The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in ""Healthy"" Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain

Written by Steven R. Gundry, MD

Narrated by Steven R. Gundry, MD

""I read this book... it worked. My autoimmune disease is gone and I'm 37 pounds lighter in my pleather."" —Kelly Clarkson

Most of us have heard of gluten—a protein found in wheat that causes widespread inflammation in the body. Americans spend billions of dollars on gluten-free diets in an effort to protect their health. But what if we’ve been missing the root of the problem? In The Plant Paradox, renowned cardiologist Dr. Steven Gundry reveals that gluten is just one variety of a common, and highly toxic, plant-based protein called lectin. Lectins are found not only in grains like wheat but also in the “gluten-free” foods most of us commonly regard as healthy, including many fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and conventional dairy products. These proteins, which are found in the seeds, grains, skins, rinds, and leaves of plants, are designed by nature to protect them from predators (including humans). Once ingested, they incite a kind of chemical warfare in our bodies, causing inflammatory reactions that can lead to weight gain and serious health conditions.

At his waitlist-only clinics in California, Dr. Gundry has successfully treated tens of thousands of patients suffering from autoimmune disorders, diabetes, leaky gut syndrome, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases with a protocol that detoxes the cells, repairs the gut, and nourishes the body. Now, in The Plant Paradox, he shares this clinically proven program with readers around the world.

The simple (and daunting) fact is, lectins are everywhere. Thankfully, Dr. Gundry offers simple hacks we easily can employ to avoid them, including:

• Peel your veggies. Most of the lectins are contained in the skin and seeds of plants; simply peeling and de-seeding vegetables (like tomatoes and peppers) reduces their lectin content.
• Shop for fruit in season. Fruit contain fewer lectins when ripe, so eating apples, berries, and other lectin-containing fruits at the peak of ripeness helps minimize your lectin consumption.
• Swap your brown rice for white. Whole grains and seeds with hard outer coatings are designed by nature to cause digestive distress—and are full of lectins.

With a full list of lectin-containing foods and simple substitutes for each, a step-by-step detox and eating plan, and delicious lectin-free recipes, The Plant Paradox illuminates the hidden dangers lurking in your salad bowl—and shows you how to eat whole foods in a whole new way.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9780062966629

Steven R. Gundry, MD

Steven R. Gundry, MD, is the director of the International Heart and Lung Institute in Palm Springs, California, and the founder and director of the Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara. After a distinguished surgical career as a professor and chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at Loma Linda University, Dr. Gundry changed his focus to curing modern diseases via dietary changes. His bestselling books include The Gut-Brain Paradox, Gut Check, Unlocking the Keto Code, The Energy Paradox, The Plant Paradox Family Cookbook, The Longevity Paradox, The Plant Paradox Quick and Easy, The Plant Paradox Cookbook, and The Plant Paradox, and has written more than three hundred articles published in peer-reviewed journals on using diet and supplements to eliminate heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and multiple other diseases. He is the host of the top ranked nutrition podcast Dr. Gundry Podcast and founder of Gundry MD, a wellness brand. Dr. Gundry lives with his wife, Penny, and their dogs in Palm Springs and Montecito, California.

Reviews for The Plant Paradox

[Jennifer Pavlov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I suffer from RA, hypothyroid, acid reflux, I wanted to read this book for so long. As the audiobook went on I started to change my diet and started to reduce my medications and stopped all but one. My pain has decreased and I am so excited! I have had severe pain for over 10 years!! I just ordered his cookbook.
Jennifer P

[Traktor Cerber · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is briliant stuff.
But is amaizing that it actualy works.
Great team.

[angie jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and can't wait to implement the things I learned. Hoping to get my Crohn's in remission if not cure it. Will write another review after trying the progam.

[Kelli Raymond · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is my new food bible I reread it over and over again it’s packed with life saving information

[Jason Gilreath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author made it simple to understand and interesting at the same time. One famous quote that I love is “ It’s not my fault “. We all can achieve great health if we take the time to listen and apply yourself to all the author teaches us to do.

[Susan Eck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Gundry's books are always well written. And at the forefront of healing our nation by food. Recipes are a bit lacking, but most diet/health books are... I guess that's why he sells the cookbook separate.

[Colburn McWherter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book provides actionable insights for readers to take resulting in overall improvements in health, energy and the removal of chronic illnesses.

[Dinka Sarkozi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting and informative. It completely changed my views on nutrition. After some preparations I will be ready to start the program soon! Thank you very much!

[Hayden Atkinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book, I had to buy the actual copy too

[Nate Shapiro · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Gundry provides a poorly based argument against lectins, supported by anecdotes and no objective evidence. In the book he cites sources for the lectins that might lead one to be deceived into thinking their is scientific support for his claims, but investigation of the sources yields only definitions of lectins and descriptions of lectins performing normal functions in the body. None of his sources support pathological processes of lectins, certainly not to the scale he claims. In summary, this is a doctor enamored with diet trends, claiming scientific support and explanations for the trends and providing his own advice and recipes for benefits when he is only peddling snake oils.

[cgalvin-774225 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Brutal thriller with family dynamics at the center. I think Claire scared me more than the killer...

[Franz Marc · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

CAUTION!

This is pseudo-science and does NOT adhere to academic standards.

[radiojen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm starting to really like this genre!

I'm not normally a reader of this genre, but I'm finding the more I take a chance on a book like this, that I may actually be a fan of this thriller/mystery genre after all.

