London: It may not be such a good idea to eat tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers in excess. If a new study is to be believed, these foods contain a protein that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Steven Gundry, a heart surgeon and cardiologist from California said that he found a link between memory loss and lectins, which are found in cucumbers, tomatoes, whole grains, soy, grains, peppers, sprouted grains and some dairy products. Gundry said that such food could even lead eaters to develop dementia.
According to researchers, lectins are harmful to the gut and could cause a host of issues, and possibly memory loss.
England’s Dr Tom Greenfield examined the effects of lectins on different blood types and said that the protein can ‘absolutely’ play a role in brain disorders. He said the protein impacts people differently and the damage they can cause really comes down to a person’s genetics.
Greenfield explained that there is a specific link to blood types and avoiding all lectins is not possible because some might be good for some people and bad for others.
Greenfield further stated that lectins can change body, immune system and blood levels. They can block insulin receptors and over time this can affect blood vessels, even in the brain.
Another researcher Dr David Jockers said lectins have been shown to block nutrient absorption, which leads to problems.
“The resemblance of lectins to other proteins in the body and LPSs can cause the immune system to attack, leading to inflammatory reactions in the body, and health issues like leaky gut, brain fog, neuropathy, and autoimmune disease,” said Jockers.
