IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - Fast Tract Digestion: Diet that Addresses the Root Cause, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) without Drugs or Antibiotics: Foreword by Dr. Michael Eades

After trying low-carb paleo, low-FODMAP paleo, and SCD/GAPS approaches with limited success, I found that a combination of their restrictions is often needed to completely avoid symptoms, and that some foods are avoided unnecessarily. Fast Tract Digestion presents the first approach I've seen that makes it easy to restrict all problematic (fermentable) foods without giving up anything extra. The idea of calculating "Fermentation Potential" based on a food's glycemic index is surprisingly simple, and while not perfectly accurate, it seems to be enough so for practical use as long as the GI of each food is available or can be estimated (along with net carbs, sugar alcohol and fiber levels). The book provides ample scientific background, simple yet crucial recommendations, tables listing FP values for hundreds of common foods and drinks, and two full weeks of low-FP recipes. It's almost guaranteed to help anyone struggling with IBS, GERD, or other SIBO-related conditions. Dr. Robillard has also been quick to respond to questions and comments on his website.As for downsides, the book largely fails to mention the potential for individual variation in tolerance to each category of problematic foods (other than lactose intolerance and, to a lesser extent, fructose intolerance)--which is significant because it can be helpful to eat more of the types you do tolerate, especially after a period of low-FP eating. It also does not attempt to guide readers with food sensitivities (which are common with SIBO and may contribute to its symptoms) other than gluten, nor those seeking to maximize gut healing and/or overall health--though his advice can be used in conjunction with such programs. The text suggests a few good paleo authors, but says paleo includes wild rice (I'll admit I'm nitpicking here), and provides a few questionable recommendations--particularly that of supplementing calcium, which tends to exacerbate magnesium deficiency among other issues. I don't see any basis for the cited claim that a low-FODMAP diet relies on professional administration--the Fast Tract Diet is essentially a low-FODMAP diet that also restricts fiber and resistant starches, but with a more practical, unified method for estimating their effective levels. Lastly, though the Kindle Edition can be read on mobile devices, it would be nice to have a companion app for checking and calculating FP on the go.

The author mentions in one of the chapters that complex motility issues caused by certain conditions are beyond the scope of this book. I have a few of those conditions, but following the Fast Tract Diet has nevertheless helped me more than anything I've tried before (different diets and medications such as antibiotics and prokinetics). After 2 months on the diet I'm not symptom free, but I feel better than I have in years. One of the things that I believe have contributed to the effectiveness of the diet is how versatile it is; I've found it surprisingly easy to customize to my own preferences. For example, as someone who needs to gain weight, it's been of great value to find out that I can eat some high carb foods without exacerbating symptoms.The first part of the book explains IBS/SIBO and the science behind why the diet works. There will be some repetition for those already familiar with SIBO, but even if so, it's interesting and refreshing to read about bacterial overgrowth from the perspective of a microbiologist. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter about antibiotics, for example, as well as the extensive explanation about different classes of hard to digest carbs.The second part of the book provides recipes and food tables with FP values.All in all an important and well written book. I think the FTD diet has the potential to help a lot of people suffering from gastrointestinal disorders to get better, without the use of drugs.

My own experience with IBS suggested that diet did not make any difference, but Robillard makes a compelling case for SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth) as the culprit. My IBS symptoms subsided after going on a low carbohydrate diet for weight loss. Robillard offers a guide to continuing to eat carbs while getting symptoms under control. Very useful to those recently diagnosed with IBS and not being helped much by the traditional medical profession. I literally spent years trying various diets and looking for answers, and there was nothing like this plan available then.