Gastrointestinal Health: The Proven Nutritional Program to Prevent, Cure, or Alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcers, Gas, Constipation, Heartburn, and Many Other Digestive Disorders, Third Edition (Paperback)

~ (Author) "You have a problem that's driving you crazy..." (more)
Key Phrases: lactase enzyme tablet, lactase enzyme drops, nonstick vegetable oil spray, Self-Help Nutritional Program, Flag Foods, Two-Week Master Program (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Chronic gastrointestinal problems--heartburn, gas pain, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids--afflict 80 million Americans, who usually resort to the medicine cabinet in times of need. But wouldn't it be more logical to treat these disorders through diet, since eating the wrong foods probably caused the trouble? That's the sensible premise of Peikin ( The Feel Full Diet ), who heads the Digestive Disease Servicesic at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. The author lays out a "self-help nutritional program"--a high-fiber, low-fat, balanced diet that he claims has provided prompt relief to his own patients suffering from a wide variety of GI maladies. Emphasizing that such a diet needn't be monotonous, the book offers 75 pages of recipes. Elsewhere, Peikin describes in detail the many ills remediable from altered diet, and takes the reader on an instructive tour of the GI tract. We learn that both regular and decaffeinated coffees stimulate unwelcome stomach-acid secretion, that fiber is now thought to aid in ulcer healing and that true food allergies are rare in adults. Also discussed are prescription and over-the-counter drugs and the roles they can play in treating certain conditions.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Peikin, director of Gastrointestinal Nutrition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, states in his introduction that more than 80 million Americans, many between the ages of 25 and 40, suffer from chronic digestive problems. This book addresses the many gastrointestinal (GI) problems in a clear, easy-to-understand style; most importantly, each specific ailment is thoroughly explained, including diagnostic procedures, drug and dietary therapy, and prognosis. Peikin stresses his self-help nutritional program, not necessarily as a cure-all, but as a method of alleviating and reducing many of the symptoms of GI distress. Included are an excellent list of "flag foods," a two-week master diet program, and, best of all, well-written recipes that will appeal to everyone, including those without GI problems. This is highly recommended for its thorough coverage, sound advice, and healthy suggestions.
-Debra Berlanstein, Towson State Univ. Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 3 edition (April 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060585323
• ISBN-13: 978-0060585327
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #268,469 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars White Sugar Is A Poison, February 4, 2001

By	Jeff Marzano (Essex Junction, VT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gastrointestinal Health, rev ed: Completely New and Revised (Paperback)

I read the earlier edition of this book and have the new edition. I thought it was good enough to buy the second edition.

If you ever watch the commercials on TV during the evening news you would think pretty much everyone in the United States has something wrong with their stomach. That is not too far off.

I've seen tv commercials encouraging teenagers to start taking laxatives.

This book is good because it gives real life examples and doesn't try to tell anyone to always eat pefectly which is basically impossible and even if it is possible the person would die of monotony probably. For example I used to eat 3 or 4 pork chops at one meal but the book says meat should not be as significant a part of the diet. This causes you to lose weight also in a safe way.

The biggest thing I think is the part about exercise. The book says go for a long walk every night.

If you do this and also identify things you may not be able to digest such as milk you shouldn't have too many stomach problems. There's milk out now called 'Lactaid' which has the lactose enzyme added in.

Those who don't do these things will ultimately try to treat their problems with over the counter or prescription drugs rather than attack the problems at the source.

Updated 12/23/07
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Since I read this book and wrote the original review I have learned more about diet. The hell that I went through with my stomach was mainly caused by flooding my system with white sugar and other refined sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup. White sugar is basically a poison for the body. The soft drink and candy companies are poisoning America and the the entire world really with this crap.

White sugar attacks and weakens the immune system. When I removed it from my diet I lost my allergies for trees, grasses, molds, and ragweed.

But you have to beware of so called 'sugar free' candy and other things also. These contain the sugar alcohols which are even worse than white sugar.

What you should look for is raw (not necessarily organic) sugar.

An emerging discovery in the area of natural health is maintaing the proper Ph level in the body's chemistry.

Jeff Marzano

Sugar in the Raw Raw Sugar, 24-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)

Alkalize or Die

The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health: Restore Your Health by Creating Balance in Your Diet

McCann's Steel Cut Oatmeal, Traditional, 28-Ounce Tins (Pack of 4)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gastrointestinal Health by Peikin MD, February 2, 2004

By	Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Gastrointestinal Health, rev ed: Completely New and Revised (Paperback)

This book is very useful for a wide constituency of physicians
and patients . It is helpful for gastrointestinal, neurologic
and rhematological problems. The author treats the nutritional
dimension of our health. For instance, milk may harm ulcers
and exacerbate other problems in the GI tract. Spicy foods may
aggravate inflammations. The author explains that the small
intestine digests proteins and splits amino acids and enzymes.
The digestive system interacts with the circulatory system.
Nutrients travel to the liver which secretes bile and removes
toxins from injested foods. With the exception of fats, all
nutrients enter the bloodstream via the liver. Undigested
fiber evacuates. White bread, chocolate and pastas clog the
digestive system. Spasms aggravate existing digestive disorders.
These spasms may take the form of abdomenal discomfort,
IBS, Crohns Disease and diverticulosis. Pancreatitis is a
steady increase in abdomenal discomfort aggravated by alcohol.

Sandostatin treats pancreatitis. Certain foods contain gluten.
The gluten can aggravate existing gastrointestinal conditions.
Eliminating wheat, rye and sweets helps to alleviate symptoms.
Stress is an aggravating factor with regard to the GI tract.
An increase in fiber helps the tract operate better. In addition,
the GI tract needs micronutrients and vitamins to aid in
the digestive process. This book is excellent as a health
maintenance tool.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was a lifesaver, November 21, 2003

By	Christine Gonzales (Texas, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gastrointestinal Health, rev ed: Completely New and Revised (Paperback)

I suffered for a year before this book came to my rescue. Once I started having stabbing pains after I ate, a friend let me borrow her copy to seek some relief. After an endoscopy and a trip to the emergency room with excrutiating pain, I finally consulted the book and learned that my problem may go further than acid reflux. At my second trip to the ER I insisted on having my gallbladder tested. The ER doctor was not interested in going that direction, but he placated me and let me have an ultrasound. That revealed that I had an enlarged gallbladder and gallstones. I had surgery the next day to remove the gallbladder. Had I not read the book and become informed, there is no telling how much longer I would have had to suffer (the ER docs were content with medicating me and sending me home and not trying to figure out what was wrong). It helps to educate yourself when you know something is not right with your body, because doctors do not know everything. I had seen two doctors previously, and neither had an inkling that my gallbladder might have been my problem. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has digestive problems.