The Kefir Solution: Natural Healing for IBS, Depression and Anxiety

by Shann Nix Jones

Heal your gut and heal your brain with recipes that harness the probiotic properties of kefir—your secret weapon for treating IBS, depression, and anxiety, the natural way. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in the world. People with IBS are prescribed more medications, miss more workdays, have lower work productivity, and higher suicide rates than people without it. Yet the causes are still unknown, and there is no cure. Or rather—there was no cure, until now. Cutting-edge scientific research has found that IBS is nearly always connected to anxiety and depression through something called the gut-brain axis. Heal the gut and you can heal the brain—and vice versa. Enter The Kefir Solution. Developed by Shann Nix Jones, it uses kefir, a powerful natural probiotic to support your microbiome and help heal IBS without the use of chemicals. It has no nasty side effects but loads of health benefits—including alleviating the anxiety and depression that often go hand in hand with IBS. Combining common sense with uncommon science, Shann shares stories, tips and recipes to help you on your way to better gut health and a happier life. If you suffer from IBS, or know someone who does, and it’s taken hold of your life, this book could lead you back to gut health and freedom.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2018

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish she had stuck to Kefir. The other info on dietary supplements are too "faith" based. Also the mind body stuff dilutes the power of the book.

[Lime · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of pseudoscience

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to kefir a few years ago, while on holidays in Greece. This fermented milk drink is not only rich in nutrients, such as protein, calcium and vitamins, but it also contains probiotics. These live micro-organisms (bacteria and yeasts), often described as 'good' or 'friendly' bacteria, can have various health benefits. For example, they may help sufferers with indigestion, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and (rather surprisingly) lactose intolerance.

Being a Psychiatrist, I was instantly hooked when I read the title of Shann Nix Jones’ book.

Could kefir also help with mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety?

During my career so far, I have learned about the interplay between physical and mental health. I have also learned about the complex interaction between biology and psychology. Common mental illnesses (such as depression and anxiety), as well as complex syndromes, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), exemplify this. It therefore makes sense how our diet, nutrition and eating habits can affect our mental health too. At the end of the day, the distinction between mind (mental health) and body (physical health) is a rather philosophical one, since the brain is part of the human body the same way that the heart or the gut are.

Despite my previous knowledge, reading the ‘Kefir Solution’ was one of those ‘light bulb’ moments. Informed by a number of recently published scientific studies, the author discusses the biology behind IBS and explores the links between the gut and mental health. Although some of these links are long established, this is still an under-researched area and new scientific evidence has come to light in the recent years. Even though she is not a doctor or a scientist, Shann Nix Jones provides some very useful insights into the role of nutrition in mental health. I actually felt enlightened reading about the microbiome (the micro-organisms inside the gut), the role of serotonin and tryptophan in gut health, and the role of probiotics and psychobiotics in gut, mental and overall health.

Another thing I really liked about this book is that it advocates a holistic approach in the management of IBS. The author describes five steps - drinking kefir is only one of them. She writes about the importance of fine-tuning to our feelings and emotions, improving our dietary habits and making a number of other lifestyle changes.

This holistic approach resonates with me. As a Psychiatrist, I have been trained in the use of the ‘biopsychosocial’ model or approach to the assessment and management of my patients. According to this model, mental illnesses (but also mental health difficulties) are rarely due to a single cause; mental illness usually develops through the complex interaction of biological (i.e. genes and chemical imbalances), psychological (i.e. personality and coping skills) and social factors (i.e. employment or financial problems). For this reason, the biopsychosocial approach is very helpful in the management of mental health difficulties and mental illness. In fact, I often advise my patients to pay particular attention to their lifestyle and biological factors (i.e. lack of sleep, lack of physical activity and non-nutritious diet) that may be contributing to their difficulties. Small improvement in these areas can have a big positive effect on their overall health and wellbeing.

Since I read the ‘Kefir Solution”, I have recommended it to some of my patients. Although I still don’t know how helpful they’ve found it, I believe it’s a book worthwhile reading whether you suffer from IBS, depression or anxiety, or you want to gain a better understanding of the complex interaction between nutrition and mental health, or you simply want to improve your eating habits.

[Matjaž Malešič · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preety good introduction on use of kefir in our diet.
Still some info is missing:
-more detailed introduction to home kefir making
-more detailed geography and history information on kefir
There are a lot of biochemical-science information which details why kefir is healthy, which is fine. But people would relate to book even more, if they would find other science related to topic. Even some more social science and statistics would be fine.
Book is also good marketing for CG firm, but could be even more with some more effort.

[Anna Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impulse bought this at the airport, and read it cover to cover in one sitting. I was super skeptical, since the author sells Kefir. But, she backs up her facts, cites scientific studies, explains mechanisms, and overall is a pleasant read. My only complaint is that the meal plan she provides is WAY too much food for most people, and buying the groceries she suggests would cost about $400/week. But, the ideas are still good, and they're presented well.

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read about kefir. This was mostly about poorly interpreted science about the microbiome and sugar.

[Madel · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF, ma solo messo in pausa