The Plant Paradox

We've all heard the best diet consists of high vegetable, moderate, in-season fruit, moderate protein and fat, right? Well, what if you're following this diet and are still experiencing fatigue, bloating, weight stability or gain, gas, and no movement in your cholesterol, blood pressure, and even sugar levels? This is what Dr. Steven Gundry has set out to investigate.

The Plant Paradox examines the relationship between eating a healthy diet (fruits and vegetables) while still being overweight, hypertensive, and on the path to heart disease. Dr. Steven Gundry has delved into why this diet is ineffective and not helping patients lose weight and reduce risks of chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes).

Ultimately he reveals the culprit; lectin. Lectins are plants way of protecting themselves against predators; other plants, animals, humans. Inside our bodies, lectins battle with our guts and create a chemical warfare which in turn causes us to hold on to weight and causes a host of other problems.

I haven't read the book, yet. It's on top of my list. It sounds similar to Wheat Belly, in that the food we eat has a direct effect on how we feel.

This is probably the issue I wish patients understood the most. What you eat directly affects how you feel. I repeat: what you eat DIRECTLY affects how you feel. If you eat crap, you will feel like crap. Plain and simple. I usually reserve this for patients who are eating a lot of fast food, highly processed food, etc. There are some people who do eat fruits, vegetables, protein, and fat and do have some adverse effects; gas, bloating, etc. These are simple to explain; each body responds differently. What may be good for one person may not be good for another. Unfortunately, I cannot look at you and determine that you will negatively react to broccoli. This is a trial and error sort of testing.

Another book helpful with testing, reactions, and the inflammatory process is The Plan by Lyn-Genet Recitas. This book is more specific with food testing and the most common foods that most people react to. She is very specific and The Plan is very regimented at the beginning, but it does help identify reactionary foods and how to avoid them.

Have you read any of these? What did you think?