Health & Well-Being A-Z

Lupin

Lupin plant
Description

Altramuz Amarillo, Andean Lupin, Australian Sweet Lupin, Bitter Lupin, Blue Lupin, Hasenklee, Lupin Jaune, Lupine, Lupini Beans, Lupinus Albus, Lupinus Angustifolius, Lupinus Luteus, Lupinus Mutabilis, Narrow Leaf Lupin, Narrow Leaved Lupin, Pearl Lupin, Sweet Lupin, Sweet Tarwi, White Lupin, Yellow Lupin.

Is It Effective?

Effectiveness header

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Insufficient evidence
  • Diabetes. It is too early to know if lupin can lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Some research shows that it helps, but other research does not.
  • High cholesterol. Early research shows that lupin protein and lupin fiber help to lower cholesterol. But lupin seems to be no better than milk proteins for lowering cholesterol.
  • Muscle breakdown. Early research shows that eating lupin in addition to getting electrical stimulation of the muscles and nerves can slow down the breakdown of muscle when compared with wearing a brace for 60 days. It is unclear if this effect is from the lupin or the electrical stimulation.
  • Obesity. Early research shows that replacing part of the usual diet with lupin products does not help overweight or obese patients to lose weight.
  • Bed sores (pressure ulcers).
  • Colon cancer, rectal cancer.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Infection of the intestines by parasites.
  • Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
  • Prediabetes.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate lupin for these uses.

Is it Safe?

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Lupin is a legume rich in fiber and protein. Specific ingredients in lupin might lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

Safety

When taken by mouth: Lupin is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. Processed foods containing lupin, including flour, bread, pasta, and breakfast foods, must contain less than 0.02% of toxic chemicals called quinolizidine alkaloids. When used in larger amounts as a medicine, lupin is POSSIBLY SAFE as long as the toxic alkaloid content is less than 0.02%. The most common adverse effects are gas, bloating, and stomach pain.

Lupin is LIKELY UNSAFE when products with toxic levels of alkaloids (sometimes called bitter lupin) are used. They can cause many adverse effects which can lead to breathing problems and death.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Lupin is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. Processed foods containing lupin, including flour, bread, pasta, and breakfast foods, must contain less than 0.02% of toxic chemicals called quinolizidine alkaloids.

Lupin is LIKELY UNSAFE when products with toxic levels of alkaloids (sometimes called bitter lupin) are used. They can cause many adverse effects which can lead to breathing problems and death.

Children: Using lupin by mouth is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts. Processed foods containing lupin, including flour, bread, pasta, and breakfast foods, must contain less than 0.02% of toxic chemicals called quinolizidine alkaloids.

Using lupin by mouth is LIKELY UNSAFE when products with toxic levels of alkaloids (sometimes called bitter lupin) are used. They can cause many side effects which can lead to breathing problems and death. Children are more sensitive to these side effects than adults.

Allergy to peanuts or other legumes: Lupin may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to peanuts or other legumes such as soy or pea. If you have allergies to peanuts or other legumes, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before using lupin.

Drug interactions

It is not known if Lupin interacts with any medicines. Before taking Lupin, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Herb interactions

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Food interactions

There are no known interactions with foods.

Dosage

The appropriate dose of lupin depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lupin. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Other names

Altramuz Amarillo, Andean Lupin, Australian Sweet Lupin, Bitter Lupin, Blue Lupin, Hasenklee, Lupin Jaune, Lupine, Lupini Beans, Lupinus Albus, Lupinus Angustifolius, Lupinus Luteus, Lupinus Mutabilis, Narrow Leaf Lupin, Narrow Leaved Lupin, Pearl Lupin, Sweet Lupin, Sweet Tarwi, White Lupin, Yellow Lupin.

Disclaimer

Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.

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