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Fiber Menace: The Truth About The Leading Role Of Fiber In Diet Failure, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Etc.
Fiber Menace is for people who believe fiber prevents cancers, reduces the risk of heart disease, regulates blood sugar, wards off diabetes, lowers appetite, induces weight loss, cleanses the colon, and eliminates constipation.Tragically, none of it is true, and Fiber Menace explains why it’s the complete opposite. Most of those findings have been well known and widely publicized even before Fiber Menace’s release. Here are some of the most striking — Fiber doesn’t ward off colon cancer, according to the Harvard School of Public “For years, Americans have been told to consume a high-fiber diet to lower the risk of colon cancer […] Larger and better-designed studies have failed to show a link between fiber and colon cancer.” Scores of other studies, cited in Fiber Menace, have demonstrated that fiber increases the risk of colon cancer. (p. 181)— Fiber doesn’t prevent breast cancer either, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, it’s the complete “Carbohydrate intake was positively associated with breast cancer risk.” Fiber happens to be a carbohydrate too, and carbohydrates are the only food that contains fiber. (p. 183)— Fiber doesn’t reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart “A fiber supplement added to a diet otherwise high in saturated fat and cholesterol provides dubious cardiovascular advantage.” Furthermore, these supplements caused “reduced mineral absorption and a myriad of gastrointestinal disturbances” — factors that in fact, contribute to heart disease. (p. 41)— Fiber doesn’t counteract diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public “Fiber intake has also been linked with the metabolic syndrome, a constellation of factors that increases the chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.” Truth is, fiber requires more insulin or drugs to control blood sugar, and makes diabetes even more devastating. (p. 2
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First published October 15, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 4, 2015
This book is downright irresponsible, to the point of being potentially dangerous! 90% of the content in this book is presented as medical fact, without reference to any actual scientific studies. Many of the facts are just plain WRONG, which should really tip you off that this is a bunch of BS. While he does mention a few things that do make sense (some actually backed up by research, others theories of his own - though you'd never know it because it's presented as gospel), but overall this is a book that preys on the gullible that accept his teachings without doing any other research. It also stands to mention that Monastyrsky doesn't even have any medical or nutritional training! He received a Soviet pharm degree (which is essentially chemistry) 4 decades ago, and that's the closest he gets to the medical field. DO NOT take his advice - go look for real research from actual doctors and scientists!!
April 23, 2015
This book just might be the thing that saves my life! At first I had a hard time to believe what this guy was saying but I've found other books and articles that substantiate his claims, that fiber is NOT the saving grace for digestive disorders.Personal experience is bearing this out.
A corroborative article can be found here http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic...
A corroborative article can be found here http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic...
March 4, 2017
I started eating a low-fiber diet after reading a few chapters of this book and already I feel the benefits.
January 2, 2019
If Only I Had Known
If only I had known the information in this book in high school...maybe I would not have suffered so 4 decades with what doctors called idiopathic IBS. This is a must read for anyone with gut issues.
If only I had known the information in this book in high school...maybe I would not have suffered so 4 decades with what doctors called idiopathic IBS. This is a must read for anyone with gut issues.
December 9, 2019
Всяко стадо си има мършата, всяка идеология има своите откачалници и в случая, всеки начин на хранене и живот има хората, които го приемат твърде навътре и почват да си измислят какво ли не в тази насока.
Така идеята за палео-хранене и начин на живот е, че хората не са еволюционно приспособени да се хранят основно със зърнени храни, захар и техните производни и е добре да ги избягваме, за да сме по-здрави и щастливи.
И така, разбира се, се е намерил някакъв хахо, който не само да смята фибрите за отровни, а пиенето на вода за заговор на медицинската мафия, но и да напише книга за това. Ще ми се да преувеличавах.
Така идеята за палео-хранене и начин на живот е, че хората не са еволюционно приспособени да се хранят основно със зърнени храни, захар и техните производни и е добре да ги избягваме, за да сме по-здрави и щастливи.
