Perfect Digestion: The Key to Balanced Living

"Contrary to the title, and what other reviewers have said, this book spends an inordinate amount of time talking about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). There's also a discussion about healthy eating in general. However, it's unclear how many of the suggestions even derive from ayurvedic practice, as opposed to just being Chopra's opinions. In any case, there are plenty of Western books about general healthy eating.

The book spends very little time on any other digestive issues. If you have a serious problem such as Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, you're not going to get much useful information here.

My biggest complaint is that a majority of the book is just a condensed version of Perfect Health. In order to crank out a lot of books quickly, Chopra just rehashes the same information in each book in the series. But since it's an abbreviated version of what's in Perfect Health, it doesn't even stand well on its own.

If you have IBS, then this might be worth reading. Otherwise, it's a waste of time."
~ Written on 2007-12-02

"Very educational. We need to learn in the west about healthy eating habits, it's important not just what we it but how we eat and how our emotions affect our digestion. It teaches how the cells, organs and other systems in the body are affected by a healthy or a poor digestion system. I've changed some of my habits and already can see and feel the difference. It feels good!!"
~ Written on 2007-02-07

"I always enjoy reading Chopra and this book is no exception - the fact my digestion is far from perfect contributed to a particular interest in this topic! In Ayurvedic medicine, most diseases originate as an imbalance in the digestive system based on the principle that the constant renewal of every part of the human physiology is dependent on proper digestive functioning. Ayurveda views digestion as the body's means of extracting intelligence from food and then processing it to support the intelligence inherent in the entire human physiology. Gives new meaning the words "junk food", doesn't it?

Once again, advice is given according to dosha type (see above review for a more in depth discussion of doshas) and numerous suggestions are made for improving digestive health. It is important to note that this book is not written for someone suffering from a specific digestive illness - it is rather meant to improve overall digestion, and as a result health, for the average person who just needs a gastrointestinal tune-up. The holistic nature of the suggestions would have far-reaching mind/body impacts for anyone's well being so this small book belongs in everyone's personal library."
~ Written on 2000-07-01

"I have gastroparesis (partial paralysis of the stomach) and this book had many lessons I have already learned from living with this condition and offerred many more insights into alternative ways of looking at digestive process and the way we should eat that will help us be healthier. I've already tried the "hot water" tip and found it to be helpful! Looking forward to working on the rest of what I learned in the book and hoping to see more improvements. Have hope now that I didn't have before reading this book."
~ Written on 2000-04-17

"A must read for anyone with any digestive complaint. It puts the responsibility of perfect digestion where it should be: on you. Not on pills or doctors. Easy to read and follow, I was very excited to find an easy way of eating and living that makes me healthy, starting at the gut level, something my doctor couldn't seem to help me with. It really is up to you."
~ Written on 2000-01-13