Lectin reduction/avoidance diet: Thoughts? Anyone doing it?

[Golgotha]

I really don't have an educated opinion on lectins and MS, or other autoimmune diseases.

Neither do I; that's why I'm asking.

the people in all 5 Blue Zones (the healthiest people in the world), include beans and legumes as a staple food in their diets.

I had never heard of the Blue Zones until you mentioned them, but it was interesting to note that Gundry addresses that specific point about here in this video. His main points being that soaking beans destroys some of the lectins, and pressure cooking does the same but to a higher degree.

Perhaps some people have problems with lectin foods, just as some people have food allergies and sensitivities?

That's one point that he makes repeatedly: That cultures that eat a lot of tomatoes (one high lectin food) have developed cooking techniques to rid the foods of a great deal of the lectins; with his point being that with our modern diets and mass corporate-prepared foods we've tossed out much of old wisdom.

I get it that much of this and the level of details he goes into could easily fall into the category of pseudo-science or quackery. On the other hand, reading about MS diets for years it's often said in other completely un-related diets that the same types of foods (e.g. peppers, nightshades, gluten) could be sources of allergies that could exacerbate MS symptoms. What hits home with me is that those various potential "allergens" also are pretty high in lectins.

Gundry's various "rationales" could possibly address this, hence me being curious about whether anyone else has tried this.

[KoKo]

Hi Golgotha ~

I really don't have an educated opinion on lectins and MS, or other autoimmune diseases.

Ironically, though, the people in all 5 Blue Zones (the healthiest people in the world), include beans and legumes as a staple food in their diets.

Perhaps some people have problems with lectin foods, just as some people have food allergies and sensitivities?

Take Care

[Daisycat]

I'm a firm believer in the idea that there are ties/links between MS and our diet.


I doubt we'll find a magical cure from diet, but I'd happily eat sawdust and drink cat urine if it'd mean a substantial improvement.

A big advocate of the lectin theory of diet to address auto-immune disorders is Dr. Steven Gundry who runs a website, has a YouTube channel and has written books on the topic.

What I'm curious to get is feedback about this lectin theory, and especially from anyone who might have tried this type of diet. Anyone?

I am going to have to look into this. I also believe that our diets play a huge role in this. I am going to have to research this more tonight.My diet is already pretty restrictive , but I am with you I'd live off sawdust and cat pee if it meant I never have an issue with this.

[Temagami]

When I read about lectins, donīt remember where, I gave up red kidney beans. That was about 7 years ago. Those were the highest lectin food that I had been eating on a regular basis. My understanding is that plants produce lectins with the purpose of making the critter that eats them feel ill so that they wonīt eat them. By carefully cooking, you can lower the lectin content of legumes.

[Golgotha]

I'm a firm believer in the idea that there are ties/links between MS and our diet.

Some believe that MS and many other auto-immune diseases are caused by "gut" issues; that the intestines have issues which allow "food particles" (for lack of a better term; I'm not a doctor/researcher) into the bloodstream which eventually get into the brain and cause the auto-immune response that gives us MS. Like it or not, that's one theory.

I doubt we'll find a magical cure from diet, but I'd happily eat sawdust and drink cat urine if it'd mean a substantial improvement.

A big advocate of the lectin theory of diet to address auto-immune disorders is Dr. Steven Gundry who runs a website, has a YouTube channel and has written books on the topic.

What I'm curious to get is feedback about this lectin theory, and especially from anyone who might have tried this type of diet. Anyone?