You’ve probably heard of gluten, but you may not have ever heard of lectins. However they aren’t a new discovery.
In fact, as early as 1954 research talks of lectins sticking and clumping to your blood cells.
However, very few scientists made the connection between lectins… gluten’s ugly cousin… and digestive problems until recently.
The number of Americans developing food allergies and other digestive issues has continued to increase as lectin-filled foods have slowly taken over our diets.
According the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, many food allergies are actually immune system reactions to lectins—the little-known sticky proteins that are a part of a plant’s natural immune system and which provide a protective barrier for the plant.
The average American diet is loaded with lectins
It’s your genetic makeup that determines how and to what degree these lectins affect you, which explains why food allergies usually run in families.
Your ancestors simply didn’t eat the types of foods you consume today, and your immune system may not be able to handle the virtual avalanche of lectins in the typical American diet.
For example, today’s wheat contains nearly 90 percent more of the lectin called gluten than wheat produced two generations ago.
And if you also eat beans, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, legumes, milk products and eggs, your digestive system most likely experiences lectin overload.
Like gluten lectin leads to troubling symptoms
Since your body can’t digest or destroy these lectins, they’re free to roam your digestive tract, attaching to healthy sugar molecules that are needed for proper digestion.
Not only can this create a digestive nightmare of cramping, gas and diarrhea, but lectins can also cause…
- Headaches, brain fog and poor concentration.
- Bloating, puffiness and weight gain.
- Constant fatigue.
- Mucus buildup and repeatedly clearing your throat.
- Joint stiffness and inflammation.
- Unexplained illnesses.
So, what can you do to fight back against this lectin attack?
First, ask your doctor to check you for “anti-gliadin antibodies and endomysium antibodies,” and if either test is positive, request a “celiac panel” to rule out other serious digestive issues.
And be sure to include quality supplements in your daily diet regimen such as…
- N-Acetyl glucosamine (NAG),
- bladderwrack,
- okra powder,
- D-mannose,
- mucins,
- sodium alginate
- and pepsin.
By taking these steps, you can take back control of your body and your health, and once again enjoy the foods you love.
Michael Cutler, M.D. is a board-certified family physician with 18 years experience specializing in chronic degenerative diseases, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
A graduate of Brigham Young University, Tulane Medical School and Natividad Medical Center Family Practice Residency in Salinas, Calif., he serves as a medical liaison to alternative and traditional practicing physicians. His practice focuses on an integrative solution to health problems.
Dr. Cutler is a sought-after speaker and lecturer on experiencing optimum health through natural medicines and the Founder and Editor of Easy Health Options™ newsletter—a leading health advisory service on natural healing therapies and nutrients and is Medical Advisor for True Health™—America's #1 source for doctor-formulated nutrients that heal.
For more information visit www.truehealth.com.
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