Lectins, plant proteins, and their effect on our health with Dr. Steven Gundry

Steven Gundry, MD is a cardiologist, heart surgeon, medical researcher, and author.

His mission is to improve health, happiness, and longevity through a unique vision of human nutrition. During his 40-year career in medicine, he performed countless pediatric heart transplants, developed patented, life-saving medical technology, and published over 300 articles and book chapters on his research.

In 2008, his best-selling book, “Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution,” focused on diet and nutrition as a way to help people avoid surgery. He currently operates his private practice at the Center for Restorative Medicine, with offices in both Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, CA.

In this episode Dr. Steven Gundry is talking about the main drivers of inflammation today, and how he believes that all disease starts in the gut. He shares how he has changed his mind about leaky gut over the years. Dr. Gundry talks about how gluten is a perfect cause of a leaky gut.

Dr. Steven Gundry explains what plant proteins (lectins) are, and how they are plants’ bioweapons to protect themselves. Then he shares how gluten can cause insulin resistance and weight gain, and what are other lectins out there additionally to gluten.

Dr. Steven Gundry shares a very interesting fact that for most western countries lectins are not a problem and why. He describes how many traditional cultures cook and prepare grains, beans, vegetables differently, and it helps them stay away from lectins. You will be surprised by the different foods Dr. Gundry lists that can cause health issues. But most people believe they are healthy foods. Also, he covers the nuts and seeds, and which ones can be beneficial, and which ones he suggests avoiding.

Steven Gundry, MD gets into the topic of oxalates, what they are and how they can cause problems. Stay tuned to find out what he feels about dairy products, fruits, and animals protein according to the diet he suggests. 

Key Takeaways:

[ 8:06 ] The connection between chronic systemic inflammation and diabetes.
[ 12:40 ] What are lectins and how do they have the potential to harm us.
[ 21:22 ] Why lectins are not a problem for a lot of countries
[ 23:48 ] Surprise foods that people think are healthy but that are actually high in lectins and are problematic.
[ 32:50 ] The potential problems associated with the oxalates in the gut.
[ 49:24 ] Fruits, their health properties and drawbacks.