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

Having had increasingly troublesome digestive symptoms for four years, I have taken steps which will be familiar to many. After testing to rule out "serious" things, I have tried fibre supplements, a low FODMAP diet, hypnotism (using an app), probiotic supplements. When none of these worked in a lasting way, I thought I would try this book.The book starts on a positive note by telling us some good news (you may not need to cut out gluten or dairy!) and then recites the "things you will have already tried," including most of mine in the list above. It then makes the bold claim that this book will be the last thing you need to try. I took encouragement from this and the fact that the author is not simply a detached specialist, but has a history of IBS herself.The book makes the case that IBS is "multifactorial," being linked to mental state (including stress and sleep) and physical factors (including exercise) as well as diet/nutrition. As such, there is a substantial opening section, "laying the foundations," which addresses all of these factors and sets out good practice in each area. This is really to optimise your situation, ahead of any more dramatic steps such as the low FODMAP diet.The next section gets into the low FODMAP diet and how to implement it, in a way that is extremely clear and provides welcome hand-holding, while not losing sight of the "foundations" and the factors other than diet/nutrition. As with the opening four chapters, there is optimism: you are probably not sensitive to all FODMAPs and the tightly restricted diet should be temporary. The endgame is to produce a diet tailored for you, with some manageable adjustments, leaving you with as much freedom and latitude as possible (retaining the ability to eat out, socialise, etc) and a better understanding of what has caused a flare-up when one does happen.What was my own experience, following the guidance in the book? I started to lay the foundations, using chapters 1-4. With much of it (exercise, sleep, stress) I was already in good shape. However, with two key aspects, I was not. On reading these chapters I realised that there was not *nearly* enough fibre in my daily diet, nor enough fluid intake. The requirements for both are higher than one might think, and there should be plenty of each with every meal.So I implemented these simple changes, in readiness to get into the low FODMAP diet to follow. However, I never got to the low FODMAP stage (which I had in any case tried 18 months earlier, to little effect). Over the course of a week, my symptoms of four years went away. All of them rectified themselves, in parallel. In fact, this is a possibility predicted by the author in the first four chapters. You might not need low FODMAP at all!Everyone is different and people's requirements differ (another important lesson about the gut!). However, if you are having digestive issues, you definitely owe it to yourself to give this book a shot. It could be life-changing.

What an amazing read and finally some answers and effective ways to manage my IBS after years of suffering. This book is amazing for breaking down all my symptoms and giving me an easy to follow approach to targeting what my triggers are and how to make the right food choices - without limiting my diet unnecessarily. I love the easy to read writing style and even example meal plans to follow to get started. 10/10 recommend!

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.

Kirsten Jackson tells us bravely about her own journey struggling through digestive symptoms, mental health, coeliac disease and ibs.She guides you through a science-based systematic approach to take control of your ibs identifing your own true dietary triggers, the importance of sleep and mental well being. and much more. All of this results in you being able to form your own ibs management plan.She tells us there is no cure as yet for ibs but by applying the protcol outlined in this book you will to be able to control your symptoms, identify triggers, the reasons for a flare up and best of all know what to do about it so you can live life to the full.The Take Control approach improved my life within just a few weeks. I am very thankful to Kirsten Jackson and highly recommend this book.

Such a fantastic book with backed up, science-based info. No mis/disinformation. Thought I knew everything there was to know about IBS after having it for 10 years, but this wasn't true. Following the advice, my stomach is in the best place it has been in all this time. It really is an IBS bible and deserves all the credit :) I also like that it’s not really strict/down-your-throat advice, as someone with an ED past who can’t afford to get obsessive over food.

Clear format with easy to understand information without making false promises.

I consulted Kirsten several years ago because of IBS. I went from total fatigue and illness to fighting fit ! The book is packed solid with her expertise backed by science . It's so hard with the internet flooded with so called experts to distinguish the good from the bad ( or even dangerous) but this is the real thing. So buy it, read it, and take action with confidence.An additional comment in January 2025 .....I bought this book in October 2024 . Since picking up some extra ideas to try from the book I have had three months of being completely symptom free with no relapses.

Like so many people I have struggled with IBS for years now . Never really understanding how to control it . This book just makes sense . So let’s see now if it works