Cate Shanahan, MD, (known as “Dr. Cate”) is one of the most influential medical thought leaders to come along in a generation. Her books, interviews, and publicity around the LA Lakers diet have helped to inspire entire movements involving bone broth, live-culture ferments, organ meat consumption, and seed-oil-free business empires. Today’s top health influencers have adopted her core nutrition principles of seed oil avoidance, quality carb consumption, and ancestral eating.
Leading the Charge Against Seed Oils
Seed oils muck up our biology by depleting our cellular antioxidants and promoting oxidative stress. They accelerate the process of aging, shorten our lifespans, promote tissue inflammation and organ dysfunction, and make daily life more difficult.
Her insights into the metabolism-destroying effects and oxidative harms of seed oils have profoundly influenced the medical community.
She has personally discussed these topics with the noted health professionals list below. Each one has since adopted seed oil avoidance as an essential part of their dietary recommendations.
- Casey Means, MD
- Georgia Edes, MD
- Drew Pinsky, MD
- Shawn Baker, MD
- Andrew Weil, MD
- Robert Lustig, MD
- Jeffrey Gerber, MD
- Rangan Chatterjee, MD
- Aseem Malhotra, MD
- Robert Oh, MD
- Jason Fung, MD
- Robert Lufkin, MD
- Paul Grewal, MD
- Paul Saladino, MD
- Joe Mercola, DO
- Ken D. Berry, MD
- Phil Ovadia, MD
- Mark Cucuzella, MD
- The Family Physician known on Twitter as @SeedOilDsrspctr
- And many more.
Considering this broad direct and indirect influence, it’s safe to say that tens of millions of people around the world have upgraded their diets due in large part to Dr. Cate’s scientific acumen and tireless advocacy.
Dr. Cate has also worked one-on-one with professional athletes, including legends like Kobe Bryant, Aaron Judge, Kyle Lowry, and Dwight Howard. Her influence, both direct and indirect, has led millions worldwide to improve their diets, thanks to her scientific expertise and relentless advocacy.
She has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the dangers of seed oils, shifting the conversation from near-complete ignorance in 2002 to a point where figures like RFK Jr. are discussing the topic as a major strategy to “Make America Healthy Again” to audiences of over a billion people. Her mission is to help everyone, regardless of their financial situation, break free from the cycle of sickness and drug dependence.
Her work focuses on preventing and reversing a range of metabolic conditions, including:
- Overweight and obesity
- Prediabetes and diabetes
- Cancer
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus)
- Cholesterol and blood lipid issues
- Hypertension
- Arthritis
- Chronic fatigue
- Fatty liver
- Neuropathy
- Headaches
- Poor circulation
- Macular degeneration
- Asthma
- Allergies
Dr. Cate holds a BS in Biology from Rutgers University and trained in biochemistry and genetics at Cornell University before attending Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She practiced in Hawaii for ten years, where she studied ethnobotany and her healthiest patients’ culinary habits. Her research and experiences in these fields culminated in her writing Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food. Additionally, she collaborated with Dr. Tim DiFrancesco and NBA legend Gary Vitti to create the PRO Nutrition program for the LA Lakers, forging a partnership with Whole Foods Market and several NBA teams.
In May 2018, she was hired by ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, a progressive family-run company focused on health improvement, to lead their Metabolic Health Center of Excellence. Dr. Cate also serves as the Medical & Scientific Advisor at CB Supplements, overseeing their premium-grade multi collagen peptides, and advises beliv, a forward-thinking Latin American beverage company.
based on Deep Nutrition Principles. Go Lakers!
“Nearly every disease I see is the inevitable product of a deranged metabolism. When metabolism is imbalanced it allows accumulating life stress (emotional, toxic, infectious) to divert your health down a wrong turn. Our first order of business working together is to get your metabolism turned around and back onto the safe road.
“While technologic interventions and pharmaceuticals work well as a last resort of after injuries and accidents, rehabilitation of a distressed metabolism requires a holistic, natural approach using a host of natural modalities. I’m excited to join forces with Primal Blueprint because I believe Mark Sisson and his team present the most sensible and effective strategies to enjoy real-world success with eating strategy, exercise success, stress management, and overall optimal gene expression.”
– Dr. Cate Shanahan
Dr. Cate’s impact extends beyond the medical community and professional athletes. Her dietary recommendations have transformed lives, as evidenced by numerous testimonials:
- Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers: “We trust Dr. Cate implicitly. I’ve seen great results from it since I started doing it last year.”
- Steve Blake, LA Lakers: “Everything they’re telling us makes sense, and [Shanahan] has science to back it up. I used to have stiffness in my knees, but not anymore.”
- Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets: “[PRO Nutrition] prolongs our lives, and generations after us will be healthier because we eat healthy.”
- Chris Kaman: “I’ve definitely noticed my joints aren’t as sore, aren’t as stiff when I wake up.”
- Jason Wachob, Founder & Co-CEO of mindbodygreen: “Dr. Cate celebrates the deep connection to nature that food provides and beautifully illuminates the scientific realities of that connection.”
- JoAnne Lordahl, Author: “Working with Dr. Shanahan, I’ve radically changed my diet. I feel tons more energy, my high blood pressure is better, and my joint pain is gone.