The story is a little bit complicated in a couple of places, and perhaps a bit far-fetched, but I was willing to suspend reality in order to enjoy the escape of a good tale. Not the best book I'll read in 2017, but great for what I needed to read right now. It held my interest enough to make me miss a couple of good night's sleep.

[Petr S · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Non-science based book with author promote his supplements
https://www.redpenreviews.org/reviews/the-plant-paradox-the-hidden-dangers-in-healthy-foods-that-cause-disease-and-weight-gain/

https://www.reddit.com/r/skeptic/comments/6u37ic/factchecking_review_of_the_plant_paradox_the/

[jake davis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Informative... excellent... audio was a pleasure to listen to ......should be mandatory for anyone interested in health..... bold and new claims .... even if you disagree with some of the claims, you need to be aware of them

[Angela Alale · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been looking for the best and most healthiest way to eat. I've tried just about all the diet plans out there. This book cleared up my "diet confusion." Backed by science and medical experience, and I'm confident that I know the best way to eat for a healthier, vibrant, energized, disease-eliminating, sustainable eating plan! Thank you, Dr. Gundry!

[Irida · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book helps in the destruction of the environment. Feeding like that is very egoistic.

[trayceebee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

*This is a VERY GRAPHICALLY VIOLENT story*

That being said, I could not put this down. I was sucked in immediately and never once lost interest. I couldn't wait for a chance to come back to this--rather than working, doing other day-to-day things.... I wanted to be listening to this book!

I was completely intrigued, frightened, angry, and sad at any given moment. I definitely recommend this for anyone with a strong stomach.

[Grace Outlaw · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Half is decent advice, the other half has already been proven to be inaccurate. Extremely disappointed.

[danielle.desrochers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unpredictable, engaging and super twisty! Loved it!

This book is NOT for everyone though, check the trigger warnings!

[eboods · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a good thriller! Really kept me going. Hoping the rest of her books are just as good stumbling upon this author.

[spiritrider1101 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow! What a thriller!

Okay so check your trigger warnings. This book if graphic with some serious subjects. I think some of it didn't have to be so graphic and it made me uncomfortable.

The characters Claire and Lydia are great! There are twists and turns in this psychological thriller. Again the material is very graphic and can be disturbing.
The father and his letter to his daughter were gut wrenching. It brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart.

I have never rad a keen Slaughter book until this INE and I will say it wad very very good. I will certainly look at her other books in the future.

I do need a break after thus book so it will be a while before I choose another.

[kalliegrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ahhh I want to rate this a little higher but there is just too much gratuitous gore and sexual violence for me to bump it up more. It is certainly thrilling, and for once I wasn't screaming at the characters to make better choices. The villain is demonically evil, and the ending is satisfying. It's really long for a thriller though, and I don't feel like the characters are developed enough to warrant the length.

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you haven’t tried any Karin Slaughter books yet, this is the one to read first! This book was so well written and her ability to develop characters is astonishing! This is one of her standalone books. Next start with the Grount County Series!

You will be addicted to her books!

[sheriawilkinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Claire and Lydia's Sister (Julia) goes missing almost twenty four years ago. Although estranged from each other dire circumstance brings together the Siblings as they search for answers. Lives are in danger and things are not as they seem as they get close to the shocking truth.

Moving at a steady pace told form multiple points of view, I was pulled deep into this broken family. Secrets slowly revealed left me in shock as I dove deep into the intense, suspenseful chilling story. Karin Slaughter knows how to grab your attention and not let go. I highly recommend Pretty Girls to those who enjoy (domestic) thrillers.

[henrog-315853 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I have read by this author. Although it is a bit gruesome in places, I couldn't put it down.

[micareads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Claire's husband is murdered her whole life turns upside down. She slowly learns who her husband really was and how he is intertwined with the worst day of her life. Reunited with her sister, they face life and death situations and pray they come out on the other side. The number of surprises in this book kept it very interesting and I flew through it.

[newnaturalmama · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book was so bad I was mad at myself for reading it

[akbouterse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am not a mystery reader really so I did not know what to expect going into this except that I had heard that this is a very intense book. That is absolutely correct. This book is dark and gory and at times it's hard to keep going in the story. I am not the type of person to be that frightened by books so I wouldn't say I was scared exactly but I did only read this in bit sized chunks because it could be so dark.

I definitely liked this book. I liked how we had a complicated relationship with all the characters. I found this book to be kind of unrealistic but also not so much that I could not buy into the story. I think even if this particular story is a bit unrealistic, many of us will have experienced a time where we weren't sure who we could trust, including authority figures or others we thought we could trust implicitly. I thought the relationships between all that characters were so dynamic and well fleshed out. The complicated family dynamic is really well written and a very honest portrayal of how families deal with loss and how they can grow apart.

I really appreciated the setting of this book as it takes place in Athens and outside of Atlanta. I almost went to the University of Georgia and I've been to Athens many times and I live in Atlanta and was able to have a very clear picture of the settings though I think even if you have never been to Atlanta, the setting is very well described. Some of the characters went to Auburn University for college which is where my moms whole family went and is another place I've been many times. This is obviously not necessary to enjoy this book but was some added fun for me.

Frankly, I am still not much a mystery reader and I don't know how many books like this one I am going to pick up in the future but I did appreciate the craft of this book and I'm glad I read it.

[tapestry100 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have been seeing a holistic doctor and she recommended this book to me as a lifestyle change for my eating habits. Not going to lie, I'm a little skeptical about all this but I'm willing to give it a try. Gundry does make some farfetched assertions about the benefits of his program, especially when he's also hocking his name brand version of the supplements he wants you to be on.