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Anti-Nutrient

Molecule:

Canavanine

Foods:

Alfalfa sprout.
Canavanine

How to Neutralize:

Cooking and phase II liver detox and kidneys.

Negative Effects:

Abnormal blood cell counts, spleen enlargement, Lupus (if big amount of juice sprouts is taken).


L-(+)-(S)-Canavanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid found in certain leguminous plants. It is structurally related to the proteinogenic α-amino acid L-arginine, the sole difference being the replacement of a methylene bridge (-CH
2- unit) in arginine with an oxa group (i.e., an oxygen atom) in canavanine. Canavanine is accumulated primarily in the seeds of the organisms which produce it, where it serves both as a highly deleterious defensive compound against herbivores and a vital source of nitrogen for the growing embryo[citation needed] (see also L-canaline). The mechanism of canavanine's toxicity is that organisms that consume it typically mistakenly incorporate it into their own proteins in place of L-arginine, thereby producing structurally aberrant proteins that may not function properly.

The toxicity of canavanine may be enhanced under conditions of protein starvation,[1] and canavanine toxicity, resulting from consumption of Hedysarum alpinum seeds with a concentration of 1.2% canavanine weight/weight, has been implicated in the death of a malnourished Christopher McCandless.[2] (McCandless was the subject of Jon Krakauer's book (and subsequent movie) Into the Wild).


Chemical structure of canavanine compared to arginine

Some specialized herbivores tolerate L-canavanine either because they metabolize it efficiently (cf. L-canaline) or avoid its incorporation into their own nascent proteins. An example of this ability can be found in the larvae of the tobacco budworm Heliothis virescens, which can tolerate massive amounts of dietary canavanine. These larvae fastidiously avoid incorporation of L-canavanine into their nascent proteins (presumably by virtue of highly discriminatory Arginine—tRNA ligase, the enzyme responsible for the first step in the incorporation of arginine into proteins). In contrast, larvae of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta can only tolerate tiny amounts (1.0 microgram per kilogram of fresh body weight[3]) of dietary canavanine because their arginine-tRNA ligase has little, if any, discriminatory capacity. No one has examined experimentally the arginine-tRNA synthetase of these organisms. But comparative studies of the incorporation of radiolabeled L-arginine and L-canavanine have shown that in Manduca sexta, the ratio of incorporation is about 3 to 1.

Dioclea megacarpa seeds contain high levels of canavanine. The beetle Caryedes brasiliensis is able to tolerate this however as it has the most highly discriminatory arginine-tRNA ligase known. In this insect, the level of radiolabeled L-canavanine incorporated into newly synthesized proteins is barely measurable. Moreover, this beetle uses canavanine as a nitrogen source to synthesize its other amino acids to allow it to develop.[4]

NZB/W F1, NZB, and DBA/2 mice fed L-canavanine develop a syndrome similar to systemic lupus erythematosus,[1] while BALB/c mice fed a steady diet of protein containing 1% canavanine showed no change in lifespan.[5]

Alfalfa seeds and sprouts contain L-canavanine. The L-canavanine in alfalfa has been linked to lupus-like symptoms in primates, including humans, and other auto-immune diseases. Often stopping consumption reverses the problem.[6][7][8]



Role of non-protein amino acid l-canavanine in autoimmunity

Abstract

Association of SLE and alfalfa was first reported in a volunteer who developed lupus-like autoimmunity while ingesting alfalfa seed for a hypercholesterolemia study. This was corroborated with studies in monkeys fed with alfalfa sprout that developed SLE. Re-challenge with l-canavanine relapsed the disease. Arginine homologue l-canavanine, present in alfalfa, was suspected as a cause. l-canavanine can be charged by arginyl tRNA synthetase to replace l-arginine during protein synthesis. Aberrant canavanyl proteins have disrupted structure and functions. Induction or exacerbation of SLE by alfalfa tablets reported in a few cases remains controversial. Epidemiological studies on the relationship between alfalfa and SLE are sparse. In mice, NZB/W F1, NZB, and DBA/2 mice fed with l-canavanine show exacerbation/triggering of the SLE, however, BALB/c studies were negative.

L-canavanine incorporation may be more efficient in the presence of inflammation or other conditions that can cause arginine deficiency. The l-canavanine induced apoptotic cells can be phagocytosed and a source of autoantigens processed by endosomal proteases. Endogenous canavanyl proteins are ubiquitinated and processed via proteasome. Incorporation of l-canavanine into proteasome or endosome can also cause disruption of antigen processing. Alfalfa/l-canavanine-induced lupus will be an interesting model of autoimmunity induced by the modification of self-proteins at the translational level.

Food Name
Food Group
Protein (g)
Fat (g)
Carbohydrates (g)
Calories
Starch (g)
SucroseG
Glucose (g)
Fructose (g)
Lactose (g)
Maltose (g)
Alcohol (g)
Water (g)
Caffeine (mg)
Theobromine (mg)
Sugar (g)
Fiber (g)
Calcium (mg)
Iron (mg)
Magnesium (mg)
Phosphorus (mg)
Potassium (mg)
Sodium (mg)
Zinc (mg)
Copper (mg)
Flouride (mcg)
Manganese (mg)
Selenium(mcg)
Vitamin A(IU)
Retinol (mcg)
Beta Carotene (mcg)
Alpha Carotene (mcg)
Vitamin E (mg)
Vitamin D (mcg)
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Vitamin C (mg)
Thiamin (B1) (mg)
Riboflavin (B2)(mg)
Niacin(B3)(mg)
Vitamin B5(mg)
Vitamin B6 (mg)
Folate (B9) (mg)
Choline (mg)
Cholesterol (mg)
Saturated Fat (g)
Net Carbs
Alfalfa seeds, sprouted, raw
Vegetables and Vegetable Products
3.99
0.69
2.1
23
NULL
0
0.08
0.12
0
0
0
92.82
0
0
0.2
1.9
32
0.96
27
70
79
6
0.92
0.157
NULL
0.188
0.6
155
0
87
6
0.02
0
0
8.2
0.076
0.126
0.481
0.563
0.034
36
14.4
0
0.069
0.2
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