From the author of the New York Times bestselling Plant Paradox series comes this revolutionary take on the keto diet that debunks common myths and shows readers how to reap the rewards of keto with less restriction
Like many doctors and nutrition experts, bestselling author Dr. Steven Gundry has long endorsed the ketogenic diet―a style of eating that heavily restricts carbohydrate intake to make the body burn fat for fuel. Because ketosis offers a variety of health benefits, including weight loss, reduced risk of illness, and enhanced energy, Dr. Gundry believed his patients’ efforts to adhere to the challenging regimen was worthwhile. That is, until his research uncovered a shocking truth: We’ve gotten keto all wrong.
In Unlocking the Keto Code, Dr. Gundry reveals the biological mechanism that makes keto diets so successful: a cellular process known as “mitochondrial uncoupling.” As it turns out, ketones are not the magical fuel source they’ve been made out to be; in fact, the body cannot run on ketones and fats alone. Over the long term, a very low carb-diet can lead to muscle wasting and poor cognitive health, making it difficult to achieve true metabolic flexibility.
Luckily, you don’t have to restrict all carbs to reap the benefits of ketosis; you simply have to have enough ketones and other plant compounds called polyphenols present in your body to “unlock” the process of mitochondrial uncoupling. In this insightful, empowering, and eminently practical book, Dr. Gundry explains the many ways readers can ignite this process, from feasting on plant-based foods (carbs that are typically off-limits on a keto diet!) to enjoying ketone generating foods such as goat and sheep milk products, to implementing a time-restricted eating schedule. You will even discover the real reason how superfoods, even apple cider vinegar, work their magic; and its not what they you think!
Grounded in cutting-edge science, this guide to healthy keto is for all the people who have tried and failed on a keto diet; for vegetarians and vegans who want to go keto; and for anyone who wants to lose weight and enjoy better health while eating a wide variety of foods. With food lists, hacks, and all-new recipes, Unlocking the Keto Code makes going keto easy and enjoyable for the first time.
So, how can you reap the rewards of ketosis―including sustainable weight loss and renewed energy―while eating a wider variety of delicious, plant-rich foods?
- The Truth About Ketones: Discover why ketones are not a "super fuel" and learn their true role as powerful signaling molecules that instruct your body to waste calories and repair itself.
- Mitochondrial Uncoupling: Uncover the groundbreaking science that is the real secret to the keto diet’s success, a cellular process that helps you boost your metabolism and protect your long-term health.
- A Diet with Less Restriction: Enjoy an expanded food list that includes plant-based carbs, goat and sheep milk products, and polyphenol-rich superfoods typically forbidden on a standard keto plan.
- Time-Restricted Eating: Implement a simple, flexible eating schedule that enhances ketone production naturally, giving your body the time it needs to activate its self-repair mode.
- Practical Tools for Success: Put this revolutionary approach into action with easy-to-follow food lists, meal-planning hacks, and all-new recipes for delicious meals you'll actually enjoy.
Steven R. Gundry, MD, is the director of the International Heart and Lung Institute in Palm Springs, California, and the founder and director of the Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara. After a distinguished surgical career as a professor and chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at Loma Linda University, Dr. Gundry changed his focus to curing modern diseases via dietary changes. His bestselling books include The Gut-Brain Paradox, Gut Check, Unlocking the Keto Code, The Energy Paradox, The Plant Paradox Family Cookbook, The Longevity Paradox, The Plant Paradox Quick and Easy, The Plant Paradox Cookbook, and The Plant Paradox, and has written more than three hundred articles published in peer-reviewed journals on using diet and supplements to eliminate heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and multiple other diseases. He is the host of the top ranked nutrition podcast Dr. Gundry Podcast and founder of Gundry MD, a wellness brand. Dr. Gundry lives with his wife, Penny, and their dogs in Palm Springs and Montecito, California.
