Cure Constipation Now: A Doctor's Fiber Therapy to Cleanse and Heal

I have not gone through this regime, which weakens my review and makes it hard to know how many stars to give it. However, I have carefully studied the book and have some concerns.My constipation problem includes having to strain to have BMs, sometimes whether the stools are well formed and soft or not. At times I have had to strain a great deal.A major cause of my problem has been not drinking enough water. Almost any book or web source related to constipation seems to stress two things: fiber and water. A serious lack of Jones’ book is that he almost totally ignores water. His only reference to it is to say “drink extra liquids” with fiber (pp.89-90). (He does not even point out that if you don’t drink enough water with fiber, the fiber can contribute to constipation. Or that not taking enough water with an osmotic laxative can cause gas.) To essentially ignore this significant factor is almost criminal.Another cause of my straining probably relates to weak abdominal muscles, a subject the author does not address at all.(While it does not lay out a fiber regime, Freedom from Constipation, by naturopathic doctor Christopher Vasey, gives a much more comprehensive approach to constipation. It is the best overall book on the subject that I have seen.)Jones’ approach is to have readers use laxatives while they very gradually increase their fiber intake, progressing from fiber supplements that have a synthetic quality (or have been modified in some way) to fiber sources that are more natural. The whole process takes place over months, and he encourages reliance on fiber supplements (and fiber cereals, etc.) for the rest of one’s life.I would have liked more of an explanation about the need to progress from synthetic to natural fiber. He simply writes, “These synthetic fiber products are artificial. That gives them [an advantage]…because the bacterial flora in your large intestine cannot recognize and ferment these synthetic fiber products as easily. But this phenomenon is only temporary” (p.66).He makes it very clear that his approach is based on insoluble rather than soluble fiber. When a woman tells him she eats lots of salads, he replies, “Salad does not contain the right type of fiber needed to keep your bowels healthy….You want insoluble fiber” (p.30). He even writes, “I am surprised that fiber laxatives on the market often contain soluble fiber as their principal active ingredient” (p.31). Yet after I ordered one of his recommended fiber sources for the first part of his program, Benefiber, I was stunned to see that its fiber content is entirely soluble! (Benefiber is one of three options he offers. The other two are EZ Fiber and Citrucel. EZ Fiber is also a soluble fiber.) Later in his program, he brings in the option of psyllium via Konsyl and Metamucil. Three of the 5g of fiber in a dose of Konsyl are soluble and 5 of the 6g of fiber in a dose of Metamucil are soluble. This inconsistency related to a basic tenant of his approach is very strange. It causes me to question the validity of what he is teaching.His considerable emphasis on insoluble fiber (in theory if not in practice) is almost at the expense of eating a balanced diet. He does tell people to eat normally in the beginning, in addition to the added fiber and laxatives, and he acknowledges that soluble fiber has some benefits such as lowering cholesterol level, but that is about it. Other experts seem to encourage taking both types of fiber and eating fruits and veggies along with better fiber sources. Is Jones wrong in not doing this?I was also surprised at how gradual his introduction of fiber is, even though I know you are supposed to build up to it. With Benefiber he starts you with only about 3g fiber a day. I get more than that in a sandwich with wholegrain bread. (Suprisingly, Benefiber’s daily recommended dose for adults has only 6g.) In general, he cautions against taking too little fiber (or too much) and getting discouraged. (pp.48-49) And he does note that if someone already has fiber in their diet they can skip his “Step 2.” (p.68) But I am not sure everyone needs to go through Step 1 so slowly.The author’s procedure is explained pretty well, and he provides a lot of helpful and valuable information, but the book suffers with a great deal of repetition. This can be frustrating.I like that he tries to treat the cause of the problem rather than symptoms, and that he does not encourage the use of laxatives that tend to develop dependency.From the author’s testimonies and the book’s reviews, numerous people have benefited from his approach. While I think it is oriented to people with more serious constipation problems than I have, apparently his approach has merit, in spite of my concerns.

