by JOSEPH COHEN, CEO, SelfHacked, Updated: Apr 19, 2017
How to Know If You're Lectin Sensitive
There is no 'smoking gun' for lectin sensitivity. There are only markers that make you more likely to be lectin sensitive.
Here's a list of symptoms that are common in people with lectin sensitivity. Lectin sensitivity is on a spectrum, where people are sensitive to it in varying degrees. The more symptoms you have, the higher the likelihood of lectin sensitivity. This list is not comprehensive:
- Gut problems– IBS, IBD…This includes Gas/Abdominal discomfort/Irritated GI tract….This is why an elemental diet has a high cure rate for Crohn's.
- Bloating – as a result of inflammation and CCK.
- Autoimmune conditions – IBD, arthritis and Hashimoto's are probably the most common…
The following are other common symptoms. My current thinking is that lectins are similar to tissues in the hypothalamus, brain stem and other areas in the limbic system. Lectins may cause some autoimmune reaction, which dysregulates the hypothalamus.
I am reasonably confident that dysregulation of the hypothalamus is taking place in most of my sensitive lectin clients. I'm just not sure if it's because lectins are binding to sugars in these tissues or if our immune system starts getting confused and attacks them.
- Fatigue in the day – even with 8 hours of sleep. Especially post-meal fatigue – from hypothalamic dysregulation
- Brain Fog – from hypothalamic dysregulation
- Lower BMI – usually….Sometimes people with excess BMI have it…those who try to lose weight but can't no matter what they do or how little they eat…People with mold issues will sometimes gain weight as a result of lower MC4R.
- Cold intolerance- as a result of low T3, increased sympathetic nervous activity and from hypothalamic dysregulation,
- Low blood pressure– as a result of hypothalamic deregulation and brain stem oxidative stress,
- Immune imbalances (Th1 dominant or Th2 dominant or Th17 dominant) or any autoimmune condition- very common.
- Excessive anxiety, perfectionism, procrastination, paranoia, OCD and in the inability to let go of thoughts – as a result of hypothalamic dysregulation. These are also indicative of high glutamate and low serotonin.
- Skin problems – indicative of an immune imbalance. Skin problems can include various fungi, eczema, psoriasis, etc…
- Not handling glucose or carbs well (getting hypoglycemic often). Lectins cause havoc on your limbic system, including your hypothalamus, which controls glucose homeostasis.
- Some joint discomfort, even if small… Dr. Gundry [famous heart surgeon[ says that synovial tissue is very similar to lectins and your immune system gets confused [thus attacks it].
- Pain in random places like back aches, etc…. (that aren't a result of a serious injury, obviously) – from increased inflammation.
- Water retention, puffiness around the eyes, extremities – from increased inflammation
- Some types of headaches/migraines – from increased inflammation
- Sleep and circadian issues – as a result of hypothalamic dysregulation and from increased inflammation
- Post-nasal drip
- Tonsilitis
- Th1 OR Th2 dominant
Cannabanoids-CNR1: The Lectin Sensitive Gene (rs1049353)
This is the most significant gene that causes lectin sensitivity in my view.
This SNP is so correlated to lectin sensitivity that I call it the "Lectin Sensitivity Gene."
Studies indicate that the gut nervous system is the main site of CB1 receptors (R).
Only about 14% of the global population will have a T allele, but about 40% of whites have a T allele.
About 85% of my clients who don't have an infectious issue have the T or minor allele. Even among my white clients who have infections, they are still more likely to have the minor allele.
See my post on The Lectin Sensitive Gene.
MTHFR (rs1801133, rs1801131)
This is the second most important gene involved in lectin sensitivity.
Usually, people will have two minor MTHFR C677T alleles OR one minor allele of this SNP and a minor allele of MTHFR A1298C.
There're many ways that this could cause lectin sensitivity. Folate is very important for gut function (R) and the MTHFR SNPs require higher methylfolate intake.
Methylation supposedly breaks down histamine in the gut. Histamine in the gut causes increased intestinal permeability.
So under methylation will increase the likelihood of lectin-sensitivity.
Since these SNPs are associated with anxiety disorders, it could also have some indirect effects through over-activation of the nervous system.
COMT V158M (rs4680)
I suspect the A allele of this COMT SNP causes more psychological stress, which leads to an overactivity of the nervous system.
SOD2
The SOD2 SNPs will contribute to lectin sensitivity risk via increasing superoxide.
Glycine
Glycine decrease gut inflammation and oxidative stress. Problems with the glycine transporter are common amongst my clients.
rs3791124 Glycine A=0.1619 AG
STAT3
STAT3 gene will cause increased gut inflammation and also make you more likely to be thin.
rs9891119 STAT3 C=0.3714 CC
JAK2 (rs10758669)
C=intestinal permeability.
MHC
MHC SNPs will increase likelihood of immune activation….
- rs2395185 MHC/HLA-DR T=0.2929 TT
- rs10484554 MHCI…HLA-C T=0.1112 CT
- rs3135388 MHCI…HLA DRB1*1501 A=0.0429 AG
- rs3135391 MHCI…HLA-DRB1*1501 A=0.0463 AG
NRF2
NRF2 genes – mice without Nrf2 have increased intestinal permeability (R).
Circadian SNPs
rs1801260 CLOCK G=0.2181 AG – this SNP…
Each G=higher activity levels in the evening, lower motility, lower HR, lower diastolic BP, delayed breakfast time….these are common features in people who are lectin sensitive.
Others
There are many other SNPs that I found more likely in lectin sensitivity, but they're beyond the scope of this post. Suffice it to say that there's a wide range of genes that play into the degree of lectin sensitivity that you may have.
The point in bringing down examples of SNPs is so that you can get an idea of different classes of SNPs that will be more likely in the lectin sensitive.
To learn more about your SNPs, run a 23andme test and upload your raw data into SelfDecode.
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