I think the title of this book is something every human aspires to have. Some of us achieve it easily while others struggle, literally. It may be a bit uncomfortable to talk about but it’s imperative as it relates to our overall health and wellbeing.

As the blurb spells out, when push comes to shove, there is nothing as fundamental as a well-functioning bowel. So don’t be squeamish. Keep reading.

Dr Michael Levitt is a surgeon specialising in colorectal surgery. He’s what my family would call a bum doctor. He has a particular interest in how bowels function and the problems that many of us suffer from; constipation, incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome. He is very experienced and has a solid understanding of how our bowels may help us to enjoy our life, or plague it.

The Happy Bowel gives us the ins and outs (sorry, I can’t help myself) of how our bowels work. He asks us, what is normal bowel function? Dr Levitt knows, as he has personally conducted an investigation into the bowel functions of a large and random sample of the human population.

He then asks, but is your bowel function satisfactory? We get the low-down on how the bowel works, transit times and learn about the three Ds: Defer, Desist and Distinguish!

This is only a small book, but it’s one packed full of tips and practical advice. You’ll find yourself realising that habits that you might have had for years are really not the best habits after all.

Levitt delivers this information with a fun sense of humour and lightheartedness that makes the subject an enjoyable read. Seriously!

Reviewed by Jane Stephens