annieb123
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The GutSMART Protocol is a tutorial guide and nutritional program developed and promoted by Dr. Vincent Pedre. Due out 4th April 2023 from BenBella Books, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is an accessible and enthusiastically written guide to supporting and building a healthy gut biome and promoting gut health with the aim of positive follow on benefits to general wellness and organ system health throughout the body. There's convincing peer reviewed research to show the direct correlation between gut health and general health and this guide aims to help readers improve their diet and support their digestive system.
The science is fairly clear at this point. The microbiome of the digestive system has a profound effect on overall physical and even mental health. Supporting good health requires a healthy and varied diet as well as rest and hydration.
The book is well laid out with an introduction and theory behind the science of gut health, a quiz and quick start 2 week plain that readers can tailor to their particular situation and gut wellness, meal plans, recipes, and supportive processes to provide more overall benefits. The science is solid and well annotated here with links for further reading.
I found the ruthless positivity throughout wearing after a while. The author's website and publications are full of glossy wellness therapy sound bites and some of the allied therapies he recommends are still questioned in the mainstream medical and scientific communities. There are lots and lots (and lots) of extra add-ons and giveaways throughout the book and on his website as well as promotion of his own products. The book comes across as a populist media "sensation".
Four stars. There are unquestionably valuable takeaways here. Readers should use common sense deciding what parts of the book to use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.