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Gut

The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Our gut is almost as important to us as our brain and yet we know very little about how it works. Gut: The Inside Story is an entertaining, informative tour of the digestive system from the moment we raise a tasty morsel to our lips until the moment our body surrenders the remnants to the toilet bowl. No topic is too lowly for the author's wonder and admiration, from the careful choreography of breaking wind to the precise internal communication required for a cleansing vomit. Along the way, the author provides practical advice such as the best ways to sit on the toilet to have a comfortable bowel movement, how clean your kitchen should be for optimum gut health, and how different laxatives work. She tells stories of gut bacteria that can lead to obesity, autoimmune diseases, or even suicide, and she discusses the benefits of dietary supplements such as probiotics. This book is a fascinating primer for anyone interested in how our ideas about the gut are changing in the light of cutting-edge scientific research. In the words of the author, “We live in an era in which we are just beginning to understand just how complex the connections are between us, our food, our pets and the microscopic world in, on, and around us. We are gradually decoding processes that we used to believe were part of our inescapable destiny."

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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      July 6, 2015
      Enders, a medical student, became fascinated with all things digestive after a roommate asked her about the mechanics of elimination. She discovered that the gut affects overall health far more than she thought. With a great sense of humor and ample enthusiasm, Enders explains everything readers did and didn't want to know about their innards. She describes the digestive journey of a piece of cake from eyes to outcome in graphic detail, showing how much more is involved than just the stomach and intestines. She explores the world of microbes to talk about the good (probiotics), the bad (germs), and the ugly (toxoplasma). Parasites feature as well, and after disgusting readers with the particulars, she kindly provides tips on how to avoid an infestation. Enders also includes advice on how to avoid constipation, how to lie in bed in case of bloating, and what to do for heartburn. She doesn't just state factsâshe delves into the science behind them, which is eye-opening and humbling to learn about. With Harry Potter references, a Facebook analogy for understanding microbial food preferences, and zany drawings, this book defies boredom.

    • Library Journal

      May 1, 2015

      The large intestine contains the biggest microbial community in the body as hundreds of species of bacteria, or microbiota, reside in the human digestive tract. While microbes are known to aid in digestion and stimulate the immune system, only recently have scientists began to study the complex, symbiotic relationship between the human gut and its microbes.

      In The Good Gut, Justin and Erica Sonnenburg, professor and researcher of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University respectively, explain the role that microbes play in the GI tract and how they relate to overall health, including possible links to obesity, autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies, and more. While antibiotics and a low-fiber diet contribute to decreased microbiota, the good news is that gut flora diversity can be improved by consuming a microbiota-friendly diet that includes probiotics, fermented products, and high-fiber foods, especially those containing inulin, a natural storage carbohydrate. While aimed at the layperson, this title is acronym heavy: be prepared to understand SCFAs, MACs, FMTs, CDAD, EPS, and ASD.

      Gut, written by Enders, a medical student, takes a lighthearted approach to the "body's most underrated organ." Originally published in German and a best seller on Germany's paperback charts, the title covers the entire digestive tract--from the mouth and tonsils to the esophagus to the small and large intestine, humorously lauding the elegance of the bowels. Along the way, the author covers myriad topics: the proper way to sit on a toilet, vomiting, constipation, feces facts, and the influence the gut has on the brain. The third portion of the book covers microbes, both good and bad. VERDICT With the increased attention paid to microbiota and the gut, readers will find each of these books noteworthy. Those interested in changing their microbiota will want to read The Good Gut; those who like a conversational approach to learning about the digestive system will prefer Gut.--Pauline Theriault, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

      Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1120
  • Text Difficulty:7-9

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