Naturally occurring toxins in food, Nightshade and chronic pain (arthritis)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

What?? The FDA doesn't regulate the nightshade?? How am I gonna get to sleep now?

http://www.healthknot.com/natural_food_toxins.html

Nightshade glycoalkaloids are also capable of damaging cell membranes, from endoplasmic reticulum, needed for cellular detoxication and protein synthesis, to sodium and calcium channels, crucial for proper cardiovascular function. But all this may and may not affect you. The mechanism of action of these glycoalkaloids is determined by their level in the body, and individual mode and level of sensitivity. The rate of body accumulation from their very low food level also varies individually, which only makes more unpredictable when and how they will affect you - if ever.

It is still fairly obscured as to how much nightshade toxicity contributes to the epidemic of degenerative diseases we are witnessing. However, practical research study by Dr. Norman Childers indicates that it is the major factor in 3/4 of those suffering from unexplained chronic pain, be it arthritis, back pain, bad shoulder, sciatica, tendonitis, muscle pain, fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. While it is an old injury, or degenerated bone or joint that usually gets the blame for the pain, most often it is caused by the inflammation spurred by nightshade glycoalkaloids injuring vulnerable cells in these compromised body areas.

When caused by nightshade toxicity, arthritic symptoms can be cleared by avoiding consumption of nightshades in any form and amount for up to 3 months. Relief can come much faster, but if it doesn't it is necessary to stay on course for full three month in order to be able to rule out nightshade toxicity.

Nightshade-free diet has to be meticulously planned and executed, considering how many foods, condiments and supplements contain these widely used plants. Even minute amounts can trigger symptoms that may last for weeks.

[BeFree]

1. Tomatoes? Nightshades, right?

And what the heck is a glyco-alkaloid?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Breath mints?? nt

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Lectins and insulin if you are interested.

http://www.healthy-eating-politics.com/toxins-in-food.html

# Lectins: toxic protein compounds found in most foods, but in heavy amounts in many seeds, grains and legumes. Large amounts of lectins can damage the heart, kidneys and liver, lower blood clotting ability, destroy the lining of the intestines, and inhibit cell division. Cooking neutralizes lectins to some extent, and digestive juices further destroy them. People living at high altitudes, where water boils well below 212 degrees should cook lectin containing foods in pressure cookers to avoid lectin poisoning. Lectin toxins in food are found in:

* Grains, especially wheat and wheat germ but also quinoa, rice, buckwheat, oats, rye, barley, millet and corn, and all products made from them (oils, vinegars, alcohols, flours, etc..)
* Legumes (all dried beans, including soy and peanuts and the products made from them)
* Dairy foods, if the cows producing the milk are fed grains instead of grass (this would include most commercial milk products)
* Plants in the Nightshade family, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.

The lethal toxin Ricin is made from castor beans, which contain large quantities of a particularly deadly lectin. Raw black beans contain enough lectins to kill rats in one week. This article discusses in depth the health effects of lectin consumption.

In addition, this paper discusses the ability of lectins to bind to insulin receptors on your cells, enabling the transport of glucose into the cell, much like insulin does. The import of this is that even vegetables and nuts, which are staples in a low carb diet, can stall weight loss if they contain active lectins which mimic insulin.

[Warpy]

4. That one's been around for a long time

and it's more properly a solanine free diet, solanine being the toxin in nightshade plants and why tomato leaves aren't suitable salad ingredients.

Unfortunately, the evidence is still anecdotal. I have friends with serious auto immune diseases who swear by it. I swore at it since it was a pain in the neck and didn't do a thing for me.

It's one of those things that's crying out for real, double blind studies.