For the average consumer the probiotic marketplace can be tough to negotiate. What’s real, what works and how do probiotics do what they do. If you’re looking for a remarkably well-written primer on probiotics be sure to check out The Probiotics Revolution - The Definitive Guide to Safe, Natural Health Solutions Using Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods and Supplements (Bantam 2008) by Dr. Gary Huffnagle and Sarah Wernick.
The Probiotics Revolution does a great job of taking complicated gut immunology and simplifying it for the average reader. This book will please the patient looking for guidance on bugs and dosing as well as the doctors and providers looking for a basic evidence-based approach to this evolving corner of complementary medicine. And they name names – products and doses, even for kids. Dr. Huffnagle also offers the story of his personal probiotic epiphany which makes the whole book believable and approachable.
I recommend this book at all probiotic presentations I give as well as to parents looking be thoroughly educated in the use of probiotics. And if you’re still curious at the end you can dig up the original articles that are referenced throughout the book.