WE CANNOT BELIEVE THE CHANGES! My parents call us to talk about buying grass-fed liver and to brag about their awesome food and lifestyle upgrades. I am SO HAPPY that you were able to help them transition. We got such a kick out of the phone calls) – “Did you know that sugar feeds cancer?” I am more than impressed by the depth and bredth of Dr. Shanahan’sknoweldge. More importantly, as the daughter of one of her patients – I am amazed by her effectiveness. Dr. Shanahan listens carefully to my mother’s concerns and clearly shares and explains health-saving information. In a few short weeks, my mother transformed from a life-long junk food eater to a nutritional maven. She is losing excess weight, showing large improvements in her blood work and – most critically – strengthening the systems of her body to help her as she undergoes chemotherapy and surgery in her ongoing fight against cancer. As a family, we are fortunate beyond measure to have Dr. Cate in our corner!
– Lizzie Harris McCormick, PhD. Long Island City, NY
I have suffered from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and a myriad of other sports injuries off and on for 30 years. I always attributed it to running too much, being active, getting older etc. etc. Not only did Dr Cate heal my ailing joint and tendons but my skin looks amazing! That coupled with the anti- inflammatory diet has cleared up my adult cystic acne as well and we are well into the dog days of summer in Atlanta. Usually by this time of year my skin is a mess as and I am happy to say it looks and feels great. My body feels happy!
– Pattie Blohm, Milton, GA
In a matter of six weeks I lost six pounds, my blood sugars are in much better control, my blood pressure dropped from the 140/80 range to 112/72, I feel much less hungry and have a lot more energy. I’m not really eating a lot less, but rather a lot different.
– M Davis, Manchester, NH
Articles about Dr. Cate and the professional athletes she has worked with:
Dwight Howard:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24370416
Here’s part 2, about Paleo/Primal:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24373097/nutrition-in-the-nba-part-ii-paleo-diet-taking-hold-for-variety-of-reasons
References:
1) http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24370416
2) http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24370416
3) http://www.ocregister.com/articles/shanahan-527039-diet-food.html
4) http://www.ocregister.com/articles/shanahan-527039-diet-food.html
5) http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24370760/nutrition-in-the-nba-part-i-dwight-howard-qa
6) http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24370416
Dr. Cate’s interest in nutrition began with her own experiences as a competitive athlete, where she struggled with injuries. After pursuing molecular biology at Cornell University, she realized that the complexity of our inner biology required a more holistic approach than what biotechnology could offer. This led her to attend medical school and later move to Hawaii, where she discovered the concept of “genetic wealth” through her patients’ traditional culinary practices.
Dr. Cate studied the local culinary traditions, discovering a world of nutrient-rich foods hidden from most Americans. She realized that traditional food practices, often associated with subsistence farmers, held the key to health and longevity. These insights became the foundation for her book Deep Nutrition, where she explores the connections between food, beauty, genes, and health.
Disclosures
This is the personal website of Dr. Cate Shanahan. She occasionally receives compensation from companies for reviews or affiliate income from book purchases and select products. Speaking honorariums support her research. Guest writers may contribute content based on their expertise.
What is your opinion of walnut oil? There are people out here suggesting it’s great for all sorts of ailments. I’m reading Dark Calories and find it very informative but you have nothing on walnut oil.
It falls under “unrefined tree nut oils” listed with the good fats on page 316
More info here; https://drcate.com/list-of-good-fats-and-oils-versus-bad/
Would love to talk to a nutritionist as my husband has been diagnosed as diabetic. Would love to/need to learn what and how to cook to help in this life changing disease. We live north of Dallas close to the red river and can’t seem to find a dietitian near us Thank You!
Dr. Cate right now I am reading your book DARK CALORIES and am impressed. This is medicine the way it should be, but there is no profit when the patient gets better.
Hello Dr. Cate, I am writing to you from Germany and would like to know whether you have any experience treating insomnia with food recommendations? I have already read your book Deep Nutrition and am starting to apply some of your basic principles. Thanks for your thoughts on insomnia. Uli
Yes insomnia can improve! Many people experience stress hormone surges during the night as their blood sugar levels start to drop. When your blood sugar stabilizes (insulin resistance reverses) this should improve dramatically. Of course sleep is complicated and many other factors can also contribute to insomnia.
Hello Dr.Cate,
Thank you for your incredibly important work. What a gift you are to your generation and many generations to follow! I wonder if you have written anywhere about breastfeeding and, specifically, factors affecting the return of a woman’s cycle, i.e. could there be any theories behind why some women regain their cycle within weeks (while exclusively breastfeeding) whereas other women may still be waiting for their cycle for up to 3 years (while breastfeeding less as time goes on of course). It is an area that does not seem to provoke much discourse online or in books beyond “every woman is different”. I find it fascinating and would be particularly interested to know if it has always been this way in generations past. I understand in many cultures women would have (and still do) breastfeed for many years, and I wonder if it is common/normal for fertility to be on pause until weaning has fully/mostly occurred. Maybe there is more variation today because of issues you discuss in your work, or perhaps there has always
been a natural and inevitable degree of variation from woman to woman. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts or signposting you might be able to provide me with.
Very best wishes (from Ireland!),
Emer