alfalfa sprouts

celia · Post by **celia** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:44 pm

I always wondered why I react to alfalfa sprouts of all things. Now I know...

Canavanine, an amino acid in raw alfalfa sprouts not present in the mature plants, is an antinutrient factor that has been shown to inhibit the immune system and contribute to inflammatory arthritis and lupus, according to Sally Fallon in Nourishing Traditions, a reason why traditional cultures have avoided eating alfalfa in the sprout stage.

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:48 pm

Now I know why I never eat those. Sounds like they can hurt you in the long run. DO NOT EAT THEM CELIA![/color] lOVE oMA

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:49 pm

Excuse the mess up there LOL

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:51 pm

Hi Celia,

Have that book, but have just skipped around in it. Does it mention anything about raddish sprouts? Those are the ones with a little more bite in em, right? Have some seeds here just waiting to be sprouted, so that's why thought I'd ask.

Yours, Luce

celia · Post by **celia** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:02 am

Luce,

I haven't read the book. I found the excerpt in an article abuot raw foods. It didn't mention any other sprouts as being a problem. I am going to try other types of sprouts myself, since they are so nutritious.

Be well! Celia

artteacher · Post by **artteacher** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:59 am

Hi Celia,

If you do happen to find that other sprouts are tolerable for you, I think it would confirm what you've already suspected: that you have an enhanced autoimmune reaction. I had lupus (am in remission now apparently). Other things that might trigger lupuslike symptoms, besides the grains/dairy/legumes/leaky gut would be sun exposure, excessive flourescent light exposure, nightshade foods, stress. Symptoms are extreme fatigue, extremity joints aching (knuckles, toes, feet, hands, wrists), ruddy color across cheekbones, anemia, low thyroid, abnormal blood tests like a positive/high ANA count, to name a few. Probably minimizining anything that excites your autoimmune response would make you feel better, as well as alleviate the MC. I think that's why my symptoms have almost disappeared.

And thanks for the short summary of the "Against the Grains" book. I gave me food for thought: maybe I should look to yeasts in my diet!!

Love, Marsha

celia · Post by **celia** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:16 am

Marsha,

Thanks for your insight. I think you are right about my having an enhanced auto-immune reaction, although I have had a complete range of tests for auto-immune diseases and none have come up (like lupus). Thank goodness. But it may be that it just hasn't gotten to that level of manifesting as a disease other than the LC so if I take care of my diet and body now I might avoid the development of other auto immune conditions. Or so I hope!

Be well,
Celia