Book Review - GUT by Giulia Enders
So following on our theme of promoting good bowel health through knowledge, the GUTFIT team would love to bring your attention to a book we both think is a great resource.
The book is called GUT, a New York best seller. The author is Giulia Enders and published in 2015 by Scribe. We have a copy for you to look at in our waiting room at the clinic.
So who is Enders? A bowel specialist? A surgeon? A young woman who won the first prize at the 2014 Science Slam in Berlin? If you choose the third one you are right. She wrote this book, did a presentation on you tube, had her sister illustrate the book and then went onto win many awards for her book including International Book of the Year.
She is a German medic, microbiologist.
So why is it a book that you would like on your book shelf?
Enders wrote this book from her heart. After herself having a personal experience of ill health she decide to research the GUT and then had a desire to write her book to educate others.
It easy to read, unlike many books written on the bowel. Her vision) in writing the book was to explain to everyone why your gut is so very interesting!
It is comprehensive including so much information, but this interesting read is divided in clear concise ways so you can read the book from start to finish or just pick a chapter to read. If you love biological facts conveyed in a humorous, quirky way, then this is the book for you.
The included diagrams are fun and help visualize therefore remember what you have just read, a bonus!!
The books blurb states ‘ The inside story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ’ and Sue and I would absolutely agree with this statement. For instance did you know the surface area of our digestive system is around 100 times greater in size than the whole area of our skin? . Our skin as you may be aware is our body's biggest organ.
Been a former science student and budding award winning microbiologist she is able to research and bring together the pieces of information we need to know. There isn't a lot of unnecessary information which makes the book flow easily and you don't need a medical degree to read and learn from her writings.
She doesn't have any agenda behind her writing except to educate the reader.
The GUTS anatomy and physiology sections are well detailed and described making it easy to understand and lays the foundations for the rest of the information.
She details ways to help self manage such conditions as constipation. Her chapter on the nervous system of the gut is really good as is the chapter on the brain- gut link and something we all should understand better. Her chapter on food allergens is interesting and may support your understanding of any food sensitivities you experience. She includes a faeces chart to help you know what is normal appearance and consistency, this may or may not be of interest but should be!
She even includes with diagrams a rocking squat technique that can help you with constipation. She cites up to date research, for example a study by Japanese researchers detailed in the book concludes it is the best body position to open your bowels for elimination. If you aren't yet convinced of her merit as a writer and conveyer of information in a visual way then take note of her writing that passing of gas or burping “ are as delicate and complex as those of a ballerina”
If you want to know more about your body's immune system this book will help you understand and perhaps discover the important relationship the GUT has with your immune system functioning
There is a great chapter on GUT flora and the role our genetics and our race influences our microbiome.
Grab a copy and enjoy a great read that is entertaining and educates you as well.
To end this review we will hand it over to Enders who states “the more you know about your gut, the more beautiful it appears” grab a copy and learn so much about your GUT.
Here at GUTFT we promote good bowel management by using the modality of colonic hydrotherapy to support our clients in their individual health journeys.
We have so many different packages available to suit different health needs and budgets.
Visit our website www.gutfithealth..com.au or phone 9534. 6660 to speak to a colon Hydrotherapist.