It is disenchanting to see a respected former cardiac surgeon sink to the level of being a pusher of questionable supplements. Expertise in surgery is not connected to expertise in nutrition which is a different field altogether. “Vital Reds” is a mix of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and a variety of polyphenols extracted from fruits and vegetables. It is not unique: there are hundreds of such products vying for the public’s attention and money. What they have in common is a lack of compelling evidence of benefit.
Some fifteen years ago, as Gundry explains, he left surgery because he discovered that lives could be turned around more effectively with “polyphenols” than with a scalpel. The revelation came from an overweight patient with blocked arteries who managed to clear up the blockages with a diet of exotic fruits and dietary supplements. Gundry was so impressed that he left surgery to open up a couple of natural healing centers. Perhaps a pot had appeared at the end of a rainbow that was accessible without the drudgery of surgery
To get our attention, Gundry first tells us that he will start by revealing the three “superfoods” we should never eat. Never mind that “superfood” is a marketing term, not a scientific one. But before telling us what these three foods are, we have to listen to a litany of woes about how people today lack energy and struggle through the day and repeated urgings to make sure to watch the video to the end. After a few torturous minutes, we learn that the foods that we must avoid at all costs are soybeans, anything that contains lectins and, of all things, goji berries. This comes after we were earlier told that polyphenols are the answer to all of life’s problems. Well, soy contains a truckload of polyphenols as do goji berries. There is no reason to avoid these foods. As far as lectins go, these are a type of protein with various biological effects some beneficial, some not. Digestion problems can crop up with overindulgence in lectin-containing foods, but since numerous grains and legumes contain lectins, avoiding them is a near impossibility and a non-necessity.
Then comes the big sales pitch for polyphenols. You would think that it was Gundry who discovered that these compounds are found in food and that they may have some physiological significance. In fact, polyphenols have been extensively researched for over fifty years because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Polyphenol intake may indeed be a reason people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables are healthier than those who don’t, or the benefit may just be due to what they eat less of, like refined grains or meat. Anyway, Gundry moans about how expensive polyphenol-rich foods like berries are, and how concentrated extracts are the way to go. Of course, none of the multitude of existing extracts meet his exacting criteria. (Such as that he is not profiting from them.) But this saviour has found a company capable of producing a supplement that contains all the polyphenols an energy-deprived person needs to restore vitality. He has seen remarkable changes in his patients who have been doped up on these supplements! Maybe so, But there is not one iota of published evidence. The same goes for his metabolism boosting and probiotic products.
The interminable video then treats us to pictures of decrepit seniors who are models for what will happen to us if we don’t invest in the Gundry supplements. And then comes the hard sell with various discounts being offered if we order within the next few minutes (nonsense of course because the video is on the web to be viewed at any time) and great bargains to be had if we sign up for a lifetime supply. Gundry’s zealotry for “Vital Reds” is distasteful. But a bowlful of berries does taste good, whether they are good for us or not.
The website declares: “The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” That pretty well says it all.
