Take Control of your IBS: The step-by-step guide that actually works

by Kirsten Jackson

The only book you need to understand and manage your IBS, written by consultant specialist IBS registered dietitian, Kirsten Jackson.

Take Control of Your IBS is the road-tested, practical guide that will change your life. Offering simple, fad-free professional advice, it will help you diagnose issues, bring comfort and reduce symptoms and flare-ups.

With so much misinformation out there for those of us with irritable bowel syndrome, it can be hard to know where to start. Drawing on scientific research and personal experience, consultant dietitian Kirsten Jackson guides you through each step.

By laying strong foundations in your mental well-being, sleep optimisation, movement and nutrition as well as finding the right treatment, you can get back to the things you enjoy in life.

· Find out how to get the right tests for your symptoms
· Learn the tried-and-tested process that has been used in practice with thousands of IBS sufferers
· Hear real-life experiences from people who have improved their lives

The good news is – it is possible to manage your IBS. This book shows you how.

Genres: Health, Science, Medicine, Nonfiction

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

Reviews

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

I thought this was a well written and comprehensive guide covering a wide variety of possible causes for symptoms as well as different ways to treat them.

[Natalie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book is the honesty, the fact that they admit they don't have a cure. However, they have plenty of information on what is happening in your body, and what can be done. That every body is different and we have to go easy on ourselves.
The chapters are long and detailed, but set in a way that can be skimmed with tidbits and summaries.
Highly recommend.

[Vicki P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful. This book looks at the whole person, not just diet.

[Karina Almanza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the info on how IBS can get confused of histamine intolerance and SIBO, as well as how to proceed with both.

All in all, pretty straightforward. I didn’t really like the dialogue at time and phrases that were in absolutes or vague references.

But 30% of the book at meal plans and citations so I would imagine it good information; just not dialogue I would use with clients.

[Zeynep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent! The take control foundations are essential for those of us with IBS but applicable and important for everyone. While I have likely had IBS since I was a teenager it wasn’t until starting my new job that I began having extreme flares that were severely impacting my life. I saw a GI doctor who diagnosed me with very little testing and sent me home with the low FODMAP diet. I did my best to adhere to the diet but with little support it was very challenging and though I initially saw an improvement in my symptoms it did very little to calm my gut overall. Two weeks ago I was at my breaking point, feeling like I didn’t know what was wrong with me and that my IBS was simply unmanageable. I read articles from other IBS dietitians and even took an online course but still felt very lost. It’s very easy for people with bad intentions to take advantage of the chronically ill who are desperate for answers. Then I picked up this book, and wow, I am so grateful it crossed my path. It is excellently written and organized. There are sections that outline the science of IBS and management options which for a nerdy nurse was a great bonus. After reading the first section of this book I started to realize just how many aspects of my life and habits were impacting my gut. For instance I had been taking magnesium nightly for sleep, only to learn it was a natural laxative and likely contributing to early morning symptoms. Similarly, I was starting my day with a fruit smoothie which I later learned can also trigger symptoms. While I thought I was doing great with my health as someone who eats lots of fruits and vegetables and exercises daily, this book made me realize my sleep was very irregular and likely a significant contributor to my over reactive gut. Similarly and perhaps most importantly, my lifelong struggle with chronic stress especially since starting a career as an NP. It’s been two weeks since I began to systematically address my foundations, and I’ve already seen an immense improvement. Garlic, which is a food I found induced symptoms and I had cut out completely, is something I can actually eat now. I had a pasta dish with lots of garlic and survived. This was all thanks to improving my sleep, beginning to meditate, and doing yoga. I’m still navigating this diagnosis and I am sure I will have future flares and struggles. But after reading this book I feel I have learned so much about the condition and my own ability to handle it. I’ve also realized how much my habits were triggering my gut.
I want to thank the author for her dedication to helping IBS sufferers, her incredible depth of knowledge, and her passion for this work. I will be recommending this book to all my patients with a confirmed IBS diagnosis.

[Gabbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Take Control of your IBS" was a really helpful, informative, and easy to understand guide to living with IBS. I would highly recommend that anyone who has IBS (or suspects that they do) read this book. I've read some other nonfiction books about IBS and they're pretty impersonal. I appreciated that Jackson shared her own IBS experiences and shared what worked for her. It can be disheartening to read a book about a medical condition where there's no anecdotes of people who successfully cope with their conditions.

To be totally honest, I did only skim the last two chapters (because I don't have either of those conditions) - but I read everything else. "Take Control" did tend to drag at times when explanations or definitions got longer and pretty dry, but it wasn't like it dragged enough that I stopped reading. I also noticed that there's a weird mix (to me) of medical terms alongside "silly" or colloquial terms. I could see "poo" and "tummy" in the same sentence as "inflammatory" or "Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75." Not a huge deal at all, just something I noticed and thought was funny and very mildly confusing.

I actually plan on buying my own copy of this eventually because it IS extremely helpful. I only rated 3 stars though because while I think it's useful and interesting, it's not something I loved. Despite the funny bits and graphs/tables/charts, "Take Control" really did drag at times with long bursts of just dense text. I've read other nonfiction books that were similarly data and content heavy where I didn't have to fight through passages. This is still a really good guide and self-help book though, so I don't want my review to deter anyone.

