The #1 Missing Food for Autoimmune Disease Recovery

I have worked with autoimmune clients for over 3 years in functional medicine clinics and I can tell you the number one defining factor that made the most difference in recovery was something called glyconutrients. First, glyconutrients are amazing nutrients found in food which help to regulate the immune system. And second, they are powerful protectors of the intestinal lining which undergoes damage from lectins from improperly prepared foods. It is very important to understand first what causes autoimmunity and why harmful lectins in food should be avoided. I’ve written a complete blog post on lectins and how they cause leaky gut here.

Now if you have been avoiding lectin foods but haven’t incorporated glyconutrients, this might be just the “bread crumb” you are looking for to lead you to recovery. 

What are Glyconutrients?

Glyconutrients are the foods and nutritional molecules that provide healing saccharides, or sugars, also known as lectin-blockers to your body. There are eight saccharides that are essential, meaning they are required in the body. However, many of these saccharides are deficient in the modern diet, which might have something to do with skyrocketing rates of Autoimmune diseases. 

So these eight saccharides help make up glycoforms, such as glycoproteins and glycolipids, which cover the surface of all cells.  Some are sweet, some are bitter, and some are tasteless and they have a multitude of benefits on the immune system and improve cell to cell communication. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Glyconutrients are found in food and provide the body with eight essential saccharides that are healing

2. Glyconutrients improve cell to cell communication and benefit the immune system

Benefits of Glyconutrients

Cellular communication

Glyconutrients are found all over cell membranes. They are supportive of enzyme function in the body. Glyconutrients have been shown to improve receptor sites for hormones and other cellular communication. They also help block viruses from attaching to cells.

Immune system regulation

Research on specific glyconutrients like Mannose show they help prevent pathogens like E. Coli. from attaching to the cell. They also help regulate the immune system by stimulating the mobilization of different parts of the immune system depending on what the body needs. So regardless if you have a suppressed immune system (CFS) or an overactive immune system (autoimmunity), the glyconutrients have been shown to help the immune system regulate. 

Blood sugar regulation

Studies have shown glyconutrients help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin receptor sites. 

Healing tissue

Aloe contains an abundance of glyconutrients and has been effective in treating burns, rashes, psoriasis, and skin wounds. Another glyconutrient, glucosamine, has been shown to repair the mucosal-lining defensive barrier of the intestines and has been helpful in osteoarthritis and other joint pains.

Inflammation

Glyconutrients help the body neutralize oxidative damage by increasing glycoprotein enzymes that stimulate the production of the body’s own antioxidants. They have been supportive in reducing Asthma and lung conditions. These saccharides also help bind to lectins in the diet and prevent them from causing inflammation throughout the body.

Memory and nervous system

Glyconutrients help the membranes of cells communicate better which explains why essential saccharides play a role in improving nerve function and memory. The saccharide N-acetylneuraminic acid is particularly important for brain development and learning.

What are the eight essential saccharides?

1. Mannose

2. Glucose

3. Galactose

4. Fucose (not to be confused with fructose)

5. Xylose

6. N-acetylglucosamine

7. N-acetylgalactosamine

8. N-acetylneuraminic acid

These essential saccharides can be found in glyconutrients. Here are some examples of glyconutrients and glyconutrient containing foods.

Glyconutrients/Lectin Blocking foods

• Aloe vera

• Breast milk

• Bone marrow

• Bovine tracheal cartilage

• Carrots

• Coconut milk

• Leaks

• Cranberries

• Radishes

• Cordyceps/Reshi/shiitake/Turkeytail/maitake/oyster

• Garlic

• Onion

• Shrimp shells (Chitin and chitosan)- make a broth or grind up cooked and dried shells to use as a spice

• Okra

Glyconutrient Supplements

• Arabinogalactans (Larch arabinogalactan)

• Alpha and Beta-Glucans

• Acemannan 

• Pectins

• Active hexose correlated compound

• Inulin and oligofructose (derived from chicory, onion, artichoke and garlic)

• Letinan (derived from shiitake mushrooms)

• Ling Zhi-8 (derived from reishi mushrooms)

• Maitake d-fraction

• Polysaccharide K (PSK) and Polysaccharide P (derived from coriolus versicolor mushroom, or turkey-tail)

Here are some other supplements that I don’t have any affiliation to:

Lectin Guard

Ambrotose

Lectin lock

Lectin Protect

Ultimate Lectin Defense