Lectins Are They Damaging Your Health?

Did you know that there’s a type of protein found in certain plant foods that can have both positive and negative effects on your health?

These proteins are called lectins, and they can be found in legumes, beans grains, and some vegetables.

While they do promote cell growth and differentiation, they can also interfere with nutrient absorption in your body. When lectins bind to sugars and carbohydrates in your digestive tract, they can prevent your body from properly absorbing these vital nutrients.

This can lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals, such as iron and calcium.

These little proteins have been found to cause inflammation and damage to the cells in your intestine.

This can result in uncomfortable digestive issues like bloating, gas, and even diarrhea.

Recent studies have revealed that lectins may also be a contributing factor to autoimmune disorders. By binding to cells in the body, lectins can trigger an immune response, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

This may be particularly problematic for individuals with autoimmune disorders, who already have an overactive immune system.

HOW I CAME ACROSS LECTINS

Let me share with you how we stumbled upon lectins. It all started when I (Debbie) was plagued with a severe case of psoriasis on my hands.

It was a painful experience, and my ability to perform daily tasks was next to none, due to the cracking and bleeding on my hands. However, I did manage to evade the tedious task of washing dishes – every cloud has a silver lining! 

Despite my efforts, the condition persisted for months, and it was then that we realised psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. Paul, being the problem-solver that he is, suggested that I follow an auto-immune diet that he had.

I love a challenge and looked forward to seeing if this would work or not!

 I then discovered that my chronic sinusitis (which I have had for years) and getting worse, was not just a health issue, but also an autoimmune disease!

It’s fascinating how the medical field is constantly evolving and uncovering new information about these diseases. 

To add to the intrigue, I learned that my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) could also be immune-related. With potentially three autoimmune diseases, I was more motivated than ever to prioritise my health and find ways to manage my conditions effectively. 

So when I first looked upon the autoimmune diet, I was perplexed! Turns out, it involved eating meat and here I was, proudly calling myself a vegetarian for over 2 years.

But as they say, health is wealth, and I couldn’t take any chances. So, to give you a glimpse, I had to bid farewell to dairy, wheat, tea, coffee, pasta, rice- you name it! All I was left with was fruits, veggies, salads, and of course, meat and fish. 

At first, I felt incredibly drained and unenergetic for a few days, and I also had some serious hunger pangs. But you won’t believe what happened next- it worked like magic!

By the end of the second week, my hands were so much better, and my sinuses weren’t giving me such a hard time anymore. I was gobsmacked, to say the least!

By the Third week I was suddenly filled with an abundance of energy, and my skin and hair began to glow!

It’s amazing how much the right food can affect our bodies, and my hands were almost 80% healed! I couldn’t believe it! I also experienced minimal sinus issues during this time. It’s quite fascinating really But I also think that going vegetarian made me sicker and I am going to explain why.

Read more about lectins/autoimmune

Lectins, agglutinins, and their roles in autoimmune reactivities

Read more here about chronic sinusitis/autoimmune…

Researchers Show Chronic Sinusitis Is Immune Disorder; Antifungal Medicine Effective Treatment — ScienceDaily

LECTINS WERE MAKING ME SICK!

So we switched to vegetarianism around two years ago, this led to an increase in lentils, beans, chickpeas, rice, and other foods high in lectins.

However, what we didn’t know at the time was that as someone with an autoimmune condition, these foods that contain lectins were worsening my health! It’s surprising to think that our efforts to be healthier were actually causing harm to my body.

 Basically consuming lectins can be challenging for your digestive system and may even damage your gut wall, leading to a condition known as a leaky gut syndrome.

This condition allows substances from your intestines to leak into your bloodstream, leading to widespread inflammation that can have significant impacts on your overall health. So as we are now learning, lectins can cause inflammation, which can lead to many different diseases as well as autoimmune ones.

INFLAMMATION AND DISEASES

Inflammation can be a natural and necessary response of the body’s immune system to fight infection or injury. However, chronic inflammation can also contribute to the development of a wide range of diseases. Some of the common diseases that are caused or exacerbated by inflammation include:

• Arthritis: Inflammation in the joints can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, leading to arthritis.

• Asthma: Chronic inflammation of the airways can cause asthma, which leads to difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing.

• Diabetes: Inflammation can impair insulin sensitivity and cause insulin resistance, leading to type 2 diabetes.

• Heart disease: Inflammation in the blood vessels can cause atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque that can lead to heart disease.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract can cause IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

• Alzheimer’s disease: Chronic inflammation in the brain can contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Psoriasis: Inflammation of the skin can cause psoriasis, which leads to red, scaly patches on the skin.

• Multiple sclerosis: Inflammation in the brain and spinal cord can cause multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the nervous system.

• Cancer: Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer.

Many other diseases are linked to chronic inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Parkinson’s.

REDUCING INFLAMMATION NATURALLY

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection, or irritation. While it can be helpful in the short term, chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues. Here are some ways to help reduce inflammation:

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Include foods that are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, fruit, and vegetables. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and trans fats.

• Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help reduce inflammation. Aim for at least 20/30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

• Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can increase inflammation. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

• Manage stress: Chronic stress can lead to inflammation. Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, or yoga.

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase inflammation.

• Consider supplements: Some supplements, such as turmeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help reduce inflammation. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

It’s important to remember that inflammation can be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you have persistent inflammation, it’s important to talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.

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Lectins and Depression/Anxiety

One way that lectins can affect mental health is by causing inflammation in the gut. When lectins bind to the cells lining the intestines, they can trigger an immune response that leads to inflammation. 

When the gut lining is compromised, it allows harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream, including toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Additionally, some research has suggested that lectins may interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients that are important for mental health, such as tryptophan and folate.

Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. Folate is a B vitamin that is important for the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

When lectins interfere with the absorption of these nutrients, it can lead to imbalances in brain chemistry that can contribute to depression and anxiety.

Lectins may also affect the gut microbiome, which has been shown to have a significant impact on mental health.

The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract and play a role in various bodily functions, including digestion, immune function, and mood regulation. Disruptions to the gut microbiome have been linked to depression and anxiety.

It’s important to note that not all lectins are bad for mental health, and some may even have a positive effect.

For example, lectins found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can benefit mental health. However, for those who are sensitive to lectins or have a history of gut issues, limiting or avoiding high-lectin foods, such as beans and grains, may be beneficial.

Overall, while the relationship between lectins and depression and anxiety is still being studied, there is evidence to suggest that lectins can impact gut health, nutrient absorption, and the gut microbiome, which in turn can affect mental health.

Read more here depression/inflammation… Inflammation of the body may explain depression in the brain – The Washington Post

Read more about lectins and diseases… Do dietary lectins cause disease? – PMC

It cannot be emphasised enough that lectins can have varying effects on your health. Their influence can be very beneficial, but can also be detrimental, especially if you are living with an autoimmune disease or a chronic illness.

If you suspect that inflammation is playing a role in your condition, you must seek medical advice.

Your doctor may recommend a CRP blood test, which is a helpful diagnostic tool for identifying inflammation in the body, and remember to always consult with your healthcare provider regarding any concerns about your health and diet.

If you would like a copy of the autoimmune diet that I’m on, just shoot me an email and I’ll gladly share a copy with you. Of course, before you embark on this journey, it’s important to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider to ensure that it’s the right fit for you. 

I’m currently keeping a close eye on my progress, and I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop. As I start to reintroduce different foods into my body, I’ll be sure to share the outcomes with you. Wishing you all great health!