The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in "Healthy" Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain by Steven R. GundryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The author is exceptionally accomplished in his field - heavy on the practice side (heart transplants) and heavy on the research side. The claim he makes sounds batty....at first. I'm glad I hung in there and kept reading.
Essentially, he has discovered how lectins (the large proteins found in plants) make people ill. Not all vegetables, mind you, but a boatload of them are toxic and interrupt messaging between cells creating serious inflammatory reactions (think: celiac, rheumatoid arthritis, acid reflux, lupus, IBS, and much more). Actually, since there really is nothing new under the sun, I'm sure someone in the past has noticed this, but until Gundry devoted himself to deep research on this, it hasn't been given much air time.
His discussion on the systems which plants have devised to NOT be eaten is fascinating. It turns out they know when they are being assaulted - picked or eaten - and they immediately produce more toxins in response to this, and it has been measured! This is one of the many surprising things I learned while reading this.
He is neither anti-vegetarian, nor pro-carnivore. The book does list everything you should and should not eat, and fish is most prominently featured along with healthy fats and cruciferous vegetables, but he recommends eating poultry and meat daily in moderation, as well.
The book is very well researched and accessible to the non-scientist. The data he presents -
unassailable. Lectins are now on my radar....permanently.
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