Lectins

Chia seeds contain very low amounts of lectins, making them safe for most people including those sensitive to lectins in other seeds and legumes. Gluten is itself a lectin. Nightshade vegetables are presented as foods that may cause inflammation and cravings for one person while not affecting another. Lectins damage the gut lining, creating intestinal permeability known as leaky gut. Abdominal pain on keto is often caused by lectins, plant defense proteins found in vegetables, beans, and peanuts. Lectin exposure may affect ghrelin, insulin, anxiety, and inflammation in susceptible people. Genetic susceptibility determines whether nightshade vegetables cause inflammation and provoke cravings; those without that susceptibility may tolerate them without issue. Lectins may disrupt ghrelin and insulin signaling and increase anxiety. Lectins may be a major fasting trigger for some susceptible individuals. Lectins are plant compounds that can irritate the colon lining, especially in individuals with existing gut inflammation. Most people tolerate lectins without issue. Lectin-sensitive individuals may experience aggravated inflammation. Individuals with leaky gut or existing gut inflamma…