I've already put together a fair amount of material on the true etiology of T1D and the manner in which it can be corrected, so in this short post I would just like to quickly explain the role that some lectins can play in T1D's pathogenesis.
The lectin phytohaemagglutinin, found abundantly in red kidney beans and less so in other legumes and some grains, has been shown to strip away the mucus lining of the small intestine and induce an overgrowth of bacteria (including E. coli) [1] [2]. The same lectin can also provoke a release of histamine from mast cells in the stomach, stimulating the release of HCl acid [3]. Over time however, the consumption of various lectins which bind to gastric parietal cells may lead to persistent hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid - allowing the survival of ingested microbes and inviting the migration of housed bacteria and fungi into the stomach [4]. Low stomach acid can also increase the number of lectins absorbed through the gut wall, and lectins that breach the GI tract can enter systemic circulation and ultimately link to cells of the pancreas (as well as a host of other tissues) [5]. More on that in a moment. Certain individuals may be more susceptible to lectin toxicity due to unfavorable variations in glycoconjugate expression or a less protective barrier of sialic acid [6]. Sialic acid molecules can "hide" some cell surface antigens and prevent lectins from binding to them, so a lack of sialic acid from overexposure to the enzyme neuraminidase (housed by some microbes like influenza viruses and Streptococcal bacteria) may drive lectin-mediated damage, and ultimately promote autoimmunity [7]. Evidently, some lectins are capable of eliciting the expression of HLA class II antigens on the surface of thyroid and pancreatic beta cells [8] [9]. HLA class II antigens are normally only present on the surface of antigen-presenting cells, like phagocytes, dendritic cells, and B cells [10]. HLA or MHC class II proteins present antigens to T cells causing the production of antibodies by B cells against the presented antigens. The lectin-induced expression of HLA class II antigens on the surface of pancreatic beta cells (which produce insulin) may engender an autoimmune attacking of islet cells, especially when the epitope or antigenic determinant to which autoantibodies can attach themselves in type 1 diabetes, a form of N-acetyllactosamine, is exposed due to a wearing away of sialic acid [11]. Now, immune complexes (an antibody combined with an antigen) and lectin complexes (a lectin combined with some carbohydrate) can be broken apart with proteolytic enzymes [12]. The effectiveness of systemic enzyme therapy for autoimmune and immune complex diseases has been well documented [13] [14]. Indeed, some type 1 diabetics have been able to remove their need for exogenous insulin with the help of systemic enzyme therapy (using proteolytic enzymes). But no, you won't read about that on the American Diabetes Association's website. The common misconception that proteolytic enzymes cannot be absorbed through the gut wall and delivered to pathologically affected areas of the body is not only false but quite silly [15]. Once the irritants driving the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells have been dissolved and excreted from the body, the beta cells of course must be regenerated in order for insulin production to be restored. Despite ceaseless fundraising efforts by organizations who have no interest in curing either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, no toxic pharmaceutical will ever be the answer to T1D's resolution. However, multiple foods and plant substances have been experimentally shown to stimulate regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. These agents include the following (this list is not exhaustive):
So, can type 1 diabetes be healed without the use of islet cell transplants or artificial pancreata? Yes it can. Has it been done? Yes it has. Is there more to the story of T1D's etiology? Absolutely, but the point I wanted to make with this post is that those who proclaim that T1D cannot be resolved are either lying or uninformed. Please do not strip hope away from type 1 diabetics simply because you refuse to conduct the necessary research. Thank you and have a very merry Christmas. References:
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AuthorDenton Coleman is an Exercise Physiologist and Medical Researcher. Archives
October 2023
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