И така, разбира се, се е намерил някакъв хахо, който не само да смята фибрите за отровни, а пиенето на вода за заговор на медицинската мафия, но и да напише книга за това. Ще ми се да преувеличавах.
February 6, 2014
Ok. Let's stipulate up front that I have a GI problem. I can't evacuate as I would like to--it is challenging and sometimes painful. Everything I have ever read has advised to increase fiber, and drink more water.
As you may have surmised from the title of this work, this advice the author does NOT share. In a nutshell, be believes that fiber enlarges the stool, especially when it has absorbed excess water; and that enlarged mass does NOT fit well through the human digestive system (especially the anal canal), thus causing straining and constipation. If not remedied, this condition will lead to bleeding fissures and hemorrhoids, enlarged colons, IBS, and worse.
The answer is simple but hard: Eat much less fiber, and drink only when you are thirsty. Sounds eminently sensible when you read his compelling and graphic arguments. Although the transition to low fiber is a bit tricky especially if we are used to high fiber; it seems like the way to go!.
He outlines the pitfalls of other treatments e.g. the many types of laxatives. (He is a pharmacist, btw). His thesis makes me want to seriously try his simple method. But I am afraid that since he is virtual lone voice crying in the wilderness, that I may get myself into even greater discomfort. I am still thinking about it.
I gave it three stars for fear it is quackery. If he turns out to be right, its definitely a 5-star.
As you may have surmised from the title of this work, this advice the author does NOT share. In a nutshell, be believes that fiber enlarges the stool, especially when it has absorbed excess water; and that enlarged mass does NOT fit well through the human digestive system (especially the anal canal), thus causing straining and constipation. If not remedied, this condition will lead to bleeding fissures and hemorrhoids, enlarged colons, IBS, and worse.
The answer is simple but hard: Eat much less fiber, and drink only when you are thirsty. Sounds eminently sensible when you read his compelling and graphic arguments. Although the transition to low fiber is a bit tricky especially if we are used to high fiber; it seems like the way to go!.
He outlines the pitfalls of other treatments e.g. the many types of laxatives. (He is a pharmacist, btw). His thesis makes me want to seriously try his simple method. But I am afraid that since he is virtual lone voice crying in the wilderness, that I may get myself into even greater discomfort. I am still thinking about it.
I gave it three stars for fear it is quackery. If he turns out to be right, its definitely a 5-star.
February 7, 2021
Fantastic eye opener! Unfortunately I'd already experienced the harm of fiber before reading the book, but the content confirmed it for me. It all made perfect sense. I'd already learned from other sources that fiber was unnecessary, and then I came across this book, and realised that not only is it unnecessary, it's downright harmful! I think there are those that will find this claim irresponsible due to brainwashing and cognitive dissonance which is completely understandable. Not one to ever just rely on few sources of information, I continued to learn more about fiber and found medical doctors such as Paul Saladino MD, Sean Baker MD, Ken Berry MD, Paul Mason MD, Bart Kay (nutrition scientist) who backed up what the author is saying. So for those of you who are still questioning the validity of the information in the book I'd suggest undertaking further research. The medical/science professionals I've mentioned all have presentations on the subject on YouTube, and if you only look up one, I'd look up Dr Paul Mason.
May 29, 2020
Great book
This book has helped me so much in understanding why vegetables don’t like me. I knew I has ibs, didn’t eat wheat products, no sugar, drank lactose free milk. Still I has loose bowel movements, for ever, every day, sooo upsetting for me, years of it. I stopped eating vegetables 10th February. Since then trial and error, then read the book. Thank you so much to the author
This book has helped me so much in understanding why vegetables don’t like me. I knew I has ibs, didn’t eat wheat products, no sugar, drank lactose free milk. Still I has loose bowel movements, for ever, every day, sooo upsetting for me, years of it. I stopped eating vegetables 10th February. Since then trial and error, then read the book. Thank you so much to the author
February 15, 2019
Fiber
Excellent read. One of great importance. Everyone needs to read it. We have been taught our whole life to eat fiber, doctors push it and here is the real story. I am looking forward to better health because of this book.
