.
- Dr. Taisuke Jo DC, DIBAK .

The Body Ecology Diet is easy to understand and chock full of practical information. I recommend it!
- William G. Crook M.D., author of The Yeast Connection and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Body Ecology Diet brings us into the era of whole-body therapy. I don't think the authors left anything out.
- Lendon H. Smith M.D., Author of Feed Your Kids Right, Feed Yourself Right, and co-author of Beyond Antibiotics.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Donna Gates, a nutritional consultant, author, and lecturer, has helped thousands of people overcome candidiasis and other immune-system disorders. Drawing on the best of modern medical science, ancient Chinese medicine, and naturopathy—combined with years of firsthand experience counseling clients—she created Body Ecology, her own system of health and healing. Donna regularly appears on radio shows and conducts workshops to educate the public on medicinal foods.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: B E D Pubns; Tenth edition (June 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963845837
• ISBN-13: 978-0963845832
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Cured Me! February 12, 2012

By Bean

Format:Paperback

I found out about this book through a raw blog. A guy described his battle with candidiasis. I didn't realize that guys could get it and I never realized that candidiasis manifested itself in a spectrum of ways that I suffered from. I purchased this book and spend about 2 weeks reading, studying, and highlighting the book. I started the diet last Monday and I have to admit that the book has become my bible just because it's been a huge change for me that I continually have to refer back to the book. I photocopied a couple pages of the book to carry around with me and use as a reference when I'm out and I have to figure out what I can eat.

I used to be on the raw food diet, ate organic and healthy and I was still experiencing a low immune system, breaking out, and a chronic yeast infection that I've had for over 5 years. I've tried treating the yeast infection with antibiotics, a watered down hydrogen peroxide douche, and boric acid suppositories. None of the treatments stuck. My yeast infection returned with in a day or two of stopping the treatment. If I ever had more than one day a week of an early work day, I came down with a sore throat.

I'm so ecstatic to report that this diet has cured me of my yeast infection. I can't believe it.

It was difficult for me to return to cooked foods because I loved the principles of the raw food diet, but being cured of the yeast infection has made me a believer. Obviously my body wasn't receiving the nourishment it needed to heal itself.

I gave this 4 stars only because the book is a constant advertisement for her products. I realize that a person needs to make a living, but I felt like it was a little overkill. If you do a Google search you can find other ways to make cultured vegetables without using her starter kit. I use 1 liter of water to 2 TB sea salt and pour it over a mixture of chopped veggies and let it sit on my counter for 7 days. So far, it's worked great. I also purchased water kefir granules 2 years ago from an online shop that only sells that and they are still healthy and creating wonderful drinks. I will eventually use them to make cultured coconut water.

I went through some crazy sugar withdraws during this first week. I felt like I was a drug addict. That has been the most difficult part of this adjustment. Teas with flavored stevias (specifically vanilla cream) and my recipe for homemade healthy kettle corn has helped me greatly.

340 of 404 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Covers an important topic, but lacks substance March 17, 2008

By >/.\<

Format:Paperback

It seems that in most cases that nonfiction authors are motivated by one of two things when creating their works. Some feel that they have some sort of information that needs sharing, and use books as a way to get their word out. These authors have a true passion for their topic, which clearly shows when reading their books. Others are driven purely by profit. Sadly, it seems that the latter is true of Donna Gates and her Body Ecology Diet. Though this book does cover an important topic, it lacks substance and fails to deliver. However, it may be a good source for someone used to only mainstream health books and wanting a simple primer on the subject.
While the book is easy to read, it seems to offer no new information that is not readily available in other books or on the internet. Gates seems to favor certain foods and products, such as coconut water kefir, yet fails to thoroughly justify her preference for them, and supports her claims with little scientific research. However, her section on the same subject does offer an excellent guide on making the coconut water kefir, which serves as one of the few saving graces of this book.
This brings me to one of the biggest gripes I have with Body Ecology Diet. Throughout the book are references to her website for more information. Unfortunately, the website fails to thoroughly expound on any of the topics in her book, and instead bombards visitors with a myriad of products that are touted as miracle cures to everything from Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism to Sexual Dysfunction. Of course, a majority of these products are sold either through her own storefront or through affiliate sites, earning her a hefty profit. While this review is about Gates' book, not her website, it is made relevant by the numerous times that the book refers readers to it, instructing them to purchase some product that is necessary if you want to follow her diet. In other words, don't expect to be able to follow Gates' version of the Candida diet without purchasing items from her storefront, or a well-stocked health food store.
I do not mean for this review to turn people off of a diet that targets Candida. It is simply that other books, such as Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats, offer much more information, back it up with more hard evidence, and more importantly, do not require you to purchase more products from the author. Candidiasis is a real condition, and ridding yourself of it will bring about real improvements in your energy level and weight, among other things. It is just that Gates' work feels like a shallow and self-promoting rehash of currently available information. The most important thing when finding a book on the subject is finding one that works well for you. Therefore, I recommend readers look for a book written with passion that truly moves you to follow its advice. While this book's approach may work for some, I found myself wanting more.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, but ... March 29, 2012

By N. Merlo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I agree with what some of the other folks who did not give this book a 5-star rating had to say; HOWEVER, the principles at the heart of this book are priceless for us all. YES, the book is not very well thought out, it's structure leaves much to be desired, the graphic of the eating plan is a disgrace, there are a lot of details that simply are not there and the author does leave you with a lot of questions ... BUT, the idea of the good bacteria vs. bad bacteria that lives in our gut is right on and I guarantee you can be free of a plethora of different symptoms should you choose to follow the few simple principles in this book. Now, as far as the author constantly pitching her products goes (and boy does she) you need to look past that; think of it as her just helping you along with a one-stop shopping site to get you started eating this way ... hey, a girl has to make a buck - let's not hold this against her. I started out ordering some of her products at the get-go because I was so excited about the diet that I wanted to start a.s.a.p. but later on you can shop around and find similar products elsewhere if that makes you feel any better. Although, the products from her site are good quality and there isn't anything wrong with them, so really ... it's not that big a deal that she pitches them as much as she does.

Originally I was drawn to this book because I had experienced various digestive issues for a really long time which had completely disrupted my life, but what I was really noticing was how many of my middle-age girlfriends were experiencing the very same issues - I'm 48 by the way. I just knew there had to be something causing this and I was beginning to suspect the pathetic agri-business that is responsible for feeding this industrialized nation but that's another book. I read the book and started slowly with some of Donna's suggestions, and as a result, my husband (who incidently has no choice but to eat all these exotic new things I was so excited to fix for us) had finally found relief from the chronic constipation this man had endured for years! As for myself, all I can say, is that I finally feel like a normal human being again when it comes to my digestive tract. In fact, better than normal because the new normal seems to be irritable bowel syndrome, does it not?

The list of symptoms I have helped people find relief from all thanks to the principals of this book is endless - so I suggest to you, if you are on the fence about reading this book because of some of the reviews here, just get the book and read it with an open mind. Then, most importantly, do not look for a structured eat-this-and-this-and-that kind of a schedule in this book - it's not that kind of a "diet" but more of the kind of diet where you learn the kinds of things that are just plain good for your health and what isn't. Yes, you will lose weight, but that is not what this diet is about, weight-loss is merely a side-effect from eating this way. What people do not realize is that so many other conditions we suffer from are originating in our unhealthy guts - fix that, and these other conditions can be cured as well. I've never been healthier and it shows, and it's all because of this book.