You may not have heard of lectins, but they aren’t a new discovery. As early as 1954 research talks of lectins sticking and clumping to your blood cells.

However, very few scientists made the connection between lectins and digestive problems until recently…and 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 Attack of the 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 potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, legumes, milk products and eggs, your digestive system most likely experiences lectin overload.

Since your body can’t digest or destroy these lectins, they are 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.
• Unexplainable 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.

Printer-friendly version