Excellent read. One of great importance. Everyone needs to read it. We have been taught our whole life to eat fiber, doctors push it and here is the real story. I am looking forward to better health because of this book.
June 4, 2019
There's actually no long term clinical evidence for the major claims made in this book. Even the basic discussion of human evolution & biology is anecdotal (eg "early humans flourished on an abundance of meat" is explained by simply looking at our teeth.
If the information in doubt-based medicine books like this were true, there would be two things: clinical and observational proof. The longest living, thinnest and most disease free groups in history have all consumed a high carb, low fat, low processed diet.
Not all carbs are the same and fibrous foods, in their whole form, can be incredibly powerful and protective.
If the information in doubt-based medicine books like this were true, there would be two things: clinical and observational proof. The longest living, thinnest and most disease free groups in history have all consumed a high carb, low fat, low processed diet.
Not all carbs are the same and fibrous foods, in their whole form, can be incredibly powerful and protective.
January 2, 2013
Good read. More evidence that the USDA doesn't have it correct about grains, saturated fat, and fiber. More info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMsF79...
March 6, 2025
Well worth the read if you have any gut issues. I found this book through the gut sense website which I’ve been following for a couple of years.
September 16, 2017
This book makes some really good points that all seem logical and are backed up by science... sort of. Only in one chapter near the end he gives a lot of credit and reference to articles, papers, studies, etc with the rest of the book only having a few references (3-10) for each chapter... which for as radical of an idea he's suggesting and given his background, it really hurts the creditibility and makes it so you have to take the concepts with a BIG grain of salt.
3 stars almost completely because of lack of sufficient references, and the binding of the book, font and layout seems really cheaply done.
3 stars almost completely because of lack of sufficient references, and the binding of the book, font and layout seems really cheaply done.
May 23, 2021
Absolutely fascinating read, could be life-changing for me. I've suffered, yes "suffered" these last six months and have been searching for information that could help my digestive system and defecation. I don't even remember how I stumbled on this book, might be because it was the first time I purchased Metamucil, and I wanted to be sure I was on the right track with increasing my Fiber. After reading the first chapter, I tossed the fiber supplement in the trash. I often wondered why my bowel movements got worst after I turned vegetarian, this book explains it all. Don't waste time, read the book.
December 2, 2023
Well-researched, factual, sensible and immediately engaging! I hope more people read this book, as it contains life-saving health advice. Also, the author is kind and manages to incorporate humor into such an important topic. Almost as if he’s baffled that most people don’t know better, and he has to laugh or go crazy.
“The relationship between the stomach and fiber is ruinous. What else would you expect when matching a primary digestive organ with an indigestible substance?”
“The relationship between the stomach and fiber is ruinous. What else would you expect when matching a primary digestive organ with an indigestible substance?”
February 25, 2015
How too much fiber can be bad for our bodies.
February 12, 2024
The Fiber Myth
Monastyrsky busts the myths surrounding the overuse of fiber in the human diet. A must read book for anyone interested in health and wellbeing.
Monastyrsky busts the myths surrounding the overuse of fiber in the human diet. A must read book for anyone interested in health and wellbeing.
July 26, 2023
This book irritated me. In some ways, it is incredibly insightful, and even prescient. I'm surprised to see an amateur health writer talking about so many controversial ideas that have become more mainstream today, more than 15 years go. There's no question that Monastyrsky had done a lot of research on the subject matter he wrote about.
Nevertheless, between insightful passages, you will find some absolutely preposterous assertions. The author's description of the "only way" to lose weight springs to mind. There are ridiculous unsubstantiated and un-referenced claims throughout the book. They undermined my confidence in everything else the author had to say.
There is a substational amount of repetition in this book as well. The same passages appear again and again, barely rephrased, in multiple chapters. It makes it very tedious to read. There are also other editing problems. Sometimes points appear in the end of chapter summaries that were never mentioned in the chapter, for instance.
