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Michael Pollan said, “Don’t eat anything your great-great-great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”
In the era of processed foods, it can be tough to know what to eat. Are chips and cookies real food? What about those boxed meals with a million ingredients? And what’s inside the pre-packaged salad dressings? Navigating the supermarket aisles can feel like an obstacle course. But it’s important to remember that real food doesn’t come in a package.
Friends, welcome back to The School of Greatness. We’ve got the inspirational Dr. Steven Gundry in the house, and in this interview, we talk about why we need certain types of bacteria to stay healthy, how to boost your immune system, how to stay healthy in times of a pandemic, and so much more. I’m so excited for you to hear this because it will give you the ability to truly change someone’s life today.
Who Is Dr. Steven Gundry?
Dr. Steven Gundry is a well-known cardiologist, surgeon, medical device inventor, and New York Times bestselling author of the books, The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain and its companion book, The Plant Paradox Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes to Help You Lose Weight, Heal Your Gut, and Live Lectin-Free.
Through his 40 years of career in the medical field, Dr. Steven has performed thousands of heart surgeries. At present, he is empowering people through diet to prevent and reverse ailments. Dr. Steven also helps patients learn to take control of their health, energy, and weight by using his surprisingly simple advice on diet.
Dr. Steven is also the founder and director of the International Heart and Lung Institute and the Center for Restorative Medicine, both in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, California.
This is the third time I’ve had Dr. Gundry on The School of Greatness, each time I’m inspired by his knowledge and motivation in helping other people learn the truth about gut health, food, and mental clarity. Check out the past episodes with Dr. Steven Grundy on Episode 52 and Episode 772, and learn more about his practices and health advice. We also talked about health in this episode but focused more on how to stay healthy in times of a pandemic.
Why We Need Germs and Bacteria to Stay Healthy
Bacteria and germs get a bad rap. We often think of them as the sources of all our illnesses, but that’s not entirely true. In fact, bacteria and germs are necessary for our health. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to digest food, absorb nutrients, or fight off infection. So, next time you feel like cursing your cold, remember that those little germs are actually doing you a favor!
“Bacteria are incredibly important. And we know now that these bacteria actually teach our immune system from day one. In fact, we used to think that the placenta … that feeds the baby is sterile. Of course, that has to be because the baby has to be sterile. The placenta is full of bacteria, … feeding [the baby]. And [it] turns out that the bacteria in the placenta actually give information to the baby’s immune system before the baby even pops out of the womb.” – Dr. Steven Gundry
Bacteria play an important role in our lives, from helping us digest food to programming our immune systems. Most people think of bacteria as something that needs to be eliminated, but in fact, we need bacteria for a healthy life. This is especially true for infants, who rely on bacteria to digest their food and help them develop a strong immune system. But aside from bacteria, viruses are essential, as well.
“We need these viruses and bacteria. We need them. And in fact, long ago, the only way to treat bacterial infections were viruses that could actually infect bacteria and kill them, and [that’s how] Eli Lilly company from Indianapolis got its start. This giant pharmaceutical company … [was] called a bacteriophage company. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. And it turns out that viruses actually are really useful to us, as well. We have trillions and trillions and trillions of viruses in us right now.” – Dr. Steven Gundry
It’s easy to think of viruses as the bad guys — after all, some of them can make us very sick. But some viruses are actually beneficial to our health, and we need them to stay healthy. One such virus is called bacteriophage, or ‘phage’ for short. Phages are a special type of virus that attacks bacteria, and there are trillions of them in the environment. They play an important role in keeping our gut microbiomes healthy. So next time you hear someone say ‘virus,’ don’t be so quick to dismiss it — some of them are actually good for you!
How We Can Protect Our Immune System During Uncertain Times
It’s no secret that we’re living in uncertain times. Every day, it seems like there’s a new headline about the next global pandemic or crisis. And while it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and scared, it’s important to remember that we can all do our part to protect our immune systems.
