The Dr. Gundry Podcast – Episode 382.B

Episode Title: The 3 Types of Arthritis (and the warning signs!) – Dr. G’s Quick Health Tip
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Steven Gundry (via PodcastOne)

Episode Overview

In this "Quick Health Tip" episode, Dr. Steven Gundry breaks down the three most common types of arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. He explores their underlying causes, links to inflammation and leaky gut, and challenges common misconceptions, especially the idea that arthritis is an inevitable part of aging or merely "wear and tear." Dr. Gundry also offers clinical insights, interpretation of diagnostic tests, and an inspiring patient story. The content reflects his signature approach: treating inflammation through diet and lifestyle, rather than long-term reliance on medication.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Types of Arthritis and Their True Causes

• Three Main Types:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Autoimmune in nature.
  • Osteoarthritis: Commonly thought of as "wear and tear."
  • Psoriatic Arthritis: Also autoimmune.

• Misleading Advertising:

  • Dr. Gundry refutes the imagery in pharma commercials ("band playing, happy people") as unrealistic depictions of people living with autoimmune arthritis.

    “Nothing could be further from the truth.” (00:46)

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis – Beyond Joint Pain

• Autoimmunity & Leaky Gut:

  • RA isn’t a "mistake" by the immune system; it’s the result of molecular mimicry triggered by intestinal permeability. Foods introduce compounds that resemble joint tissue, inciting the immune response.

    "It’s actually not a mistake at all. It’s an activation of your immune system caused by leaky gut." (01:39)

• Symptoms:

  • Joint pain and swelling common, but not required for diagnosis.
  • Notably, 50% of his RA patients have no joint pain (03:00).
  • First symptom can be a heart attack due to similar tissue linings in joints and blood vessels.

• Misdiagnosis and Overlap:

  • Many with an initial diagnosis of RA actually have lupus.
  • Dr. Gundry stresses inflammation is the root cause, rather than the specific disease label.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis & Autoimmune Treatment

• Common Treatments:

  • Immunosuppressive drugs used for both RA and psoriatic arthritis are fundamentally transplant medications.

    “When I see my patients with autoimmune disease on these immune suppressant drugs... first question I ask is ‘What transplant did you have?’” (07:11)

• Critique of Medical Approach:

  • Such drugs are necessary post-transplant but are excessive for symptom management:

    "That’s totally different than managing a symptom of joint pain." (08:19)

• Core Message:

  • All these arthritic conditions stem from inflammation via leaky gut. Fixing gut health should be the foundation of treatment, not lifelong medication.

4. Osteoarthritis – Not Just “Wear and Tear”

• Personal Clinical Observations:

  • Early in practice, Dr. Gundry noticed all heart surgery patients—even young ones—had osteoarthritis, challenging the idea it's just aging-related degeneration.

    “…everybody who I was operating on with coronary artery disease had osteoarthritis in their spine. Even young people, 36 years old…” (10:28)

• Shared Root With Heart Disease:

  • Osteoarthritis and coronary artery disease share a common cause: chronic inflammation from leaky gut.
  • There’s a strong correlation between needing joint replacements and heart procedures—each significantly increases the risk of needing the other within five years.

• Key Quote:

  “The process that caused your heart disease is the same process that caused your arthritis. They’re identical.” (11:02)

5. Diagnostics and Missed Diagnoses

• Recommended Tests:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid Factor (RF), anti-CCP3.
  • Autoimmune survey: ANA (antinuclear antibody), ENA panel (covers multiple markers for lupus and psoriatic arthritis).

• Why Comprehensive Testing Matters:

  • Many patients are misdiagnosed or incompletely screened. Missing tests like ENA can mean missing the real source of autoimmune arthritis.

• Key Warning:

  “…arthritis of any type is not a normal part of aging. Your joints aren’t wearing out like an old car. This has to do with leaky gut.” (13:59)

6. Lifestyle Over Medication: Real Results

• Drugs: Short-Term Use Only:

  • Immunosuppressive drugs can be helpful early, but should not be a permanent solution due to side effects.

• Clinical Success:

  • Dr. Gundry boasts a high success rate for patients resolving symptoms through lifestyle:

    “…94% of people with these autoimmune conditions within a year are off of their medications and symptom free.” (14:41)

• Patient Story – “Jerry”:

  • Jerry, in his 60s, planned for a knee replacement and received cardiac clearance.
  • After starting Dr. Gundry’s “Plant Paradox” program, Jerry canceled the surgery because his pain disappeared. Ten years later, he’s never needed a knee replacement.

    “He literally jumped off the exam table and skipped around the room to show me.” (15:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Nothing could be further from the truth.” – On the happy, smiling arthritis patients portrayed in drug commercials. (00:46)
• “It’s actually not a mistake at all. It’s an activation of your immune system caused by leaky gut.” (01:39)
• “50% of my patients with blood test proven rheumatoid arthritis do not have joint pain.” (03:00)
• “The process that caused your heart disease is the same process that caused your arthritis. They’re identical.” (11:02)
• “Arthritis of any type is not a normal part of aging. Your joints aren’t wearing out like an old car. This has to do with leaky gut.” (13:59)
• “94% of people with these autoimmune conditions within a year are off of their medications and symptom free.” (14:41)
• “...a miracle like Jerry is well worth seeing. And that’s why I’m showing you this. Because I’d like to see a miracle in your life too.” (16:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:24 – Introduction to the three types of arthritis
• 01:39 – Molecular mimicry & leaky gut as cause of RA
• 03:00 – Heart attack as first sign of RA
• 06:20 – RA misdiagnosis and the overlap with lupus
• 07:11 – Critique of immunosuppressive drug use
• 10:16 – Osteoarthritis shares roots with heart disease
• 11:02 – Explanation on inflammation and its sole origin: leaky gut
• 13:59 – Debunking arthritis as normal aging
• 14:41 – Clinical outcomes: symptom-free without medication
• 15:06 – The “Jerry” knee replacement story
• 16:16 – Closing reflections on witnessing health miracles

Summary Tone

Dr. Gundry maintains an approachable, slightly irreverent, and authoritative tone. His emphasis is on hope, evidence-based optimism, and empowering listeners to seek root-cause solutions—not just symptom management. He uses real patient examples and challenges conventional wisdom, especially around the inevitability of arthritis with aging and the overuse of immunosuppressive medications.

This summary encapsulates Dr. Gundry’s philosophy of treating (and even reversing) arthritis through gut health, personalized diagnostics, and nutritional intervention, with the aim of helping listeners reclaim symptom-free, active lives.