Lectin-Free Diet: Is It Right for You?

Are you thinking about starting a lectin-free diet? Before you start any new diet, you will always want to make sure that it is right for you and your body. GoBiotix put together this article to help you decide if going lectin-free will work for you. 

Eating food containing lectins might be why you are experiencing digestive issues. Many people are unable to digest lectins, which will instead then damage your cells and cause damage to your metabolism.

The lectin-free diet requires that you remove foods that are high in lectin from your diet. So, how do you know if it is right for you?

What is the Lectin-Free Diet?

The lectin-free diet was created by Steven Gundry, M.D. He believes that lectins cause many issues and physical problems in people. One of the most important being that they cause leaky gut syndrome.

Food intolerance can cause problems for many people. It can lead to inflammation and celiac disease, or other symptoms that might include nausea after eating. If you often feel sick after a meal, you might want to consider going lectin-free and seeing if that changes anything about your health.

This diet is best for those who are sensitive to foods that have a high amount of lectin in them. If you experience bowel and gut issues, then trying the diet to see if there are any improvements can be a good idea. You will also want to talk to your doctor to figure out what exactly is causing your symptoms.

Benefits of Going Lectin-Free

The lectin-free diet is very beneficial to those who have digestive tract issues, such as Crohn’s disease or colitis. This is because lectins can harm your digestive processes when they attach to the cells in your body. People who already have GI issues can benefit from avoiding them.

If you are experiencing digestive problems, then trying the diet can help alleviate some symptoms. For instance, it can help with a “leaky” gut and chronic fatigue. Keep reading to learn more.

Who Benefits the Most?

Those With a Leaky Gut

If you have a leaky gut, then you might benefit from going lectin-free. This is when the lining on your intestines does not stop bad bacteria, waste, or food particles from escaping into your bloodstream. Some signs of a leaky gut include bloating, cramps, gas, skin issues, migraines, and an irritable bowel problem.

In many cases, lectins are causing the problem by affecting the cells in your intestines- making them “leak”. If you are experiencing these symptoms, then going lectin-free might be a great option for you. You can heal your gut with the proper probiotics while on the diet for the most benefits.

Those With Fatigue

Do you suffer from fatigue? Trying a lectin-free diet may be able to help you get some of your energy back. This is because lectins are part of your body’s autoimmune response. When you feel tired, your immune system might be working hard.

Our Lectin Defense can support the health of your digestive system. It is designed to block lectins that interfere with your body and cause problems. It works by forming a protective barrier in your GI tract so that if you do consume lectins, the problems will not be as severe.

A lectin defense supplement is great if you want to practice a lectin-free diet, but still are experiencing gut issues. It can be difficult to memorize what you can and can not eat with this diet, since many foods contain lectins. Our defense supplement can save you some time and some worry when it comes to eating.

Those Who Experience Frequent Nausea

If you have problems with lectins, then it might also come to you in the form of nausea. If you feel sick after eating certain foods, then you might be having issues with the lectins inside of it. If you feel extremely nauseous after eating something, then you may also have a leaky gut on top of intolerance for that kind of food.

It can be helpful to keep a food diary when going on a lectin-free diet. You can keep notes on what you ate and how you reacted to it. If you start noticing a trend of food that is making you feel sick, then you will know what foods to avoid in the future.

What Food Contains Lectins?

A lectin-free diet can help relieve stomach issues, as long as you are certain to eat nothing with lectins in it. This diet might also be good at lowering your inflammation levels. A wide variety of foods contain lectins, so you will need to know what to avoid. 

Different people can tolerate different levels of lectins as well. However, even if you still consume a small number of lectins, it will be beneficial for you to avoid these foods that are high in lectins:

• Legumes
• Grains
• Squash
• Wheat
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes

Taking a lectin defense supplement can make it easier for your body to handle some lectins. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, then you might not be able to cut all of those above foods out of your diet, since what you eat is already very restricted. 

Because of that, a lectin-free diet might not be the best for a vegetarian or a vegan. You should consult with your doctor before making any major changes to what you eat daily.

Foods to Eat While Lectin-Free

While on a lectin-free diet, fruit can be eaten occasionally. Foods that you want to eat more of include avocados, sweet potatoes, green vegetables, and free-range meats. You can also benefit from increasing your intake of prebiotics.

Prebiotics are essential to the health of your gut, meaning that they can repair it while you are going lectin-free. It is important that you are getting enough fiber as well while on the diet. Our Prebiotic Fiber Boost can work wonders at helping those who have digestive issues.

Our supplement will help promote optimal digestive function- increasing your energy levels and supporting brain function. This will help with the brain fog that comes with leaky gut, among many of the other symptoms. 

Is It Right for You?

The lectin-free diet is best for those who are experiencing leaky gut syndrome or other signs of food intolerance. Otherwise, you will probably not get many benefits from starting the diet. 

Health experts are still researching lectins and the effects of eating them. Many people do not eat a lot of lectins during the day. This is because they are often deactivated when they are cooked thoroughly. However, if you already have digestive problems, then you will feel better eating fewer lectins and getting more prebiotics in your diet.

If your gut is healthy, then you will likely not notice any changes. Those with food sensitivities can benefit from trying this diet, however.

Conclusion

To summarize, lectins are a type of protein that the body has trouble digesting. They can negatively impact your gut health. This is especially true if you are already suffering from problems with your gut. Those with IBS, Crohn’s disease, or leaky gut syndrome can benefit from trying the lectin-free diet.

If you have any questions about our products, then be sure to reach out to us. Our team at GoBiotix would love to help you find the best supplements to improve your overall gut health.

External Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-lectins 

https://humanfoodbar.com/plant-paradox-diet/best-prebiotic-foods-lectin-free/