While most of the world seems to be touting the benefits of whole grains these days, a few people are insisting that grains are not as healthy as we think.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons grains may be a problem in human nutrition is because they contain lectins, a class of molecules called glycoproteins (molecules that contain a protein and a sugar).<\/p>\n
While dietary lectins are known in the scientific and nutritional communities, most lay people and even many medical professionals don\u2019t know about them.<\/p>\n
Lectins are involved in food allergies\/sensitivities, inflammation and autoimmune disease, just to name a few.\u00a0 For instance, lectins are linked to celiac disease. Even weight gain and low energy can be linked to lectins.<\/p>\n
Whole grains, peanuts, kidney beans, and soybeans are high in lectins. Cow\u2019s milk, nightshade vegetables (like potatoes and tomatoes) and some seafood also contain fairly high amounts of lectin.\u00a0 In fact, estimates are that about 30% of our foods contain lectins, and about 5% of the lectins we eat will enter our circulation.<\/p>\n
Lectins are problematic because they are sticky molecules that can bind to the linings of human tissue, especially intestinal cells.\u00a0\u00a0 In so doing, they disable cells in the GI tract, keeping them from repairing and rebuilding.1<\/sup>\u00a0Therefore, lectins can contribute to eroding your intestinal barrier (leaky gut).<\/p>\n Because the lectins also circulate throughout the bloodstream they can bind to any tissue in the body \u00ad\u2014 thyroid, pancreas, collagen in joints, etc.2<\/sup>\u00a0This binding can disrupt the function of that tissue and cause white blood cells to attack the lectin-bound tissue, destroying it. This is an autoimmune response.\u00a0 The lectins in wheat for example, are specifically known to be involved in rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n But why do only some people react to the lectins in foods while others can eat them with no apparent problems?\u00a0\u00a0 There are two answers to this question.\u00a0 First, many people may be having problems but they just don\u2019t realize it.\u00a0 For example, autoimmune thyroiditis could be caused by dietary lectins.6<\/sup><\/p>\n As another example, many of our patients who thought they had no food intolerance at all have experienced much improved energy and weight control when they eliminated wheat and dairy.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t realize until after they eliminated these foods that they were being affected by them.<\/p>\n But certainly many people tolerate these foods \u2014 why?<\/p>\n