The most frustrating part of this book, however, is the author's tone. Without an ounce of apparent humility, Monastyrsky paints most medical and nutritional authorities as idiots. He's dismissive, even mocking, and seems to think nothing of adopting a ridiculously acerbic tone. It completely undermines his credibility as a science or health writer, as he just doesn't come across as someone trying to be objective, or open to the possibility that he may be wrong or that he may not have all the information.
While the subject matter of this book is definitely interesting, and certainly thought-provoking, the way the ideas are presented and exposed undermines them more than it supports them. It's quite a shame.
Nevertheless, between insightful passages, you will find some absolutely preposterous assertions. The author's description of the "only way" to lose weight springs to mind. There are ridiculous unsubstantiated and un-referenced claims throughout the book. They undermined my confidence in everything else the author had to say.
There is a substational amount of repetition in this book as well. The same passages appear again and again, barely rephrased, in multiple chapters. It makes it very tedious to read. There are also other editing problems. Sometimes points appear in the end of chapter summaries that were never mentioned in the chapter, for instance.
The most frustrating part of this book, however, is the author's tone. Without an ounce of apparent humility, Monastyrsky paints most medical and nutritional authorities as idiots. He's dismissive, even mocking, and seems to think nothing of adopting a ridiculously acerbic tone. It completely undermines his credibility as a science or health writer, as he just doesn't come across as someone trying to be objective, or open to the possibility that he may be wrong or that he may not have all the information.
While the subject matter of this book is definitely interesting, and certainly thought-provoking, the way the ideas are presented and exposed undermines them more than it supports them. It's quite a shame.
January 7, 2025
2.5 stars
Probably my first conspiracy theory text? :)
I have lots of respect for the effort it takes to write a public education text, but this one comes off short.
The weird stuff:
- He talks about fiber as if it is one thing. soluable vs insoluble fiber is not discussed at all, although they are both digested very differently
- Claims that Japanese diet has no fiber in - he has not heard of edmame
- Lots of hyperbole that “fiber is the enemy”, summarized by “fiber makes your poop big” & doctors are not smart enough to notice. Let’s ignore thousands of studies on nutrition science, it is all paid for by big fiber.
My theory based on author’s background is that he’s a recovering diabetic who fixed his diabetes by decreasing his carb intake but then realized his GI issues improved as a by-product. That makes sense - but
1. It does not mean fiber/carbs are bad given that we evolved to be omnivores
2. Does not mean that his health is in tip top shape otherwise.
One can go on a no food fast that fixes their GI maladies but that does not food is a menace.
That being said, I found the parts about gut microbiome and dysbiosis quite interesting, and so his detailing of GI anatomy. I also completely agree with his criticism of medicine-dependency for GI issues, and using diet and lifestyle instead, but that’s mainstream at this point.
You know what? That was a refreshing read!
Probably my first conspiracy theory text? :)
I have lots of respect for the effort it takes to write a public education text, but this one comes off short.
The weird stuff:
- He talks about fiber as if it is one thing. soluable vs insoluble fiber is not discussed at all, although they are both digested very differently
- Claims that Japanese diet has no fiber in - he has not heard of edmame
- Lots of hyperbole that “fiber is the enemy”, summarized by “fiber makes your poop big” & doctors are not smart enough to notice. Let’s ignore thousands of studies on nutrition science, it is all paid for by big fiber.
My theory based on author’s background is that he’s a recovering diabetic who fixed his diabetes by decreasing his carb intake but then realized his GI issues improved as a by-product. That makes sense - but
1. It does not mean fiber/carbs are bad given that we evolved to be omnivores
2. Does not mean that his health is in tip top shape otherwise.
One can go on a no food fast that fixes their GI maladies but that does not food is a menace.
That being said, I found the parts about gut microbiome and dysbiosis quite interesting, and so his detailing of GI anatomy. I also completely agree with his criticism of medicine-dependency for GI issues, and using diet and lifestyle instead, but that’s mainstream at this point.
You know what? That was a refreshing read!
April 8, 2021
Too extreme for my liking, i.e. yet another fad diet.
