How to Reduce Lectins in Your Diet
Lectins 1 — sugar-binding plant proteins that attach to cell membranes — may be a hidden source of weight gain and ill health, even in an otherwise healthy diet. In fact, since lectins are present in most plant foods, if you're eating a whole food diet yet find yourself still struggling with weight gain and/or stubborn health problems, lectins may well be a hidden culprit. Many lectins are proinflammatory, immunotoxic, neurotoxic and cytotoxic. Certain lectins may also increase blood viscosity, interfere with gene expression and disrupt endocrine function. The problem with recommending an altogether lectin-free diet is that this would eliminate most plant foods, 2 which should ideally make up the bulk of your diet. Moreover, in small amounts, some lectins can be quite beneficial, 3 so 100% avoidance is likely neither possible nor ideal. They key then becomes finding a happy medium where the worst lectins are avoided, and the eff...