by Dr. David Peterson
Harmful chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the food we eat and drink cause foodborne illnesses. Many of these toxic chemicals are naturally occurring. New research speculates many apparent causes of bacterial food poisoning may actually be lectin poisoning.
What are Lectins? The majority of lectins are of plant origins found in plant seeds, legumes, grains, and night shades. Many plants produce toxic chemicals that influence the behavior, growth, or survival of plant eating enemies. These anti-nutrients are essentially low-grade toxins. Lectins, when consumed at low levels, are slightly irritating. When eaten in moderate quantities, lectins become damaging.
What is the Genetically Modified Foods Connection? Researchers have been experimenting with inserting the gene for certain lectins normally found in one species of plant into other species as way of increasing resistance to pests or disease. Lectins are naturally toxic. But this practice of adding additional lectins to the number of naturally occurring lectins contributes to the negative effects Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) have on humans.
What Do Lectins Do To The Body? Lectin interference has implications even beyond lectin food poisoning. After being eaten, lectins are known to cause immune stimulation, inflammation and uncontrolled cell growth. Lectins bind with the gastrointestinal lining, particularly the villi, of the small intestine causing intestinal damage with impaired cellular repair potential and cellular death- (Imagine a cockabur moving through your intestinal tract). Damage to the intestinal villi reduces the absorption of other nutrients, minerals and protein. In addition, since the gut lining is damaged, there is limited space for beneficial bacteria to attach, which in turn, allows certain harmful bacterial strains like E. coli to run rampant. But the most insidious affect lectins can leave in their wake is leaky gut because lectins inhibit membrane repair and are toxic to wounded cells.
Cytokine Induced Sickness Behavior (CIBS). CISB individuals report loss of appetite, listlessness, fatigue and malaise, little interest in social activities, significant changes in sleep patterns, inability to experience pleasure, and may have exaggerated responses to pain and lack of focus. Once a cytokine sickness or acute autoimmune condition has started dietary changes alone like Paleo or Gluten-free will not reverse the invisible illness.
CISB are complicated cases. They must be treated “low and slow” to not provoke any pro-inflammatory immune or excitatory neurotransmitter response. Most suffer from a neurotransmitter imbalance as well. Critical to patient improvement and recovery is the use of the Neuroscience NEI Gold test. Each patient’s immune status must be determined and a Lectin Free Diet is an essential first step. For more on lectins visit my blog at stlwa.com.
Do you suffer from an invisible illness? We can help. www.stlwa.com. 636-227-4949.