I want to evaluate the condition of my digestive system as a whole. I've read a little about this but would like to here any thoughts or suggestions any of you have on the topic.(as an aid to formulate questions for my Doc) What are some good books and/or websites on the subject?

I suspect that I'm experiencing some sort of malabsorption or maldigestive problem. I've always had varing stool consistancies and often suffer many other gastro related symptoms. I recently had a "hair analysis" done and it's results showed poor major and trace metal levels. I also in general suffer from low energy levels. I've also recently been trying to gain a few pounds of lean mass and loose a bit of belly, but with little luck. (39; male; no food allergies; eat well balanced diet; 1+ gal water day; exercise 5x week last 1 1/2 yrs; have experimented with different calorie levels ( 2800 - 3500 day); no negative test results from physicals and/or other tests)

I also recently tried a 3 1/2 day water and juice fast.
The first day after the fast I noticed increased energy but now am back to normal. I am now trying a "Yerba Prima" internal cleansing system.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Now, this is my own personal crusade (after some major GI problems), but I think in general we eat too much wheat - which is easy to do since it is in so many prepared foods.

I can't really point you to any particular book. The idea of reducing/eliminating wheat consumption (particularly the way it is prepared in the U.S.) comes up in various places. Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall is addressed to people with more extreme conditions like colitis, diverticulosis, etc., but it has an interesting take on the impact of starches and sugars on the digestive track.

So often on health-related boards, people will have similar complaints to yours - especially the low energy - and they say they are eating a very healthy diet, will post a sample menu for the day, and wheat shows up prominently in at least two meals.

Best wishes!

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I'm currently reading this book (again) and it has a lot of excellent information on how to suspect, identify, and overcome chronic health problems related to candida......: The Yeast Connection by William G. Crook MD. Has anyone else read it? I'm sort of a "sugar addict" and reading the book again has given me new strength to QUIT!