Podcast Summary: The Dr. Gundry Podcast – "Is Castor Oil the Magic Cure all? Plus, Olive Oil Buying Tips" | EP 384 | Dec 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Steven Gundry dives into three hot topics in the world of oils: how to buy genuinely healthy olive oil (and common mistakes to avoid), the truth behind castor oil's recent TikTok-fueled resurgence, and whether canola oil deserves its notorious reputation—or if organic versions offer health benefits. Dr. Gundry blends myth-busting, practical shopping advice, and stories from his decades-long medical practice, aiming to empower listeners to make healthier choices in their kitchen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Olive Oil: Tips & Common Mistakes

([01:24]–[11:14])

• Olive Oil is Widely Misunderstood

  • "The oil you cook with every day can either support your metabolism, your gut and your longevity, or quietly work against all three." ([01:24])

• Top Five Olive Oil Mistakes

  1. Ignoring Origin:

     • Single-source oils from reputable regions (Italy, Greece, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia) are best. Avoid blends or ambiguous labels like "packed in Italy."
     • "Olive oil is shipped in tankers like gasoline… when you see multinational oils… run the other way." ([02:57])

  2. Buying "Light" Olive Oil:

     • "Light" refers to flavor, not calories—these are highly refined and lack beneficial polyphenols.
     • "If you see the word light, you know you're not going to get any benefit from that olive oil." ([05:07])

  3. Saving it for Special Occasions:

     • Olive oil doesn’t age like wine or vinegar. Use it within 1–2 years of bottling for best health benefits.
     • Fun fact: Greeks consume ~26 liters per person per year! ([06:44])

  4. Plastic Bottles:

     • Olive oil should be in dark glass or metal. Plastic allows in light and can leach microplastics due to olive oil's acid content.
     • "The last thing you want is an olive oil in plastic. Do not be fooled." ([08:08])

  5. Incorrect Storage:

     • Store in a cool, dark place—not by the stove or over the oven.

• Proper Use Advice

  • Have two olive oils on hand: a quality but less robust one for cooking, and a higher-grade extra virgin for drizzling or salads.
  • Olive oil’s smoke point is not a concern for health or oxidation—as cuisines around the world have cooked with olive oil for millennia.
  • "Four out of the five blue zones cook their food in olive oil. That ought to tell us something." ([10:47])

2. Canola Oil: Rethinking the Controversy

([12:26]–[20:54])

• Why the Reputation?

  • Most negative attention is due to how conventional canola oil is processed—heavy glyphosate (Roundup) usage, not the oil’s fat profile itself.
  • "The industrial version is [the enemy]. If you choose cold pressed organic canola oil, you get a great source of alpha linolenic acid..." ([19:52])

• Organic Makes the Difference

  • Organic canola oil, grown without synthetic herbicides, is rich in monounsaturated fat (like olive oil), has a balanced omega 6:3 ratio, and contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—a heart-healthy, plant-based omega 3.
  • Dr. Gundry highlights the influential Lyon Heart Diet Study:
    • Those consuming rapeseed oil margarine (similar to canola) had fewer heart attacks than those on a standard low-fat diet, suggesting ALA’s cardiovascular benefits. ([15:13])
  • "Just remember, it's not just what we eat, it's how the food that we eat is grown, sourced and processed." ([20:37])

• His Evolving Stance

  • Dr. Gundry once advised against canola oil (e.g., in The Plant Paradox), but now clarifies that high-quality, organic canola is a sensible option.

• Other Noted Oils

  • Perilla and Ahiflower oil: also rich in ALA.
  • "Omega 6 fats are not evil... they're essential." ([17:50])

3. Castor Oil: Fads vs. Facts

([20:54]–[30:08])

• History & Traditional Use

  • Used as a laxative for centuries—"it works really good as a laxative."
  • Recently hyped on social media as a belly button remedy for digestion, cramps, and more.

• Debunking the Belly Button Trend

  • Claims about 72,000 nerves connecting through the navel have no anatomical basis. As a surgeon, Dr. Gundry says, "There is an old ligamentous connection between the belly button and the liver... but there are, unfortunately, nothing there but ligamental scar tissue. Not 72,000 nerves." ([22:24])
  • No scientific evidence for systemic effects from topical navel application.

• Other Claims Evaluated

  • Weight Loss: Oral use will cause "apparent" weight loss by emptying the bowels—"That’s not real weight. That’s just flushing out all your gut buddies, which doesn’t sound like a very good idea."
  • Menstrual Cramps/Bloating: Only anecdotal and placebo effects.
  • Gallbladder Cleanses: Impossible to pass huge gallstones as claimed online—"Whatever she passed, it wasn’t gallstones." ([28:19])
  • Skin: Safe and moisturizing; good for local irritation.

• Usage Precautions

  • Always do a patch test for topical use.
  • Oral ingestion should be done with caution—strong laxative effect and potential cramping.
  • Not safe for pregnancy or as a "cleanse."

• Memorable Quote:
  "Putting it in your belly button isn’t going to hurt you, but it’s probably not going to do any miraculous things besides a great placebo effect." ([29:10])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The only purpose of food is to get olive oil in your mouth." — Dr. Gundry ([06:32])
• "If you see the word light, you know you’re not going to get any benefit from that olive oil." — Dr. Gundry ([05:07])
• "Olive oil is the least oxidizable oil there is. Far better than even avocado oil or coconut oil." ([10:02])
• "Organic canola oil, a seed oil, isn’t the enemy. The industrial version is." ([19:52])
• "There is absolutely nothing new about castor oil. Despite what you may have seen with health influencers and TikTok videos, castor oil has been around for centuries." ([20:54])
• "Placebo effect is incredibly powerful… There’s nothing wrong with a placebo effect. We use it all the time to good use." ([24:55])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Main Olive Oil Buying & Usage Tips: [02:57]–[11:14]
• Canola Oil—Myth Busting & Guidance: [12:26]–[20:54]
• Castor Oil Deep Dive (Claims vs. Science): [20:54]–[30:08]

Listener Q&A Highlights

• Question of the Week ([30:08]): Is sugar-free pomegranate juice healthy?
  • Dr. Gundry: "If you see the words sugar free on a juice, that's saying there was so much sugar in here already... we didn't have to put any more in... No, pomegranate juice sugar free is not anything you want to come near. Pomegranates are great, but fruit juice is a bad idea."

Conclusion

Dr. Gundry delivers a practical, science-based, and occasionally humorous take on three oil-related wellness trends. He urges listeners to become savvy shoppers—prioritizing single-origin, extra virgin olive oils, not fearing organic canola oil, and treating castor oil for what it historically is: a strong laxative and skin soother, not a miracle cure. The clear, myth-busting approach equips listeners to make confident choices in their daily routines.