“So the first thing you do is to absolutely stay away from simple carbohydrates. And I can tell you that if it’s in a package, it is probably a simple carbohydrate, even what would appear to be healthy. … So you stay away from simple carbohydrates.” – Dr. Steven Gundry
Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for the body. There are two types of carbohydrates — simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are easy to digest and provide quick energy, while complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and provide sustained energy. It’s important to make sure you’re eating the right kind of carbs, as simple carbohydrates can cause weight gain and other health problems.
“And what’s really scary in times of pandemics is [that] the grocery store shells are empty of bread, and bagels, and pasta, and tomato sauce, … and milk, and ice cream, and orange juice. — There are five to six teaspoons of sugar in a cup of orange juice. … And the best way to suppress your immune system is sugar. Sugar absolutely suppresses white blood cell function.” – Dr. Steven Gundry
Think you’re doing your body a favor by loading up on sugar? Think again. Consuming too much sugar can actually suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses and diseases. So if you’re looking for ways to stay healthy in times of pandemic, steer clear of the sweet stuff. Instead, focus on fueling your body with nutritious foods that will help keep your immune system strong. You’ll be glad you did!
Boosting Your Immune System
Are you feeling run down and exhausted? Most people chalk it up to stress or a busy schedule, but what if it’s something more? What if your immune system is low and needs a boost? And if your immune system is weak, it’s time to take some steps to boost it! There are many things you can do to give your body a fighting chance against sickness.
“So what boosts the immune system? It turns out that olive oil — the polyphenols — … actually really boosts the immune system. So … mushrooms, in general, … will actually boost your immune system. And it does that actually by having the sort of complex sugars that your gut bacteria really [wants and needs.]. And so it’s more of an indirect effect. You give your gut bacteria what they want and need; they, in turn, will [boost the immune] system.” – Dr. Steven Gundry
Think mushrooms are just for pizza and salads? Think again! These fungi have some pretty amazing health benefits, including boosting your immune system. Researchers are still studying all of the ways mushrooms can improve our health, but it’s clear that they’re worth adding to your diet. So add some mushrooms to your next meal and boost your immune system today!
Why You Should Listen to This Dr. Steven Gundry Podcast Episode Right Now…
I hope you enjoyed this episode and found it rich in information and knowledge that you can apply to your life right now. If you did enjoy it, please subscribe to The School of Greatness on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. We really love seeing the reviews on what people enjoyed the most about these episodes. Also, you can make an impact on someone’s life today by sharing this podcast and literally change and save a life, especially right now when people need the right information about their health in times of pandemic, stress, and crisis.
This interview is packed with so many words of wisdom from our special guest, Dr. Steven Gundry. Follow Dr. Steven on social media to get more insights from him. He’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Subscribe to his YouTube Channel, as well, for access to his videos on health and diet. If you want more of his videos, you can access his podcasts here, and if you want to get a copy of his books, check out his website and order a copy of his latest release, Unlocking the Keto Code, where Dr. Steven unveils the revolutionary science of Keto that provides more benefits without deprivation.
I’m so grateful that you’re here, and I’m also grateful that you continue to apply these lessons to help improve your life. I want to let you all know that I appreciate you and love you so very much. And as always — it’s time to go out there and do something great.
To Greatness,
Some Questions I Ask:
- What are specific ways to heal your heart without surgery? (7:20)
- What’s the difference between a good virus and a bad virus? (18:03)
- What are the foods that heal leaky gut and defend against viruses? (28:50)
- Why is peanut butter such a bad thing? (37:25)
- What boosts the immune system? (59:43)
- Is it possible to have such a strong immune system that you can reject any virus? (1:06:40)
- How important are probiotics right now? (1:09:35)
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why fixing the heart medically can only help your health so much (1:06)
- Why we need germs and bacteria to stay healthy (13:45)
- The benefits of time-restricted feeding (20:25)
- What causes aging (23:17)
- How mental illness comes from the gut (43:30)
- Why food labels can’t be trusted (49:20)
- The importance of human connection for your heart during a time of social distancing (1:12:55)
- How bacteria choose who you are attracted to (1:15:01)
- Plus much more…
Connect with
Dr. Steven Gundry
Transcript of this Episode
Music Credits:
Music Credit:
Kaibu by Killercats
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