I'm going to display the fiber program below, but here was my experience with it. Before reading the review, note that I have used the Sugar-Free Citrucel (in powder form) as well as both the mint and original-flavored Milk of Magnesia produced by Phillips. Alright, here's the thing, I've been blessed by God to have this book offer me some recommendations that have given me some relief with my ailments. I've had gas reduced, abdominal pain reduced, the odor of my stools too were reduced in the bathroom, and there were days where I'd go without taking my Zantac pill for acid reflux. So then why only 3 stars? Because, I might have to start all over and go back to week 1, which I'm frustrated about. First of all, like I had stated before, I had been blessed to have some of my ailments reduced in severity; what was not happening though was that I was not completely passing my stools out, and so like many Americans, my stool was incomplete. I was confident that Citrucel was not going to be effective for me because I had previously used the product as a substitute to the gas-heavy Metamucil. So holding little faith that Citrucel was going to be effective for me, I felt that I should have taken the highest recommended dose, even though I did not. I wanted to follow the program and gradually increase my dosage of the Citrucel fiber product. But aside from not being able to completely pass my stools, I've carried out this program for about 6-7 weeks now and at about the 3-4 week, my stool went from being the shape of a cucumber (which is what it is supposed to look like) to being a stool in liquid form (diarrhea). I drank a bottle of Pepto Bismol (not all at once) down, and it was not as effective as I had hoped. So from the 3-4 week on to the 6-7 week, I'd have regular diarrhea outputs. It was difficult to measure (in my mind) whether or not I was putting out Wes Jones' daily recommendation of stool output because of the diarrhea. Living with constant diarrhea was discouraging because I was fortunate enough not to have it happen that often in my life, but once I was on this program, that changed. After that I went back to Metamucil, where I'm having better bowel habits, but A LOT of gas (which Metamucil is known for due to the psyllium husk content). That is where I am frustratingly at now.Here is what Step 1 of Wes Jones' fiber therapy program looks like:Week 1- Start with 1/2 tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Start with 1 Benefiber caplet or 1 Citrucel capsule TWICE daily.Week 2- Take 3/4 tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 2 Benefiber caplets or 2 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily.Week 3- Take 1 tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 3 Benefiber caplets or 3 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily.Week 4- Take 1 slightly rounded tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 4 Benefiber caplets or 4 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily.Weeks 5 and 6- Take 1 heaping tablespoon of Benefiber, Citrucel (sugar free) or EZ fiber TWICE daily, OR Take 5 Benefiber caplets or 5 Citrucel capsules TWICE daily, and if you are on Citrucel capsules, then during Week 6 you should plan to take 6 capsules TWICE daily.There are 3 Steps in the fiber therapy program (Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3). Step 1 is the introduction of the program, and if you are successful with it (have absolutely NO gas and NO bathroom odor and you are maintaining the recommended amount of footlong stools, then you are able to move onto Step 2).I haven't read the entire book, but if you guys want to know more, comment and I'll try to be accommodating. I'll surely update my positive and/or negative experience(s) with this book and the fiber therapy program outlined by Wes Jones as time passes by.

Wes Jones reminds me of a down-to-earth country doctor with whom one can relate and feel comfortable in trusting his knowledge, experience, and expertise. For me, his protocol in regaining control of ones elimination habits seemed a bit confusing in that there is a plan, but if it doesn't work then back up and "Do this......". No doubt it must be that way in real life and if one could actually sit down with him, a paper and pencil, it would be easier to understand . It could be that the bit of confusion rests with me rather than his writing style. One would have to find that out for themselves. BUT, nonetheless, I did gain directions which has served to help me be confident in now acquiring some success in this matter.My problem has been chronic for years and had become worse as of late until I bought this book on Amazon and learned that I truly did need some added fiber and was comforted that gentle laxatives could help the integrity of the colon and sphincter muscle tone. [I did read some contraindications regarding Miralax which one may want to investigate for themselves. It does help, but it may have some drawbacks if relying solely on it for a long length of time.]Mr. Jones gives alternatives for whatever product he recommends. He highly recommended a bread called FIBER FIVE by Great Harvest Bread Co. Unfortunately, here in OKlahoma City, OK , I was unable to find any store that carried this product. I never came across any recommendation for the amount of water or acceptable liquids one should consume when taking fiber or a recommended total daily amount. But the family physician stated that one should drink 30-60 oz. per day, especially when one is taking fiber. Best wishes to all who struggle with bowel troubles.

I AM STILL READING THIS INTERESTING BOOK AS IT HAS ALL DIFF SYMPTOMS THAT CAN BE AIDED BY THE FIBRE DIET.AN EYE OPENER THAT SHOWS YOU DONT HAVE TO BE STUCK ON MEDICINES