problematic foods.
Let’s start with lectins. Almost all grains and legumes
contain lectins, most of which increase intestinal
permeability. Because the Paleo Diet has always been a
grain-free and legume-free diet, there really is nothing new
here, except that now we are beginning to understand why
the Paleo Diet has such potent therapeutic and curative
powers for autoimmune patients: it is virtually free of the
lectins known to increase intestinal permeability.
The most recent twist to the Paleo Diet and autoimmune
diseases involves saponins, toxic compounds found in
many plants that ward off microbial and insect attacks.
Unfortunately, saponins are bad news not only for insects
and microbes, which try to eat them, but also for humans. If
we eat saponins in large enough amounts, they can
become lethally toxic. Even at low doses they may cause a
leaky gut. Beans (legumes) and soy products are
concentrated sources of gut-permeating saponins. Once
again, this is why the Paleo Diet is such good medicine for
autoimmune patients, as these foods have never been part
of the Paleo Diet.
When I wrote The Paleo Diet eight years ago, I advised
you not to eat potatoes, mainly because of their high
glycemic load, which adversely affects blood sugar and
insulin levels. It turns out that this recommendation is also
good advice for people with autoimmune diseases. I now
know that potatoes contain two specific saponins called