The Probiotics Revolution: The Definitive Guide to Safe, Natural Health Solutions Using Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods and Supplements

By Gary B. Huffnagle and Sarah Wernick

Book Overview

If the thought of bacteria conjures images of germs that should be avoided at all costs--and certainly not ingested--think again Some friendly bacteria, called probiotics, are not only beneficial to your health, they're essential. Now an internationally recognized scientist at a top U.S. medical school--one of the leading researchers in the field--sheds light on the extraordinary benefits of these natural health superstars. Thanks to an explosion of research in recent years, one thing is clear: probiotics, the healthy bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract, are the body's silent partners for good health, optimizing the power of the immune system to fight disease and the "bad" germs we fear. But how do they work? And in the face of factors like stress and poor diet, which decrease their numbers, how do you keep your supply well stocked? Here is an up-to-the-minute, highly accessible guide to probiotics and the foods and supplements that contain and support them--many of which may be in your diet already. Discover: The key role of probiotics and prebiotics in restoring healthy balance to our bodies, improving immune system functioning, and curbing inflammation How to use probiotic foods and supplements to prevent and relieve allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, yeast infections, and the negative side effects of antibiotic use New evidence that probiotics may help fight asthma, cardiovascular disease, breast and colon cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia--and even obesity Natural sources of prebiotics, the nutrients that help make the digestive tract more hospitable for probiotic bacteria The Probiotics Revolution also includes a step-by-step plan for incorporating the many food sources of probiotics and prebiotics into your diet, a complete buyer's guide to probiotic supplements, and how to introduce probiotics to your family and children.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553384198
• ISBN13: 9780553384192
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating book, practical information

This book is a fascinating read. Information is presented clearly and in depth. It is written in an easy-to-read ,familiar manner. I constantly wanted to read parts aloud to family members (annoying, huh?) and share information with friends. If you are intrigued by and/or interested in probiotics, you will do well to read this book.

Understand Your Immune System and Get Healthy

I bought this book in conjunction with purchasing a home yogurt-maker. It's written in an easy-to-understand style and makes a great argument for including probiotics in your daily diet. With all of the antibiotics in our medicine, food and soap, it's important to know how to replenish the good bacteria in our bodies.

A quick review -- I would share this with everyone in my family! A must read for anyone with digest

I have read this book all in the same day I picked it up from the library. It is well written and does not condescend to the reader yet thoroughly explains the science behind probiotics, and how to apply this knowledge. I intend to read more and thoroughly revamp my diet. The anecdotal bits and the studies cited were enough to convince me of a connection between probiotics and many major health issues. I intend to conduct my own study using my, and my family's health! Thanks!

Hope without the Hype

Huffnagle's "Probiotics Revolution" is written by a reputable scholar and scientist in an approachable but not overly simplified manner. The book is organized in 3 sections: Part 1: The Promise of Probiotics (4 chapters) gives the scientific background for by the book by describing immune system functioning, the effects of antibiotics, and the relationship between immune system functioning and inflammation, which is at the basis of so many diseases. A key idea is that, for optimal functioning, we need to populate our gut with "good bacteria" to crowd out and make life inhospitable for "bad bacteria." Part 2: Preventing and Treating Disease (5 chapters) deals with particular diseases that are benefitted by the use of probiotics, particularly digestive and urogenital diseases and allergic responses, plus discussion of the general use of probiotics for health and more speculative discussion of the potential for probiotic benefits for other inflammation-based disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Part 3: Promoting Microbial Blanace: What You Can Do (7 chapters) discusses food and supplement sources of probiotics and "prebiotics" (foods such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains) that provide nutritional support for the probiotics. (Although there is no separate chapter, another key term from the book is "metabiotics," the metabolic products of probiotics, which provide some benefit even when the bacteria themselves have died--this is why cooked foods such as pasteurized yogurt or sourdough bread can still show some benefit.) Detailed charts discussing the particular species content of different supplements and indicating which species have been scientifically demonstrated to benefit which disorders are included. The book concludes with a general food plan, a discussion of how to get kids to eat more healthfully (illustrated with amusing anecdotes with his own children), and some recipes, focused mostly on recipes for those with a busy lifestyle who do not want to spend a lot of time on food preparation. I highly recommend the book for its scientific basis and accessible presentation. My one criticism is that I thought that the recipes section was a little paltry, particularly with regards to its selection of main dishes (only two, one of which was nachos, not something I normally think of as a main dish). Overall, an excellent and practical resource.

Best book on the topic of probiotics

I have read many books on the topic of probiotics. This was the best one by far. It tells you the latest studies on the subject and discusses all it can do for you. It includes diet as well as supplements. It was enjoyable learning about this topic. It doesn't claim things that are not proven yet. The best part was the wonderful recipes at the end.