Date Read: 10/25/24 - 10/31/24

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take Control of Your IBS by Kristen Jackson is an insightful and empowering guide for anyone navigating the challenges of irritable bowel syndrome. With a blend of personal experience and expert advice, Jackson offers practical strategies that are both accessible and actionable, making this book a valuable resource for those seeking relief and understanding.

The author breaks down complex information about IBS into digestible sections, covering everything from dietary changes to stress management techniques. Her empathetic approach reassures readers that they are not alone in their struggles and provides them with the tools to take charge of their health. Jackson’s clear explanations of the condition help demystify IBS and encourage readers to advocate for themselves in their healthcare journeys.

One of the highlights of the book is the inclusion of meal plans and recipes tailored for IBS sufferers. These practical resources not only make it easier to implement dietary changes but also help alleviate the stress that often accompanies meal planning. Additionally, Jackson emphasizes the importance of mental health in managing IBS, highlighting the mind-body connection that is often overlooked.

Overall, Take Control of Your IBS is an essential read for anyone looking to understand and manage their condition effectively. Kristen Jackson’s compassionate and knowledgeable guidance empowers readers to embrace their health and make informed choices.

A sincere thank you to Kristan Jackson, NetGalley, and Bloomsbury USA for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Douglas Dougan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like so many people, I have suffered with IBS for years and tried everything. This book is a bit of a life-saver. Firstly the writer is a properly qualified dietician (and fellow sufferer herself) so everything comes from science, fact and evidence based, with no faddy nonsense. I really like the style of the writing too. While it is very science based, it is presented in a lovely, readable, accessible format. I am only half way through as I write this but already I have found some wonderful tips and tools - like the use of psyllium husk as a supplement to help the digestion. Importantly, Kirsten Jackson lays out everything you need to get a proper diagnosis - this will be invaluable when talking to a GP. Also the busting of some myths such as fasting as a relief from an IBS flair-up - I have been guilty of this myself but Kirsten tells us how this can actually do more harm than good. In all, this is going to be my go-to expert guide to hopefully conquer my long-term IBS. Highly recommended.

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a health professional who has IBS, this book gives you step by step approach to managing your IBS. She emphasizes both the importance of getting a diagnosis from a health professional to managing factors besides diet that contribute to gut problems. She covers taking control by payment attention to your mental health, sleep, and daily movement in addition to diet. She also stresses how important it is to enlist the help of health professionals in this journey (therapist, dietician specializing in IBS). She also looks at some issues that can act like IBS (SIBO, histamine intolerance).

I like her section on diet (low FODMAP), something I've been following for months to heal my gut. Her advice on starting the diet is good (recommends two apps I already rely on). And her details on how to reintroduce foods is very user friendly, i plan to follow what she suggests as I'm at that point in my journey.

It's a very thorough book without getting too deep in the weeds. Highly recommend especially for someone who is just starting out in trying to control their IBS.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rézina Dějová · Rating 4 out of 5]

IBS (dráždivý tračník) je diagnóza doslova k hovnu. Tahle kniha je návod, jak střeva dostat pod kontrolu a začít znovu normálně fungovat. Autorka neslibuje zázraky, ale způsob, jak (často po letech strádání a izolace) vzít život zpátky do svých rukou. Její styl je věcný, ale zároveň laskavý. Nedoporučuje žádné metody, které nejsou vědecky podložené a které tak často bují v podpůrných facebookových skupinách. Spíš před nimi důrazně varuje. Funkčnost jejího postupu zatím hodnotit nemůžu - tento proces totiž může v závislosti na situaci každého trvat i několik měsíců.

[Chloe Caine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently diagnosed with IBS and was at a complete loss as to where to start in terms of managing my symptoms but I was lucky to come across this book in my local Waterstones. It has completely changed my outlook on living with IBS and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain some clarity on not only what IBS is but how to start managing symptoms and continue living a normal life.

Thank you Kirsten Jackson for writing such an incredible, helpful book.

[Philippa Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone whose IBS trigger is anxiety, I REALLY wanted this to help. It promises lots of practical tips and there are several times when people are described and I thought "yes, that's me!"

But, other than saying I should get CBT, sleep better, exercise more and relax (gee, really?) there weren't any tips at all. If your IBS is triggered by food, it's probably more helpful.

[Debbie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for the opportunity to read this ARC. I found this book to be a very thorough description of IBS, with helpful suggestions for managing the symptoms.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read lots of books, online articles, listened to podcasts about IBS, and I still learned new information from this excellent book. The author is not only a dietician but a long-time sufferer of IBS as well, and she convincingly covers many areas that people should consider when it comes to their individual gut issues. The writing style is scientific but also very relatable. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Green Press for the ARC.

[Marissa Sharkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Unie Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great advise and knowledge. Helped me to look at problems from a professional perspective. Thank you Kirsten for writing this fantastic book.

[Lisha Doucet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of this book before my GI appt to talk about IBS or other issues. Very helpful. Much better information on implementing a low FODMAP diet than I got with my nutritionist.