Probiotics for Crohn's & Colitis
by Peter Cartwright

There are two points to consider when reading this book. The first is that Crohn's disease; ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are all grouped together and termed by the author as being 'irritable bowel diseases'. The second is that his findings are based on a questionnaire sent out with his diet.

Probiotics are defined as having 'beneficial bacteria' and so by consuming products containing probiotic bacteria will have a beneficial effect on the flora and health of the gut. How probiotics work and how they can be of benefit in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the purpose of this book.

Topics covered include the history of probiotics, the relationship between IBD, bacteria and inflammation, probiotic use and evidence of benefit for IBD, and information on species and strains of probiotioc bacteria.

There are also two chapters on prebiotics. The book describes these as non-digestible food ingredients that provide nutrients allowing for beneficial bacteria in the gut to grow and increase in numbers. Other intestinal conditions that may benefit from probiotics are also included in the book.

Each chapter is well set out, with a summary of all the main points covered appearing at the end of each chapter. Questions and answers relating to the main points in the book and information on future developments are contained in the final chapter. An appendix to the book covers information on the body's defence systems and the issue of safety of probiotics. References and an index are also included.

This book provides all the information needed on probiotics having been drawn from a reliable source and put together in a comprehensive format yet easy to read form. Probiotics is a subject that is of increasing interest and the book probably marks a first in filling that void of information that existed prior to the publication's release. This book is highly recommended for anyone with IBD or pouchitis who is interested in probiotics and using this as a form of treatment.

Prentice Publishing, U.K.