Dr. Steven R. Gundry

Steven R. Gundry, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.C., is an American cardiothoracic surgeon , medical inventor, and author renowned for advancements in pediatric heart transplantation and minimally invasive cardiac procedures, as well as for promoting dietary interventions targeting plant lectins to address chronic health conditions. Graduating cum laude from Yale University and earning his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia , Gundry completed surgical residency at the University of Michigan before serving as Professor and Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Loma Linda University from 1985 to 2001. There, he collaborated with Leonard Bailey to perform more infant and pediatric heart transplants than any other team, set a record for the longest-surviving pig-to-baboon heart xenograft, and pioneered robotic-assisted surgery alongside early testing of implantable left ventricular assist devices.

Gundry holds patents for innovative cardiac tools, including the Gundry Retrograde Cardioplegia Cannula for preserving heart tissue during operations, the Skoosh Venous Cannula for minimally invasive access, and the Gundry Lateral Tunnel for repairing congenital heart defects in children. Transitioning from surgery in 2002 after observing patient recoveries through dietary changes, he founded the International Heart and Lung Institute and Center for Restorative Medicine, shifting focus to nutrition's role in disease prevention. His publications exceed 300 peer-reviewed articles primarily on surgical techniques, immunology , and emerging nutritional research.

Gundry's bestselling books, such as Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution (2008) and The Plant Paradox (2017), argue that lectins —proteins in grains, legumes, and vegetables —act as plant defenses that disrupt human gut barriers, inflammation , and autoimmunity when not properly prepared or in excess. These theories, drawn from clinical observations and preliminary studies, advocate lectin avoidance via pressure-cooking, fermentation, or elimination to mitigate conditions like obesity , diabetes , and heart disease. However, the lectin hypothesis has drawn scientific scrutiny for insufficient large-scale clinical validation, with experts noting that cooking neutralizes most lectins and that broad elimination risks nutritional deficiencies without proven benefits outweighing plant-based diets' empirical advantages.

Steven Gundry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1972, graduating cum laude with special honors in Human Biological and Social Evolution. He then attended the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, where he received his M.D. in 1977 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Following medical school , Gundry completed a surgery internship at the University of Michigan Hospitals in 1977–1978 and pursued residencies in general surgery and thoracic surgery at the same institution. His training included participation in a prestigious research program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he served as a clinical associate.

A key influence during his NIH tenure was cardiothoracic surgeon Andrew G. Morrow, who selected promising residents from general surgery programs for intensive two-year training in heart surgery, shaping Gundry's early expertise in cardiac procedures. This hands-on mentorship emphasized advanced surgical techniques and research integration, influencing Gundry's subsequent focus on innovative cardiothoracic interventions.

Gundry completed a surgery internship at University of Michigan Hospitals from 1977 to 1978, followed by a clinical associateship in cardiac surgery at the National Institutes of Health from 1978 to 1980. He then undertook general surgery residency at the same institution from 1980 to 1983 and cardiothoracic surgery residency from 1983 to 1985. After residency, he served as senior registrar in cardiothoracic surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children in London from 1985 to 1986.