Sarah, you are random. This whole site is random as hell. You never know what you are gonna get on this thing. I know, Right? I apologize for my randomness-ity, but this is my creative outlet here, so bear with me.
This has been bouncing around in my head lately and I'd love to know your thoughts. Anyone reading these posts anyway? Mom? Mom, I know you read these, so I definitely expect to hear your thoughts in the comments below. At least I have one reader! Dr. Gundry's new book called The Plant Paradox. Listen. I absolutely hate fads about healthy eating. I never did the Whole 30 or the Eat-like-a-Gorilla Paleo thing or the Atkins-Meat-and-Eggs-Me diet, because I'm... Well, I'm Moderation-Freakin'-Mama! I just like to eat and drink things in moderation. Not too much of this and not too much of that. But then, I caught wind of Kelly Clarkston talking about how she was eating in a whole new way thanks to Dr. Gundry's book. She looked amazing and says she feels better than ever. I looked it up online and read a bit about it. Turns out, Dr. Steven Gundry is a world renowned cardiologist that has performed more pediatric heart transplants than any other doctor in the world. He has also transplanted hearts from Pig to Baboon successfully. Needless to say, he knows a lot about immunology and our autoimmune systems (anti-rejection). He believes that the increase in lectins in our diet (inflammatory proteins- GLUTEN is one that you already know about), are causing a spike in inflammatory diseases and autoimmune issues. It turns out that he has some incredible insight on our current eating habits and how they are nearly 80% corn and grain-based these days. Even our meats are nearly all 100% corn/grain fed (not grass fed), so when we eat corn/grain fed meat, we too are eating what that animal ate (corn/grain). So our diets are chalk-full of corns and grains which are the highest lectin foods out there. Lectins, create antibodies that cause inflammation, reeking havoc on our immune systems, blood sugar, and endocrine systems causing everything from early puberty in children to diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and arthritis. He suggests that we consider how a cow is fattened... it is fed nearly a 100% corn and grain diet (obviously NOT a cow's natural diet). If this method is used to fatten up our animals, why should we be any different? The surprising part is that lectins are found in many vegetables that we all consider "healthy," such as the skin and seeds of tomatoes and cucumbers. Plants produce lectins to deter insects from eating them. Some plants have higher amounts of lectins than others, so it's important to know which ones. Anyway, I have become fascinated by this book and Dr. Gundry's research as well as the results of his patients. He teaches his readers and patients how to remove high-lectin food from our diets to bring down the inflammation in our bodies that is reeking havoc. His results are truly astounding. This book is not a weight loss book, however, most people do lose weight as a side effect due to cutting out high-lectin foods. So, I am doing my very best to begin cutting down on high-lectin foods. I even went to Whole Foods for the first time ever to grocery shop- actually I did Instacart (OMG have you tried Instacart? Life changing.), so technically I did not go IN to Whole Foods. Not that Whole Foods is bad... It's just expensive and I am Moderation Mama. I like to do things in MODERATION. This Plant Paradox Program is not very MODERATION MAMA of me... but, it's worth a shot at cutting down my inflammatory levels. I will keep y'all posted. For a list of his high lectin foods, you can click here and scroll down for a printable list, if you'd like to join me. I will be reporting my results and food diaries as I find time to do so. What are your thoughts? Had you ever heard of lectins???
3 Comments
7/23/2018 11:32:39 am
I am totally. Intrigued. It makes sense why so many people are obese and mature early and why so many teens look so buffaloed up. All I know is we are doing SOMETHING wrong and we need to figure it out. Obesity is a product of inflammation, as is diabetes , arthritis and probably Alzheimer's. So yes I'm intrigued and look forward to hearing about your experience.
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Katie Gunnels
7/23/2018 07:57:54 pm
I also saw Kelly Clarkson’s recent weight loss and how she had read Dr. Gundry’s book. I looked it up awhile back. But, like you, I am not into fads. It turned me off that certain vegetables (or parts of them) are off limits. Honestly, I think the other fads that you mentioned (Atkins 🙄) that really are so gross and unhealthy, have set the wrong tone for me to be “into” one particular diet. Dr. Gundry is obviously not stupid and knows what he is talking about. And I certainly understand and respect how his findings about lectin are important regarding autoimmune diseases. I think “moderation” as you promote is the best way to go. Now, moderation isn’t easy for most. - especially me! I look forward to hearing about your experience! Thanks for sharing your “random” thoughts, Sarah! 💗
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Ashley
7/24/2018 03:51:23 am
This is SOO interesting. As someone with an auto immune disease I think this is really interesting. Can’t wait to hear how it is working for you!!!
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