Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution

February 4, 2008
Thoracic surgeon Gundry has invented many devices now commonly used in heart surgeries. Here, he shows readers how to avoid such surgeries as well as obesity, high cholesterol and blood pressure levels, diabetes and even cancer by outsmarting a genetic code set for survival when food was scarce and physical activity strenuous. Our culture, technology and lifestyles may have changed, Gundry says, but our genes have not. The first part of his three-phase diet aims to break reliance on high-carb, sugar-laden foods. In phases two and three, readers can broaden their eating plans somewhat, but the emphasis is on nutrient-dense, calorie-sparse greens. Some may wince at the “Gundryisms” that pepper the text (“If it's white, keep it out of sight”; ”If it's beige, better behave“), but many will find them easy to remember. User-friendly exercise and meal plans, as well as recipes for some unusual foods (among them Chicken Under a Brick; Angelic Jungle Princess with Chicken, a Thai recipe adapted from a dish served at a restaurant on Oahu; and “pasta” dishes made with low-cal, high-fiber shirataki noodles) round out this surprising take on the epidemic of obesity-related diseases.

January 15, 2008
Heart surgeon Steven Gundry takes an evolutionary and gene-based approach in this challenging but intriguing diet and nutrition guide, which was initially designed to improve the heart health of his seriously ill patients. With a friendly and enthusiastic tone, Gundry explains his view that eating a healthy diet can "turn off" genes in the human body that lead to weight gain and chronic disease. Gundry's rather complex three-phase diet plan focuses on reducing or eliminating grains and sugar, in favor of lean protein and large amounts of vegetables. The initial phases of Gundry's eating plan bear some similarities to the Paleolithic or caveman diet, as presented in books such as Ray Audette's "NeanderThin" or Loren Cordain's "The Paleo Diet". While the strict requirements of Gundry's plan may be too extreme for some, and Gundry's explanations of his theories are occasionally confusing, this thought-provoking nutrition guide will likely appeal to open-minded dieters facing health problems that require a major lifestyle change. Suitable for larger public libraries.Ingrid Levin, Salve Regina Univ. Lib., Newport, RI

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