Craig Soderberg

Some of the main ideas from this book include: (1) poor gut function seriously impacts not only physical health but also brain health, (2) the rate of autism in America has skyrocketed from 1 child in 10,000 (25 years ago) to 1 child in 150 in Great Britain, (3) information on nutrition is not included in the curriculum of the Western medical schools and consequently doctors have very little idea about the value of nutrition in the treatment of disease, (4) all of these maladies (dyspraxia, autism, ADD, dyslexia, ADHD, depression, and schizophrenia) are related to digestive abnormalities, which the author names as Gut and Psychology Syndrome.

The author states that every autistic child she has ever met has had digestive problems. There is also a substantial amount of research linking schizophrenia with digestive abnormalities similar to coeliac disease. Most people with abnormal gut flora also have anemia.

The whole length of the digestive tract is coated with a bacterial layer providing a natural barrier against invaders, undigested food, toxins, and parasites. Without a well-functioning gut flora, the gut wall not only becomes unprotected but also malnourished. Normal gut flora also provides a major source of energy and nourishment for the cells, which are lining the digestive tract. If the gut flora is damaged, the best foods and supplements in the world may not have a good chance of being broken down and absorbed.

Fiber is important in our diet, and it is one of the natural habitats for beneficial bacteria in the gut.

It has been estimated that 80-85% of our immunity is located in the gut wall.

What can damage our gut flora? Farm animals and poultry are routinely given antibiotics, so all the products we get from them (meat, milk, eggs) will provide us a constant supply of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which these animals develop in their bodies as well as all the toxins, which these bacteria produce.  Here are some of the problems associated with antibiotics. Antibiotics change bacteria, viruses, and fungi from benign to pathogenic, giving them the ability to invade tissues and cause disease.

Antibiotics have a direct damaging effect on the immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections, which leads to a vicious cycle of more antibiotics and more infections.

The chapter on the gut-brain connection was very interesting. A major portion of this chapter was devoted to explaining how alcohol is very toxic. There is no part of the body that will not suffer from the constant supply of alcohol even in tiny amounts. Here are just a few results of the chronic presence of alcohol in the body:

• Reduced ability of the stomach to produce stomach acid.
• Pancreas degeneration with reduced ability to produce pancreatic enzymes, which impairs digestion.
• Direct damage to the gut lining, causing malabsorption.
• Nutritional deficiencies through malabsorption of most vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Deficiencies in B and A vitamins are common.
• Damage to the immune system.
• Liver damage with reduced ability to detoxify drugs, pollutants, and other toxins.
• Inability of the liver to dispose of old neurotransmitters, hormones, and other byproducts of normal metabolism. As a result, these substances accumulate in the body, causing behavioral abnormalities and other problems.
• Brain damage with lack of self-control, impaired coordination, impaired speech development, loss of memory, and stupor.
• Peripheral nerve damage with altered senses and muscle weakness.
• Direct muscle tissue damage.
• Alcohol has the ability to enhance the toxicity of most common drugs, pollutants, and other toxins.
• Alteration of metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in the body.
• Alcohol and acetaldehyde (the most toxic byproduct of alcohol) render many nutrients useless in the body. As a result, the person develops typical symptoms of thyroid deficiency: depression, lethargy, fatigue, weight gain, poor body temperature control, poor immunity, etc.

A large percentage of the book is devoted to discussions about recommended foods, types of foods, and recipes, probiotics, good fats and bad fats, cod liver oil, and digestive enzymes.

My favorite part of the book was learning about the top ten influences that boost immunity: (1) fresh animal fats and cholesterol-rich foods, (2) cold-pressed oils, (3) onions and garlic, (4) freshly pressed vegetable and fruit juices, (5) greens, (6) probiotic supplementation and fermented foods, (7) contact with animals, (8) swimming in unpolluted natural waters, (9) physical activity in the fresh air, (10) exposure to sunlight and sensible sunbathing.

I recommend this book to anyone who might want to understand the importance of gut heath and who might want some practical suggestions on improving one’s gut health.

Published June 29, 2024

About the Reviewer

Craig Soderberg enjoys learning about healthy, sustainable living and has written several book reviews for Townsend Letter over the years. He is a chapter leader with the Weston A. Price Foundation and also active in the 4-H program, helping kids learn more about raising honeybees.