Controlling Crohn's Disease: The Natural Way

by Virginia Harper

Drawn from the author's own experiences with Crohn's disease, an incurable inflammatory bowel disorder, a revolutionary guide provides an effective natural treatment program, comprised of simple changes in diet and lifestyle, that will help to overcome this painful disease. Original.

Genres: Health

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I am a believer that food can reduce symptoms of many diseases and that the American diet is the reason for so many of the chronic illnesses that seem to keep springing up. I was excited when I found this book and was hoping that it would have some great insights. However, this book lacked any valid science and was filled with many exaggerations of the truth that made it hard to believe her. (Note: if your non-fiction book contains incorrect scientific explanations in the first chapter, it’s hard to believe anything else the author says).

I found Virginia’s tone hard to tolerate in many parts of the book. She seemed to lack common sense and maturity during most of her reflections. For example, when she started to feel better, she brought stacks of books about her diet to her doctor and couldn’t understand why he wasn’t putting all his patients on this diet. Hmm, I can’t understand why the entire medical field didn’t change their ways based on one person. However, I can’t deny that I have felt the way she felt at many times and her story was similar to mine in many aspects, and had universal themes for everyone suffering from Crohn’s Disease. One such passage when she really accurately described IBD is: “Crohn’s disease is such a lonely illness. It isolates you from other people, because it forces you to become preoccupied with yourself – or more accurately, your intestines – and prevents you from participating in so many social events.”

One of the problems with the diet is that you would have to take supplements or fortified soy products; there are not really any sources of vitamin B12, unless you’re going to eat insane amounts of seaweed. Virginia criticizes supplements and never addresses that you might not be getting everything from this diet. Another problem is that she suggests corn as food for curing Crohn’s. In my opinion, I’m pretty sure that is an oxymoron and a hospitalization waiting to happen. She did write a warning to take it slow, but still, most normal healthy people aren’t that great at digesting corn, so it’s a general consensus (even among doctors who say diet has no effect on IBD) to stay far away from it. She does mention grinding and soaking foods like corn that are hard on the intestines, but honestly, it sounds more appealing to just not eat.

On another note, I looked into her website after reading the book. During the book she spoke of a spiritual journey and how healing it is to help others. I am not sure that paying a couple hundred dollars for a phone call (“consultation”) justifies as helping others.

I can’t say that I didn’t take anything away from this book, it was interesting to read about her diet and I will probably try out some of her recipes and cooking techniques. As someone who already eats a mostly vegetarian and non-processed diet, I didn’t disagree with a lot of the things she said. It just concerns me that she claims it’s an absolute cure. Overall, it was a decent read, but it wasn’t the kind of book you can take too seriously.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after a nutritionist suggested it. I have to say I wasn't sure it was a good idea since he told me that macrobiotics has very strict rules and once you've started this journey you can never taste anything else without risking blowing the whole thing up.
Needless to say I loved this book and I'm thinking that maybe this might actually work for me since I've been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis more than fifteen years ago and nothing I've tried has worked perfectly since then.
I think this book should also be read by doctors and I truly deeply hope that one day they will do their best to integrate science with natural remedies and different cultures of healers. They need to understand that most of us want to live free of daily medications and don't like the idea of undergoing surgery that doesn't guarantee complete healing.

[Phil · Rating 1 out of 5]

I empathize with the author and the difficulties she has faced. It makes for an interesting life story, however this book was a long anecdote that can do little to help others with CD. Her path to her new life philosophy and diet worked for her and I'm glad for her - yet the lessons learned don't necessarily apply to others. In some ways I think it would hurt others (if you have CD, are on multiple drugs - go to the hospital not a herbalist's house).

I also found it especially interesting that she would cover life-altering events in a sentence or two, then spend a few pages on relaying thoughts on Southern cooking.

[Alishia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, but some thing that bothered me a little is the idea that macrobiotics is some kind of miracle and you can heal yourself with positive thinking and the right foods. Im glad that she pointed out that medications should also be considered and that the diet alone may not be enough. I think if doctors could incorporate these foods and their preparations and some of the other positive mind frame techniques, it could benefit a lot of people (those who have the patience and discipline to follow them). I'm going to try the foods and the way of life practices that she suggests (which are based on Michio Kushi's macrobiotic practice) because I want to avoid some of the really strong drugs and surgical options for ulcerative collitis. Ultimately, I'm left with both a feeling of hope and a trust the my body has the ability to heal itself; but, also if I don't heal it's my fault because I didn't follow these guidelines correctly.

[Ivan Zullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I would have to choose only one word to describe the author, it would be determined.
Virginia Harper opens up her heart and tell us ups and downs of her complicated journey.
She experienced so many things: illness, recovery, sadness and finally joy for embracing the solution for her problems.
In this book, she offer her story, how she succeeded in overcoming Crohn's disease and she does something more important for others suffering inflamatory bowel di sorde (IBD), Virginia explain that an healing process is available for everyone.
From macrobiotics to very small changes in daily routine, an health path to recovery is at your fingertips.
Virginia Harper is a great person, I strongly recommend her book to IBD sufferings.

[Andy Carrington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mis-marketed a bit as a "how-to" guide.

There's a lot of speculation here (Crohn's Disease has no cure after all); and this is more of a personal tale than anything to do with Science.

Useful, in some respect. Diet is definitely the main issue that is been focused on.

I experimented a bit with some of the foods mentioned. Some of them helped / a lot of them didn't.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for recipes and ideas so I could cook something my daughter in law could eat. After reading this it helped my understand the disease better. Some parts of the book were a little off the wall with talks of Yin and Yang but if it helps go for it!

[Janet Elsbach]

Macrobiotics or bust. Her story of personal healing, told at length, with recipes and guidelines at the end.