Lectin poisoning is a type of food poisoning that is caused by consuming lectins.
Lectins are proteins that are found in plants which can be harmful to humans in certain circumstances.
Symptoms of lectin poisoning include stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
Foods that contain the lectins include wheat, castor beans and kidney beans.
Wheat lectin can have negative effects when consumed in high concentrations or when consumed raw.
Castor beans contain ricin which is a potent lectin poison.
Kidney beans contain phytohaemagglutinin which is a lectin that can cause your red blood cells to clump together.
Eating kidney beans that are raw or undercooked can cause lectin poisoning.
The lectins can also cause changes in your stomach and intestines including denudation and epithelial cell necrosis.
Lectins can also bind to the walls of your digestive system and can cause increased permeability, leaky gut syndrome and seeping bowel syndrome.
Most lectins are not harmful to humans and many foods that do contain lectins are a good source of nutrients.