Are The Foods You’re Eating Making You Sick?

by Carolyn Pierini, CLS, (ASCP), CNC

Some people can tell when a particular food they ate disagreed with them and they will avoid it, while others, without noticing it, have been eating foods that have been slowly eroding their health. This is because they have become used to the symptoms of low grade inflammation in their GI tracts. Many common symptoms are really the result of the lectin interactions with our immune systems. An example of a common lectin, that many have heard of, is gluten or gliadin. Some of the post-meal reactions to lectins are:

• Headaches, brain fog, lack of concentration
• Skin problems such as itchiness, eczema, and acne
• Water retention, puffiness around the eyes, extremities
• Bloating—a very common symptom
• Easy weight gain and stubborn weight loss
• Chronic fatigue and post-meal fatigue
• Chronically clearing throat and excess mucous
• Respiratory symptoms like chronic, (non-illness) coughing
• Joint stiffness and pain (particularly in the morning)
• Urinary weakness or chronic inflammation or infection
• Abdominal pain and gas with meals, excessive belching (lectins can also lower the HCL levels impairing digestion)
• Gastric reflux and upset stomach
• Irritable bowel and spastic colon
• Hyperactivity
• Sinus problems, itchy nose, congestion and post-nasal drip
• Insulin shifts affecting blood sugar balance