A Review of Plant Paradox: Is it The Newest Diet Trend?

If you’re a fan of reading books, articles, or informative pieces about health and nutrition, you might have heard about Dr. Steven Gundry, a renowned California-based cardiologist that is also a specialist heart surgeon and author of the famous diet book called The Plant Paradox. Below, we take a closer look at what the book is all about, whether it is the newest diet trend in town and if the ideas from it can actually be helpful in changing the reader’s health and lifestyle. The Plant Paradox Diet Looking at it from the larger perspective, Dr. Steven Gundry’s Paradox appears to be more of a lifestyle change than a diet. The Plant Paradox revolves around the notion that even though plant-based diets are considered healthier, not all plants are actually as good as thought to be. It is a common belief that to be healthy, one should include lots of veggies and fruits in their diet, for instance. But what if someone told you that some of these plants can turn out to make you sick? Well, as much as it may sound a bit harsh, some scientific truth actually exists in this idea. Scientifically, all living things have some kind of defense mechanism or process. While "fight or flight" is the defense mechanism for humans, plants "fight" threats with a special type of proteins known as lectins. There are many different types of lectins but in essence, they are described as proteins that can bind to cell membranes. Gluten (as you may have heard of a) is a good example of a lectin protein found in some plants. In simple language, lectin is a protein that acts as a protective toxin in plants. When an animal attempts to eat the plant the first time, it gets ill and therefore refrains from trying to eat it again. In humans, the “ill feeling” could present itself as a digestive problem, weight gain, or even an autoimmune condition. The good news, however, is that not every plant will cause this. This is where Dr. Gundry’s Plant Paradox Diet chips in to enlighten you on plants that you should try as much as possible to avoid (some grains, legumes, seeds, nightshades, soy), alongside those that are crucially important all year round (fruits). Dr. Gundry’s Plant Paradox Pyramid To allow readers to easily follow the program in a healthy and sustainable manner, Dr. Gundry came up with his unique version of the USDA food pyramid. Unlike the old one that tends to be a bit misleading when it comes to some diet combinations, Dr. Gundry’s paradox food pyramid puts more emphasis on eating mostly leafy vegetables and healthy oils at the base level and consuming minimal amounts of red meat at the pinnacle. It also recommends that fruits shouldn’t be combined with veggies and should be consumed in moderation due to their naturally high sugar content. Is This Diet Book Worth It? Whether you’re looking to make permanent diet changes or you’re just into trying out new diet combinations, The Plant Paradox is one of the most interesting nutritional books to read. The format is easy, fun, and well organized. The book is also loaded with plenty of scientific facts, verifiable studies, and success stories. The author has also included lots of interesting recipes, including meal, snack, and drinks. Being one of the most successful cardiologists and heart surgery expert, Dr. Gundry’s advice seems to hold more ground as compared to nutritional advice elsewhere. As a matter of fact, he was once the Cardiothoracic Surgery Head at the Loma Linda University. Before resorting to surgery, the leading cardiologist is said to be able to treat his heart disease patients through diet before the condition gets worse that it requires an operation. in addition to his stunning background in the healthcare industry, Dr. Gundry’s other written works include more than 300 journal articles on cardiology and diet advice theories as well as his previous book, Diet Evolution. Verdict Gundry’s book can be a great pick for you if you’re struggling with health issues such as obesity, digestive problems, chronic disease or being overweight. A copy of this book can also be perfect for someone simply looking to enlighten themselves about proper dieting and healthy nutritional changes. Considering that it has been a New York Times Bestseller, it can easily be found in most bookstores or online from sites such as Amazon, Noble, and Barnes. To many, the Plant Paradox is indeed the newest diet trend!