LECTINS & ANTINUTRIENTS

Plant Defence Chemicals Are Attacking Your Gut.

Lectins — carbohydrate-binding proteins found in grains, legumes, nightshades, and many seeds — are plant defence compounds designed to deter predation, and they achieve this partly by binding to gut epithelial cells and disrupting intestinal integrity. Dr Steven Gundry's research has linked high-lectin diets to autoimmunity, leaky gut, weight gain resistance, and joint inflammation. Phytic acid, oxalates, saponins, and protease inhibitors represent additional classes of antinutrients that impair mineral absorption and damage gut mucosa, particularly significant in individuals with compromised digestive capacity.