Send us a text

The Plant Paradox and Lectin-Free Eating

Introduction:

This briefing document synthesizes information from excerpts featuring Dr. Steven Gundry and a WebMD article on the Plant Paradox diet (also known as the lectin-free diet). The core concept of this approach is that certain proteins in plants, called lectins, are "anti-nutrients" that can contribute to chronic health conditions such as inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and weight gain. The diet advocates for avoiding or carefully preparing foods high in lectins, while emphasizing foods considered low in these proteins and rich in beneficial nutrients like antioxidants and healthy fats.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. Lectins as "Anti-Nutrients":

• Dr. Steven Gundry, the proponent of the Plant Paradox diet, claims that lectins are a defense mechanism used by plants to deter being eaten.
• The WebMD article explains that lectins are proteins that bind carbohydrates and are not easily broken down during digestion.
• High levels of lectins, especially when raw or undercooked, can cause digestive upset (nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating, gas).
• Dr. Gundry associates lectins with contributing to various chronic health conditions and weight gain in his patients.

1. Identifying High-Lectin Foods (Foods to Avoid):

• Both sources provide lists of foods to avoid due to their high lectin content. These lists are extensive and include many commonly considered "healthy" foods.
• Grains: Wheat (including wheatgrass), corn products, brown rice, quinoa, barley, rice.
• Beans and Legumes: Chickpeas, lentils, peas, edamame, tofu, peanuts, lima beans, red kidney beans, split peas. (Note: Some beans can be made safer by pressure cooking).
• Certain Fruits and Vegetables: Bell peppers, chili peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, goji berries, melons (any kind), pumpkins, squashes (any kind), tomatillos, tomatoes, zucchini, bananas (when ripe). These are often referred to as "nightshades."
• Certain Nuts and Seeds: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds with peels, cashews.
• Traditional Dairy: Products containing casein A1 protein (most cow's milk products from American cows).
• Certain Oils: Corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, peanut, safflower, soy, sunflower, "vegetable" oils, and partially hydrogenated oils.
• Processed Foods and Sugars: Bread, cereal, cookies, crackers, pasta, pastry, potato chips, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, granola bars (often high in sugar, lectins, and glyphosate).

1. Identifying Low-Lectin Foods (Foods to Emphasize):

• The diet encourages the consumption of foods low in lectins, often those high in antioxidants and omega-3s.
• Certain Nuts and Seeds: Macadamia nuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, sacha inchi seeds, baru nut seeds, basil seeds, flaxseeds, hempseeds, sesame seeds.
• Fruits: Pomegranates, kiwis, blackberries, blueberries. Green bananas (eaten frozen like a popsicle to utilize resistant starch).
• Vegetables: Artichoke, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, garlic, greens (collard, mustard), kale, olives, spinach, sweet potatoes/yams.
• Oils: Olive oil (particularly for its polyphenols), avocado oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, MCT oil, sesame oil.
• Dairy Alternatives: Goat milk and goat cheese, sheep milk yogurt, goat milk yogurt, A2 milk yogurt, coconut yogurt (plain). Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
• Meats and Seafood: Pasture-raised chicken and t

Support the show

Send us a text

Date: March 23, 2025

Sources Reviewed:

• "50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration | Vietnam War Commemoration"
• "In Country: Stories from the Vietnam War | Vietnam War (1961-1975) | Serving: Our Voices | Veterans History Project Collection | Digital Collections | Library of Congress"
• "NHHC" (Naval History and Heritage Command website)
• "National Vietnam War Veterans Day 2025 in the United States" (timeanddate.com)
• "VA News and Information"
• "VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs"
• "Veterans Return Home | Oklahoma Historical Society"
• "Vietnam War 50th Year Commemoration | The United States Army"
• "Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned? | HISTORY"

Executive Summary:

This briefing document synthesizes information from multiple sources regarding the commemoration of the Vietnam War and the ongoing recognition of its veterans. Key themes include the historical context of the war and its impact, the often-negative reception Vietnam veterans initially faced upon returning home, the establishment and significance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29th), and the current efforts by various organizations, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to honor and thank these veterans and their families. The 50th anniversary commemoration, launched in 2012 and continuing through Veterans Day 2025, serves as a focal point for these efforts.

Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

1. The Vietnam War: A Divisive Conflict and its Lasting Impact:

• The Vietnam War (roughly 1955-1975 for the US involvement) was a prolonged and complex conflict with significant human cost in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The US involvement escalated in the 1960s during the Cold War, driven by fears of communist expansion.
• The war became increasingly unpopular in the United States, dividing American society. As the Oklahoma Historical Society notes, "The Vietnam War divided American society. Those who served were often treated as traitors instead of heroes, and found it difficult to adjust to life back home."
• The "In Country: Stories from the Vietnam War" collection by the Library of Congress highlights the diverse and often difficult experiences of the 2.7 million Americans who served in Vietnam, recalling the "visceral experience of the places in which they spent their tours of duty, vividly recalling the sights, sounds, and smells of Vietnam a half-century after coming home." These personal narratives underscore the individual human impact of the war.

2. The Negative Reception of Returning Vietnam Veterans:

• Unlike veterans of previous wars, Vietnam veterans often did not receive a warm welcome home. As HISTORY states, "American soldiers returning home from Vietnam often faced scorn as the war they had fought in became increasingly unpopular."
• Several factors contributed to this, including the lack of clear victory, the divisiveness of the war, and a desire by some Americans to forget the conflict. Jerry Lembke, a Vietnam veteran and sociologist, explains, "Vietnam was a lost war, and it was the first major lost war abroad in American history. You don’t have parades for soldiers coming home from a war they lost."
• Veterans like Steven A. Wowwk recounted instances of direct hostility: "I remember feeling like, what could I do to acknowledge them, and I just gave the peace signal... And instead of getting return peace fingers, I got the middle finger."
• The lack of adequate GI benefits and institutional indifference further compounded the challenges faced by returning veterans, a

Support the show

Health Landscape - February 2025

Overview:

This document summarizes key themes and events in the health landscape as of February 2025, based on excerpts from TIME's Health section and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. The sources highlight a range of issues, from reproductive rights and emerging health threats (like measles and bird flu) to ongoing research efforts and initiatives aimed at tackling major health challenges like heart disease, diabetes, and the opioid crisis. There's a clear emphasis on the intersection of politics and health, and the impact of scientific research on public health.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. Reproductive Health Under Scrutiny and Change:

• The TIME excerpts prominently feature stories related to reproductive rights. Several articles discuss the impact of abortion bans, including a study indicating that "infant mortality and births increased in most states that had abortion bans in the year after the Dobbs ruling." This suggests a negative consequence of restricted access to abortion.
• Amanda Zurawski's story as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit highlights "the dangers abortion bans pose to women’s health." This underscores the real-world impact of these policies on individual women and their healthcare.
• The temporary block to NIH research funding cuts, as reported by the AP and IVF executive order by Trump suggests ongoing political battles related to reproductive health and research.
• Raquel Willis's article emphasizes "why restrictions on choices surrounding our bodies pose a danger to all of us, no matter how we identify." This highlights the broader implications of reproductive rights debates, framed as an issue of bodily autonomy.

1. Emerging and Existing Health Threats:

• Measles: The article "What to Know About Measles Outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico" indicates a resurgence of this highly contagious disease, highlighting the importance of vaccination efforts.
• Bird Flu: The report of "A Woman in Wyoming Is Hospitalized With Bird Flu" signals the ongoing threat of zoonotic diseases.
• Pneumonia: Pope Francis's pneumonia diagnosis is used as a springboard to discuss "what a pneumonia diagnosis can mean and potential treatments doctors might be trying."
• Cancer in Young Adults: The question "Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?" acknowledges a concerning trend and the need for further research.
• Environmental Dementia Risk: The NIH reported that "Wildfire smoke exposure was associated with greater odds of being diagnosed."

1. Political Influence on Health and Science:

• RFK Jr.'s Appointment: The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, "one of America's most notorious vaccine skeptics," is a source of worry for experts, according to TIME. This highlights the potential for political ideologies to influence public health policy. "RFK Jr. Outlines Priorities on Food, Vaccines, and Personnel" emphasizes the need to monitor his actions and policies closely.
• Judge Extends Temporary Block to NIH Research Funding Cuts: This suggests ongoing political battles related to reproductive health and research.

1. NIH's Role in Research and Public Health:

• The NIH website clearly states its mission: "NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®" and emphasizes the "Impact of NIH Research" on improving lives.
• The NIH is "the largest source of funding for medical research in the world, creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs." This underscores its significant role in driving sci

Support the show