Whole section on how to manage the defects of the diet. If we were not in 21st century to have all those supplements, I don't see it as sustainable diet for our ancestors.
On the other hand, I tend to agree with the author that the artificially added fiber to all the junk food is also not good for your health. The logical action here is not to eat junk food at all (read cereal in the morning, etc.), but I don't see how the fiber in the carrot can harm your gut. It just doesn't make sense.
Whole section on how to manage the defects of the diet. If we were not in 21st century to have all those supplements, I don't see it as sustainable diet for our ancestors.
On the other hand, I tend to agree with the author that the artificially added fiber to all the junk food is also not good for your health. The logical action here is not to eat junk food at all (read cereal in the morning, etc.), but I don't see how the fiber in the carrot can harm your gut. It just doesn't make sense.
January 2, 2018
Kinda like the water book, everything wrong with nutrition is pinned on fiber. HOWEVER, many valid points and if you don't fall prey to the hyperbole he has a lot of useful information. We don't need fiber - cutting it out has helped my constipation immensely. Babies live the first months of their life on milk only and they certainly have no problems pooping. Good info, not a lively read though.
July 6, 2018
The author is really crass, which unfortunately, made him come off as too emotional and less factual. I appreciated what he had to say about fiber, but I wish he had stuck to the science and history and left the opinions and sentiment out of it.
April 5, 2021
It is most interesting in that he says we all need to eat less fiber. It could be a good reason for me to keep on with my paleo type diet.
January 3, 2022
Very informative! Confirmed a lot of information I already suspected to be true.
February 19, 2022
I think I have "Roemheld Syndrome", and limiting fiber to 15g a day seems to really help.
April 12, 2016
Challenging convention at every turn
A lot of "conventional wisdom" is challenged in this book and overall I felt I was done quite convincingly and in a clear and structured manner. Further it has given me much food for thought in how to tailor my LCHF diet in a more fibre-focuses manner.
I did not, however, appreciate the continual selling his own products in second half of the book. Nutrition continues to be a field ripe with hucksters and while I believe that this book has a lot of structured, evidence-based thinking in it, an author in this space must tread carefully. In my opinion it would have been better to include a product or two that feels he felt were "comparable" in the highlighted "professional" category. After all he has no problem giving names to several companies in the two lessor categories of supplements.
A lot of "conventional wisdom" is challenged in this book and overall I felt I was done quite convincingly and in a clear and structured manner. Further it has given me much food for thought in how to tailor my LCHF diet in a more fibre-focuses manner.
I did not, however, appreciate the continual selling his own products in second half of the book. Nutrition continues to be a field ripe with hucksters and while I believe that this book has a lot of structured, evidence-based thinking in it, an author in this space must tread carefully. In my opinion it would have been better to include a product or two that feels he felt were "comparable" in the highlighted "professional" category. After all he has no problem giving names to several companies in the two lessor categories of supplements.
July 22, 2014
Somewhat controversial subject matter - eliminating fibre from your diet. While the author makes a good case, he doesn't seem to take basic nutrition science into account. Meaning, is eating this way actually healthy? The more I learn about nutrition, the more I think he's probably on to something. But no fibre at all? Humans are omnivores Mr.Monastyrsky - thus we do have the ability to process fibre. Doesn't that count for anything?
Nonetheless, an interesting take- and one that could help sufferers of various bowel diseases.
Nonetheless, an interesting take- and one that could help sufferers of various bowel diseases.
December 31, 2016
Pretty well written and informative. It has a bit of the conspiracy theory flavor to it, and it felt a little over the top at times, but it rounded out in the last chapter. Some of the advice seems pretty good and it's worth a look.
I read this online at https://www.gutsense.org/fiber-menace...
I read this online at https://www.gutsense.org/fiber-menace...
June 15, 2016
While he does make a couple of good points, I take these "the entire medical establishment is wrong and I am right" books with a healthy grain of salt (no pun intended). Though it's nice to have an excuse not to eat brown rice.
August 22, 2008
Wow!! I've never been so free!! Man! I was going through the Tucks medicated pads like candy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews