Food Freedom Friday Edition 369 - Are Plants Making You Sick?

What if the Plants You’re Eating are Making You Sick?

When it comes to health, there is a constant encouragement to “eat more fruits and vegetables.” You are regularly fed the message that a “plant-based diet” is the healthiest for everyone. It is interesting to note that nearly every processed junk food in the grocery store is “plant-based” – so take that with a grain of salt.

Of course, some people do well on a plant-based diet. But not everyone does…

What if the plants you are eating actually contribute to inflammation, digestive distress and hormonal dysfunction? What if these “plant foods” are the leading cause of systemic inflammation, leaky gut and a primary factor in the rise of autoimmune disease?

The fact is that while basic human biology is the same, at a biochemical level you are unique. Each human has key differences in genetics, microbiome, hormonal and immune systems that impact how they react to a specific food.

This is why broad statements like “eat more plants” can be both dangerous and irresponsible.

This does not directly imply that vegetables are unhealthy and it doesn’t mean you should necessarily avoid eating them but the reactions to food are different for everyone. Foods that are healthy for one person might be quite toxic to another.

Consider this:

Is it possible that a meat-only diet could help reverse autoimmune disorders, quell inflammation, restore hormonal balance and alleviate suffering for many?

The answer may surprise you!

Within the makings of the carnivore (or zero-carb) diet is the premise that plant foods may be avoiding being eaten and many people are finding extreme relief by subsisting on meat alone.

The Meat-Only Diet: A Diet That Loves You Back

I have to admit that the concept of subsisting on meat alone is one that seriously challenged me, especially in the face of what is always portrayed as a ‘healthy’ diet – including lots (and lots) of plant foods

Before delving into the potential benefits of the carnivore diet, it’s critical to understand that…

Plants Don’t Want to Be Eaten!

One of the arguments for a vegan diet is that it’s cruel to eat animals. After all, every living creature strives for self-preservation. They argue the world would be a much better if kindness could be shown and animal lives could be spared.

In truth, nothing likes to be eaten… including plants!

Animals have the ability to defend themselves from predation or make a speedy escape. Plants do not have the same abilities, but they do still have protection mechanisms. At the slightest nip of a leaf, plants release chemicals that can irritate or poison predators. This is the plant’s version of an immune response.

Research has shown that plants don’t even have to be damaged to mount a defense. The mere sound of caterpillar “munching vibrations” caused plants under study to ramp up production of mildly-toxic mustard oils.

The difference with plants is that their defenses take affect after damage or consumption. For many, the results of a plant-rich diet can be pain, inflammation and debilitating autoimmune diseases.

The examples of plant toxins and anti-nutrients are voluminous. Some of the common edible species and the compounds within them known to have health-harming effects include:

·       Nightshades: The solanaceae family of flowering plants includes a number of species that are outright poisonous but the nightshade family also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant and goji berries, which are well known to promote inflammation and joint pain in some people.

·       Phytic Acid: A natural substance found in plant seeds (including grains and legumes). This compound is known as an “anti-nutrient” for its ability to bind to minerals. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, calcium and other minerals and can promote mineral deficiencies.

·       Oxalates: Compounds found in dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and other “superfoods.” Most people can break down oxalates in the gut. For others, however, these compounds turn into sharp crystals and can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, oxidative stress, kidney stones and autoimmune disease.

·       Lectins: These plant compounds can promote leaky gut, alter the microbiome, stimulate the immune system and trigger inflammation. The highest levels are found in whole grains, legumes and dairy.

·       Salicylates: These are naturally-occurring pesticides that plants use to protect against insects, fungus and bacterial infection. In humans, they can cause a wide range of symptoms from tinnitus to ulcers. High concentrations are found in avocados, berries, grapes, almonds, honey, dried fruits and many spices

·       Saponins: These are compounds that protect many plants from predation by insects, microbes and fungi. Saponins have soapy, foaming characteristics. They promote leaky gut and can cause bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhea. Legumes (soy, beans, peas and lentils) as well as quinoa are rich in saponins.

·       Goitrogens: These compounds can reduce iodine uptake in the thyroid gland and slow the production of thyroid hormones. The result can be an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and a host of metabolic disturbances. The most common plant goitrogens are compounds known as glucosinolates, found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, arugula, radishes, turnips, collard greens, bok choy and other similar vegetables.

·       Phytoestrogens: These naturally-occurring plant chemicals have a molecular structure quite similar to estrogen. Used as a natural defense against herbivores, they can disrupt animal fertility. In humans, phytoestrogens can cause hormonal dysfunction and may promote cancer. These compounds are most common in soybeans, flax and sesame seeds.

·       Prolamins & Gluteins:  Consisting of a wide range of proteins, used by plants to store energy in seeds. This group of compounds are the primary environmental factors in causing Celiac disease. Found primarily in grains and rice.

·       FODMAPs: Though not technically a defense mechanism of plants, these compounds are a collection of short-chain carbohydrates that are not properly absorbed in the gut. FODMAPs can cause severe digestive distress for some people. High-FODMAP foods include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, condiments, drinks and dairy foods.

I am not saying that there are zero benefits to eating plant foods, but it is important to understand that there can be a dark side. Not all plant foods are right for all people all of the time.

A meat-only / carnivore / zero-carb diet has been cited as very useful for managing the many symptoms that do not respond to traditional Paleo or “elimination” diets.

The Problem with “Elimination” Diets

If you (or someone you love) has allergies, food intolerances, autoimmune disease or other health problems, there is a good chance you have heard of the “elimination diet.”

This is a diet that eliminates many of the most common dietary triggers. The user consumes only the foods on the “allowed” list for a period of time (usually 304 weeks) and then reintroduces potential trigger foods one at a time adding a new food every few days.

This last part is important, because many food reactions take three to or four days to manifest (this is known as delayed hypersensitivity). As each new food is reintroduced, the user records how they feel and any reactions they experience. This can be quite effective at determining which foods are best for YOUR body.

But there are some significant challenges and drawbacks to the typical elimination diet…

While the most common trigger foods are usually eliminated, most “elimination” diets still include many foods which can cause problems for some people. This makes it difficult to truly isolate the foods that may cause you discomfort and contribute to poor health.

With so many foods removed from the diet – and a random basket of foods remaining – many people are left wondering, “How do I turn these foods into meals and what the heck do I eat?”

The second challenge is why most people find elimination diets so difficult. They can’t make any of their usual recipes and don’t know what to make from the random assortment of “allowed” foods.

an “elimination diet” would be much simpler if you eliminated everything except fresh meat (not cured).

With the exception of eggs, dairy, shellfish and sometimes fish… it is plants that cause problems for the vast majority of those with diet-related health issues. If you’re going to follow an elimination diet, it is easier (and more effective) to simply eliminate ALL plants, instead of picking and choosing.

The stories of those who have healed their bodies on a meat-only diet, often after enduring years of debilitating and mysterious illnesses, are numerous. In fact, most people who follow a carnivore diet are not simply existing and surviving, they seem to be thriving. Furthermore, those who have sought objective lab data show biomarkers consistent with health and vitality.

And there is no shortage of physique transformations either!

What to Eat

This is not a suggestion that you embark on a meat-only diet for the rest of your life. Humans have always been opportunistic feeders. I don’t believe a mono-diet is optimal for most people and there can be great benefit from the cancer-fighting, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds in many plants.

But it might be a valuable experiment to try for a few weeks or months, especially if:

·       You have stubborn fat to lose

·       You suffer from autoimmune illness or a constellation of symptoms that seem to be resistant to any and all other treatments

·       You know that you have a range of food allergies and intolerances

What does a meat-based diet look like?

While some people add minimal dairy products like butter or cheese, most people who embark on this way of eating to improve difficult health issues are purists. They limit their intake strictly to meat (with mineral-rich salt) and water alone (as well as coffee / tea if those are challenging to give up).

Recommended foods include:

·      Red Meat: Beef, pork, lamb, wild game

·       Seafood: Fish and shellfish*

·       Poultry: Chicken, turkey, ostrich, emu

·       Organ Meat: Liver, kidneys, tongue, bone marrow, spleen, thymus (sweetbreads)

·       Eggs*: Chicken, goose, duck, quail

* Because egg whites and shellfish have allergenic potential, those with autoimmune issues, allergies and food intolerances often choose to avoid these foods on the meat-only diet.

What’s more, many following a meat-only find they react to certain types of meat (like pork, poultry or certain fish). It is thus important to listen to your body and pay attention to your symptoms. Most people do best with beef and lamb.

Eat to satiety (no calorie counting), add high quality sea salts to your food and be sure to choose fatty cuts of meat.

Those who object might say, “What about the myriad of micronutrients in plants that you would miss on a zero-carb diet?” 

As I have previously written, the most nutrient-dense food you can consume is muscle meat and organ meats, such as liver, which supply even greater concentrations of nutrients than muscle meats. I am not necessarily recommending this as a diet to follow for life (although some people do).

As to the FDA’s Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of certain nutrients, it also is important to remember that those guidelines are created for a population that consumes a high-carb, Standard American Diet – a diet which fundamentally converts your metabolism to that of a “sugar burner” and alters your nutritional requirements.

An elimination diet can be the start of an epic journey towards optimal health. You could start to feel better than you thought possible. Your brain fog could disappear. Your excess fat might start to finally come off. You might start getting sick less often. Your inflammation could go down.

What you have to also keep in mind is that your body can build up a tolerance to foods like those containing gluten. Even though you were able to tolerate the foods before, it does not mean that they were not bad for you. If you cut out a food for a period of time, and then add it back, you could have a much stronger reaction to it than before.

Also remember that just because you experience a negative effect, such as stomach cramps, from foods like dairy or gluten, it doesn’t mean that you could never have ice cream or a croissant again if you choose optimal health. It just means that you probably shouldn’t have it often, and that if you eat it, you have to be willing to accept the consequences. Perhaps the treat is worth it to you.