| Summary |
This book takes revolutionary look at the hidden compounds in healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains that are causing us to gain weight and develop chronic disease. In the deadly game of predator versus prey, an adult gazelle can outrun a hungry lioness, a sparrow can take flight when stalked by a cat, and a skunk can let loose a spray of noxious liquid to temporarily blind a fox. The stakes aren't always rigged against the prey. But when the prey is a plant, the poor thing is helpless, right? Wrong. Plants actually have an impressive array of defense tactics to protect themselves from predators of all shapes and sizes--including humans. Dr. Stephen Gundry explains that these defense strategies make the seemingly virtuous plants that we consume every day--fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds--far less "good for us" than we assume. Plants may use physical deterrents as well as chemical warfare to repel predators. One of the most common forms of plants' chemical defense system comes in the form of proteins called lectins. Found in the seeds, grains, skins, rinds, and leaves of most plants, lectins act as smart bombs in the human body, causing toxic or inflammatory reactions that lead to serious conditions such as leaky gut, autoimmune disease, chronic digestive disorders, heart disease, and weight gain. In The Plant Paradox, Dr. Gundry outlines the health hazards posed by lectins as well as the ways we can avoid them. The main sources of lectins in the American diet include conventionally-raised dairy products, beans, and other legumes, wheat and grains, and specific vegetables and fruits. The simple and daunting fact is, lectins are everywhere. With a full list of lectin-containing foods and simple substitutes for each; a step-by-step detox and eating plan; and easy lectin-free recipes, this book illuminates the hidden dangers lurking in your salad bowl and shows you how to eat whole foods in a whole new way. |
