There’s a compelling sentence in the book by Dr. Steven R. Gundry on the connection between the gut and the brain. In considering addictions, he wrote, “Our brains are under the direction of our microbiomes. We need not feel guilt or shame because of an addiction or a brain alteration.” He asserts that addictions or other brain illnesses are not our fault. They result from the bacteria in our gut, also known as the microbiome.
Bacteria in the Gut
In “The Gut-Brain Paradox: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog, and Reverse Disease by Healing Your Microbiome,” Dr. Gundry declares that it’s this microbiome that drives our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It’s a bold statement for sure, but the book’s subtitle has the potential to be a game-changer for millions.
Tiny microorganisms do a lot more than simply digest food; they have a direct bearing on the activity in the human brain. Calling upon new research and patient experiences, Dr. Gundry provides the evidence and latest findings to show that today’s diet creates havoc in the gut, leading to inflammation in the brain.
Dr. Gundry agrees with Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine: “All disease begins in the gut.” However, he goes a step further and warns that “death begins in the gut.”
Disrupting the Microbiome
By using a targeted approach to healing , many diseases can be prevented and possibly reversed. Dr. Gundry recommends dietary changes, restoring the proper communication system in the gut, and supplementation. Dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s are just three examples.
The current mental health crisis, including the assortment of addictions and the increase in autism, adds to the problem. All are considered the “terrible cost” of disrupting the job of the microbiome. Besides the food we ingest and the overuse of antibiotics, environmental toxins found in household products and pesticides destroy this essential human element.
The book describes three patients: a woman diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; another with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which causes dizziness upon standing; and a third who was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Each left Dr. Gundry’s office with a protocol of selected foods and supplements. They all recovered. All three, he says, were suffering from the same disease, but it was manifesting in different ways. The symptom they had in common? A disruption to the microbiome.
Dr. Gundry has a well-established reputation in the treatment of gut issues, including leaky gut and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Presently, he directs the International Heart and Lung Institute in California; he also founded GundryHealth, where he focuses on curing modern diseases through dietary changes and supplementation.
He has a large social media profile and is the author of nine books, some of which are New York Times bestsellers. As the founder of an online supplement company that also sells skincare and food, his intentions may be somewhat suspect.
In his defense, Dr. Gundry provides comprehensive arguments and research in the book that gives legitimacy to his claims. When considering the scope of diseases that his advice can prevent or reverse, the suggestions in these pages deserve attention.
Illness Paradox
His use of the word “paradox,” perfectly describes the way illnesses have been treated and, in some cases, how some treatments have made things worse. For example, a buildup of amyloid plaque has been seen as the culprit in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. His view is that its presence is actually “meant to protect the brain from pathogens.” Medicines that remove the plaque may be interrupting the body’s natural way of keeping the brain healthy.
Dr. Gundry’s book is long on medicine jargon, acronyms, and Latin phrases, especially when discussing the variety of bacteria. Understanding these explanations on the first read may be a challenge. However, just when it gets too complicated, Dr. Gundry stepped back and inserted a simpler description for readers. For example, in explaining what happens when a function of the body becomes overwhelmed, he turned to the classic “I Love Lucy” episode in the chocolate factory. As the chocolates continue to pass with nowhere to go, Lucy hilariously stuffs them into her hat and dress. Such is the case when “dysfunctional” proteins start to build up in our cells. This accumulation leads to dysfunction and cell death.
There’s plenty of food for thought on these pages. For those suffering from any of the diseases listed, or has a loved one at risk, Dr. Gundry offers well-informed advice on what to eat, what supplements to consider, and even to consider an intermittent fast. These topics can be discussed at your next doctor visit.
(Harper)
‘The Gut-Brain Paradox: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog, and Reverse Disease by Healing Your Microbiome’
By Steven R. Gundry, MD
Harper: April 15, 2025
Hardcover, 272 pages
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