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Anti Nutrients: The Down-Side to Plant Based Eating

The Healing Collective • November 3, 2022

New ParagraArticle by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.ph

In my quest to identify the most effective way of eating, I came across something that has caused a paradigm shift in my thinking on many "healthy" plant foods.


I first need to preface my article on the fact that I have been a "huge" advocate of eating a plant based diet with minimal meat consumption for as long as I can remember.

My diet typically consisted of drinking a morning smoothie with every type of plant food (spinach, beets, almonds, chard, seeds, etc.) with plant based protein powder. My lunch was big salad with more spinach, assorted greens, nuts and some protein. Dinner was a plate rich in plant foods and some protein. I commonly would eat broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, beets, etc ...


My long standing question was why in the world was I feeling so bad? Irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, diarrhea, brain fog, anxiety, difficulty losing weight (fat).

Of course for most people this does not fit what we have been informed about this way of eating. Of course it was healthy!


So I just pushed forward and continued to eat this way believing that it was the price I had to pay to be healthy.


But I wasn't!

My dear wife, Debbie frequently went to bed with an ice pack on her right hip and right knee. Chronic constipation was the norm. Stuck at an unacceptable weight level was simply frustrating.


Again we faithfully continued to eat this way accepting and "preaching" the ultimate benefits of eating an abundance of plant based foods.


I really never challenged my strong belief on eating mainly plants and some protein. One look at my extended library of books would convince anyone that I was on board with plant based diets, hook, line and sinker!


By pure coincidence, I came across a book on some of the downsides to eating a heavy plant based diet.


At first I was appalled at the thought that plant based foods may not be the best for ULTIMATE health and well-being.


As I love to do, I dug into the literature and read everything I could on some of the negative effects of eating a lot of plant based foods.


Wow what I learned was an eye-opener!

Since tweaking my diet and reducing some of the more toxic plant foods (will discuss shortly), all of the above symptoms vanished. I effortlessly lost weight. My wife, Debbie, was totally free of right hip and knee pain. No more ice bags! And to top it off she hit a goal weight she had tried to accomplish for at least five years!


My thinking and beliefs in a heavy plant based diet changed.


My goal today is to share what I learned and hope you give me the time of day to at least listen with an open mind to what I am about to share with you. It could in fact be the tipping point to reversing a number chronic long standing health issues for many of you reading my article.


Ready?


Plants have something called ANTI-NUTRIENTS.


Anti-nutrients are natural compounds found in plants. Anti-nutrients protect plants from bacterial infections and protect plants from being eaten by predators. Since plants unlike animals can't fight off predators, anti-nutrients are a plant's self-defense mechanism.


Anti-nutrients are found in all parts of plant based foods, including vegetables, seeds and fruits.


Too many anti-nutrients have been found through my research to cause inflammation, gut dysbiosis, arthritis, joint pain, skin issues and brain fog, too name a few ailments.


A big concern of anti-nutrients is how they interfere with nutrient and mineral absorption.

New ParagrHere are the top 10 anti-nutrients:


1: Oxalates


Oxalates are found in green leafy vegetables (spinach), sesame seeds, teas, and soybeans. Oxalates can bind to calcium and iron and prevent it from being absorbed. Oxalates are enzyme inhibitors that can prevent proper digestion, cause gut problems and protein deficiencies. Enzymes create chemical reactions in the body that help support our bodies to function properly. Enzymes are especially important in the digestive process. Without the enzymes to properly metabolize food, GI issues can occur, such as bloating and constipation.


2: Polyphenols


Polyphenols known as phytochemicals are anti-nutrients that are touted for their health benefits. Dark chocolate, flaxseed meal, cocoa powder and many fruits and vegetables contain polyphenol compounds. Polyphenols may have some health benefits, such as possible body weight regulation and decreasing blood pressure, but there are studies on high doses of polyphenols causing kidney damage, tumor development and altered thyroid hormone production.


3: Gluten


Gluten is a protein that is almost impossible for stomach acid to breakdown and digest. Dr. Fasano of Harvard, a leading expert on gluten, says that, in the most susceptible people, eating gluten can do small amounts of damage to the intestinal lining creating leaky gut and inflammation.


4: Phytic Acid (Phytate)


Phytic acid is primarily found in whole grains, legumes, seeds and some nuts. Phytic acid can decrease the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, phosphorous and calcium. Studies show that 80% of zinc-rich foods (cashews, chickpeas), 80% of phosphorous-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) and 40% of magnesium-rich foods (spinach, almonds, avocado) can be blocked by phytates.


5: Lectins


Lectins are found in legumes (beans, peanuts, soybeans) and whole grains (wheat). They can interfere with nutrient digestion and absorption of calcium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. Lectins are notorious for surviving GI tract digestion. They can then penetrate cell lining in the digestive tract and cause damage to gut epithelial cells and membrane lining, change bacterial flora and trigger autoimmune reactions.


6: Tannins


Tannins are similar to oxalates as they are also enzyme inhibitors. Tannins are found in teas, coffees, wines and legumes. They can interfere with iron absorption. Tannins have also been shown to impede the digestion of nutrients.


7: Glucosinolates


Glucosinolates are found in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts) and can interfere with the absorption of iodine, which can then interfere with thyroid function. Another study found, with over 100,000 participants, that those who ate the most glucosinolates had a 19 percent greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.


8: Saponins


Saponins are found in legumes (green lentils) and whole grains. They can interfere with normal nutrient absorption (iron, zinc) and similar to lectins, can affect the GI lining, causing leaky gut and autoimmune responses.


9: Solanines


Solanine is found in nightshades (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers). For some, these can cause inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions. Others may feel a slight feeling of poisoning. (nausea, throat burning, headaches, etc.)


10: Salicylates


Salicylates are compounds found in foods, medications and other products that can cause adverse reactions in those who are intolerant. There is much (renewed) interest about the effects of salicylates on food intolerance, attention-deficit disorders, and cardiovascular disease.


The following is a good chart to reference with foods associated with specific anti-nutrients.

Chart from page 127 of Carnivore Cure -Judy Cho


My conclusions and continued special journey.


Although I have taken a deep dive into some of the pitfalls of eating an abundance of plant based foods I sincerely believe there is a middle ground for most people including myself. I can not deny that many of these plant foods do indeed have many health benefits and should not be entirely denied for consumption. On the other hand I was totally ignorant of this well researched downside.


At this point in my 64 years of living on this earth, I am still researching for optimal health through many facets including science based nutrition.


Today I have presented another side that should not be ignored but at least considered in the event you, like myself, has strived to achieve optimal health through a plant based diet.

Just maybe some of these anti-nutrients may indeed may be playing havoc on your ability to be free of chronic disease entities.


As I dug deeper in my review of the literature I have discovered the least toxic vegetables and fruits.


Here they are:


Vegetables: Avocados, Zucchini, Olives, Cucumber, Pumpkin and Squash


Fruits: Apples, Oranges, Berries, Pineapple, Pears, Melons, Bananas, and Mango

As I continue to use myself as a testing platform and work with many patients I will report back to you on my findings.


So far I have been impressed with the results!


- Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.


We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO. Learn more about our functional medicine providers here. 

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