Lectins and Autoimmunity
Lectins, what are they and what is all the buzz about them? Are they good or not so good for us? Have you ever wondered why you might be feeling bad after eating what you thought was a healthy meal? Whether or not they are good for you or not depends on the individual. Do you have an autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Lupus or Diabetes? If so, Lectins aren’t going to be your best friend. If you don’t have an autoimmune disease then the foods they are found in are a wonderful addition to your daily diet if they are prepared properly. Although lectins can be good for some individuals, they can also cause a lot of us discomfort for others.
I hope the following brief explanation of what lectins are and how they can be good or bad will be helpful or insightful to you as it was for me. I’ve learned that I do best without them myself. It took me years to find this out and I wish I would have been informed about it when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the young age of 14. Fibromyalgia comes with IBS, joint pain, fatigue and all sorts of problems. The Dr. I visited did say that I would feel better with a good diet and regular movement but that was the extent of it. My diet from then on was full of legumes, whole grains and the other vegetables that lectins are found in. I even went as far as being vegetarian for 2 years. But I still fought the inflammation, joint pain, fatigue and discomfort that comes with IBS. I can certainly tell you that once you figure out what is causing this in your body and you eliminate it you will feel like a new person!
What are lectins? Lectins are a protein that binds to carbohydrates and are known as an “anti-nutrient.” Lectins are found in plants, however, the highest amounts are found in raw legumes. Some common foods they are found in are potatoes, eggplant, soybeans, lentils, peppers, wheat germ, red kidney beans, peas, tomatoes, peanuts, cashews, corn, conventional raised meat that eat corn and grain, vegetable oils and dairy. Now this doesn’t mean you can’t eat these foods. If you want to eat legumes they can be cooked properly and that will reduce most of the lectins in them. This is done by using dried legumes and soaking them for several hours and then boiled for several hours. Now, if you already have an autoimmune disease such as IBS, IBD, RA, Lupus or Diabetes then your most likely better off just leaving these foods alone so you can feel your best.
https://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-lectins
Lectins job is to defend plants from pests and insects. This super power they have is what causes havoc in our digestive systems as they resist digestion. Lectins don’t break down easily and can thrive in our bodies for a long time. They attach themselves to cells that line our intestines. This interferes with the breakdown and absorption of nutrients our bodies need and can affect the good bacteria in our gut.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25599185
Some of the symptoms lectins cause are:
nausea
vomiting
stomach pain
diarrhea
bloating
gas
fatigue
joint pain
skin changes
They can also contribute to obesity and chronic inflammation.
Lectins can also be good for some individuals! They can help immune regulation and can fight off staph infections and E. coli as well as some viral and fungal infections. Over all lectins can be a very healthy addition to our diets but in moderation and if you don’t have any autoimmunity already. If they are properly prepared they can be very nutritious, just keep in mind to soak, sprout and ferment.
Get your free soaking & sprouting guide below!
For Fermenting click on the below link for a great guide.
https://www.amazon.com/Noma-Guide-Fermentation-lacto-ferments-Foundations/dp/1579657184
