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The Inside Tract: Your Good Gut Guide to Great Digestive Health

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More than 60 million Americans suffer from digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome. In The Inside Tract, a comprehensive plan for overcoming these common digestive ailments, you’ll learn how a simple regimen of dietary changes, supplements, and a 7-step lifestyle modification program can help heal intestinal problems and get you on track to vibrant health!

356 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2011

78 people are currently reading
406 people want to read

About the author

Gerard E. Mullin

17 books9 followers

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5 stars
82 (36%)
4 stars
91 (40%)
3 stars
43 (19%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Vicky.
923 reviews7 followers
June 15, 2013
I'm pretty sure my 4-year-old doesn't have the psychological/stress/lifestyle markers for digestive problems.
But, A lot of the dietary stuff makes sense. Altering a 4-year-old's diet sounds difficult, but it may be worth it.
Profile Image for Anne Stephenson.
46 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2014
My dietician suggested that I read this book for a more complete understanding of the digestive system and how my diet (based on track 3) will help minimize inflammation and get me on the path to healing.

The personal introduction to the book sets the stage quickly: this doctor knows first-hand the challenges and frustrations of medicine, particularly when it comes to practitioners treating the smoke, not the fire. The biology section covering the gastrointestinal superhighway made for an interesting read. The next two sections talk about nutrition and improving the quality of life (stress reduction included here)along with specific meal plans and recipes.

My only disappointed is the lack of specifics on certain products used in the recipes (such as vegetable powder, protein powder and 3-6-9 liquid in the smoothie). I also wish tract 3 had more recipe suggestions and some with imagination, but then, it's the most basic of all the tracks and not as inspiring. I'm working on it, however.

I have made the vegetable broth and used it as a base in the carrot/butternut soup for Thanksgiving which turned out excellent.

Overall, I recommend this book for a good place to understand the intricacies of the gastrointestinal system and some tools for its management.
Profile Image for Caroline Mathews.
160 reviews6 followers
July 6, 2012
Everyone should at least read Dr. Mullin's personal medical nightmare told at the onset of the book. These were not small-town or second rate practitioners. They were his friends, colleagues, and some of the best medical minds practicing today.

I'm using this book to help me take responsibility for my own health. I was delighted, after reading and rating my own digestive maladies, to see that I'm not really in very bad shape for my age.

I'm going to work on bolstering my immune system, mindful cooking and eating, and eliminating the foods that distress my inner tract. I'm looking forward to throwing out the Prilosec!

Often, I've distrusted Dr. Weil, Dr. Furman, and (Yes!Even and especially) darling Dr. Oz because they've become such media moguls. Dr. Mullin, like them, is preaching the same gospel. In my case, I love his plan of action!
Profile Image for Kristina.
60 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2018
5 stars for the great info about the digestive tract at the beginning of the book. Easy to “digest”. Ahem. 4 stars for figuring out which food track you should be on and how to navigate that. This is explained well but is too brief. More attention could have been placed on the actual diet plans with more recipes. I also have a problem, since this is essentially an elimination diet, that nightshades and citrus are not eliminated through any of the plans.

I have yet to try out the recipes - will update once I do. But, at a glance I can say that The Elimination Diet by Tom Malterre is a great book for going through the whole process of elimination with detailed info on what and when to introduce along with many delicious recipes.

This book, in contrast, presents more detailed info about our “inside tract” which is helpful and needed, but lacks in the actual diet portion.
Profile Image for Jo.
423 reviews17 followers
March 31, 2012
If you're having gut problems, get this book! The authors, Kathie Madonna Swift, MS, RD, a nationally-renowned integrative and functional medicine dietitian, and Gerard Mullin, MD, Director of Integrative GI Services at Johns Hopkins, cover the topic of healing the gut with thoroughness and compassion. The steps for healing are clearly laid out, from assessment to prescriptions for improving diet, reducing stress, and reviving connections with family and spiritual practice. The many case studies provide both information and hope. The food charts and recipes simplify the process and pave the way to success in the kitchen. Especially for people who have struggled with chronic digestive issues, this book is a blessing.
Profile Image for Samantha.
136 reviews
March 12, 2016
Excellent book! highly recommend for anyone with any sort of gut issues or chronic illness. I have long been into natural health, eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. Despite reading a lot of health books over the years, I discovered that I really didn't know a lot about gut health. This book remedied that. Its a must have for my library....amazon.com here I come!
Profile Image for Beth Nicholson.
29 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2020
Great book for anyone with or has a loved one with digestive issues.
Profile Image for Jacob Roberts.
235 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2020
Will update once I try out the tracks, but I’m pretty optimistic. Very easy to understand and lots of suggestions other than simply dietary. Fingers crossed.
Profile Image for Dawn.
38 reviews10 followers
March 10, 2021
Some basic biology of the GI system and a guide to better gut health. Lots of recipes.
Profile Image for Tia.
117 reviews
January 2, 2025
This book is a must-read, right up there with Why We Sleep. It offers a clear and easy-to-understand look at the digestive system. After sleep, diet is probably the biggest influence on how we feel, and this book helps you really understand why.
10 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2012
A great overview of how your digestive system works. This book offers solutions for those suffering from reflux, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. Swift and Mullin offer a great deal of science in an easy-to-read format.
Profile Image for Jess Macallan.
Author 3 books111 followers
July 12, 2016
4.5 stars. My only issue with this book is the recommendation to use soy products. Otherwise this is a great book for anyone who needs to heal their gut. I will recommend this to my nutrition clients.
Profile Image for Jamie Holloway.
566 reviews27 followers
September 15, 2011
The fact that I will be having to make some major life changes doesn't mean this book doesn't have any great ideas.
Profile Image for Chris.
4 reviews
May 10, 2012
I just read the first three chapters, but I learned so much from it. So glad I stumbled across this book.
5 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2012
great recipes here along with an excellent holistic view of digestion.

Profile Image for Persis Hope.
3 reviews
November 10, 2013
This is a must read for anyone with digestive problems, informative and full of good information.
Profile Image for Peg.
Author 5 books3 followers
May 4, 2014
Good information, but once again the diet is contradictory to others for gastro healing. Can't there be a consensus? Frustrating.
Profile Image for Badri.
78 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2015
heavy on anecdotes and light on science. but seems free of ideology or commercial motive. skip all the stories and a quick read of the material can be of real help in understanding gut issues.
48 reviews6 followers
January 3, 2016
this book is great for DIY gut repair. great beginner's foray into elimination dieting as well.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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