Lupine Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Diabetes. The evidence for using lupin to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels and improve glucose control is conflicting. Preliminary clinical research in patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking lupin seed flour in a dose containing 22 grams of protein and 12.5 grams fiber at the same time as a 50-gram glucose load decreases blood glucose levels and increases insulin response when compared with placebo, but not when compared with soy (98347). Research in post-surgical patients with type 2 diabetes shows that eating 2 lupin flour cookies (LupinSkinnybik) mid-afternoon produces similar glucose levels to whole wheat cookies or plain sweet cookies for the first 90 minutes after consumption, but is associated with significantly lower glucose levels 90 minutes after the subsequent dinner meal (103840). The lupin cookies also had a greater effect on satiety, so it is unclear whether this additional finding is due to reduced food consumption at dinner. In adults with type 2 diabetes controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents, eating snacks providing 10 grams of lupin twice daily, 30 minutes before lunch and dinner for 14 weeks, increases serum insulin levels and decreases glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels by 0.2% to 0.4% when compared with baseline, but only in patients with a baseline A1C of less than 8% (103842). Other research in patients with type 2 diabetes controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents shows that consuming 45 grams of lupin daily for 8 weeks in foods such as bread, pasta, and cereal at breakfast, lunch, and most dinners, does not reduce mean or postprandial glucose levels when compared with regular versions of the same foods (103841).
• Hypercholesterolemia. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking lupin protein isolate 25 mg daily for 4 weeks reduces LDL cholesterol when compared to baseline, but is no different than taking milk protein isolate 25 mg with or without arginine (98316,98321). Additional preliminary clinical research shows that taking blue lupin seed fiber 25 grams daily for 4 weeks lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides when compared with either a low-fiber control diet or a diet containing citrus fiber 25 grams daily (98350). It is not clear if these reductions would be considered clinically significant, or how they compare with other diets that have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Lupin has also been used in protein bars. Clinical research in people with moderate hypercholesterolemia shows that taking lupin 35 grams in a protein bar daily for 6 weeks reduces LDL cholesterol when compared to baseline but not when compared with a casein protein control (98371). Another preliminary clinical study shows that consuming a bar containing about 35 grams of lupin protein and about 33 grams of cellulose fiber daily for 4 weeks reduces total cholesterol levels when compared to baseline (94934).
• Muscle breakdown. Preliminary clinical research shows that consuming lupin crunchy powder 19 grams daily in addition to receiving neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) twice daily for 60 days reduces muscle atrophy when compared to no intervention in patients wearing an orthosis for 58 days (98373). It is unclear if this benefit is due to lupin supplementation or the NMES.
• Obesity. Preliminary clinical research in overweight patients shows that consuming lupin-enriched foods as 25-40% of the diet for 12 months does not help maintain weight loss when compared with eating a control diet of high-carbohydrate foods. All patients participated in a 3-month weight loss program followed by a stabilization and maintenance phase for 9 months (98340). Additional preliminary clinical research in overweight and obese patients shows that replacing 15% to 20% of usual daily energy intake with lupin seed flour-enriched bread for 16 weeks does not affect body weight when compared with following a regular diet (98354). More evidence is needed to rate lupin for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when processed lupin products (debittered lupin) are used in food amounts. Consuming commercially-prepared lupin products, including flour, bread, pasta, and breakfast cereals processed to contain less than 0.02% quinolizidine alkaloids, has not been associated with toxicity (103843,103845).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal preparations with a quinolizidine alkaloid content less than 0. 02%. Lupin protein 25 mg has been used with apparent safety in clinical trials lasting up to 4 weeks (98316,98321,98349,98350). Blue lupin and white lupin fiber has been used with apparent safety for up to 4 weeks (98349).

LIKELY UNSAFE ...when bitter lupin products that contain toxic levels of quinolizidine alkaloids are used orally. These alkaloids have anticholinergic effects, which can lead to respiratory failure and death (98345,98346,98362,98366). The acute lethal dose of quinolizidine alkaloids for adults is approximately 25 mg/kg body weight (98344).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when processed lupin products (debittered lupin) are used in food amounts. Consuming commercially-prepared lupin products, including flour, bread, pasta, and breakfast cereals processed to contain less than 0.02% quinolizidine alkaloids, has not been associated with toxicity (103843,103845).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY UNSAFE
when bitter lupin products that contain toxic levels of quinolizidine alkaloids are used orally. These alkaloids have anticholinergic effects which can lead to respiratory failure and death (98345,98346,98362,98366). The quinolizidine alkaloid sparteine can also induce contractions of uterine smooth muscle (103843).

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when processed lupin products (debittered lupin) are used in food amounts. Consuming commercially-prepared lupin products, including flour, bread, pasta, and breakfast cereals processed to contain less than 0.02% quinolizidine alkaloids, has not been associated with toxicity (103843,103845).

CHILDREN: LIKELY UNSAFE
when bitter lupin products that contain toxic levels of quinolizidine alkaloids are used orally. These alkaloids have anticholinergic effects which can lead to respiratory failure and death (98345,98346,98362,98366). The acute lethal dose of quinolizidine alkaloids for infants and children is approximately 10 mg/kg body weight (98344).

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General ...Orally, lupin products with minimal levels of quinolizidine alkaloids (debittered lupin) are well tolerated (98316,98321,98349,98350). Common side effects include bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain (98321,103841). Lupin can also cause allergic reactions, such as shortness of breath, rash, and anaphylaxis in sensitized individuals (98339,98348,98352,98361,98363,98369).
Bitter lupin that is not properly prepared and contains significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids can cause anticholinergic effects that can lead to respiratory failure and death (98345,98346,98362,98366,103843).

Cardiovascular ...Orally, lupin products that have not been processed properly and contain significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids cause serious anticholinergic effects including hypotension and tachycardia (103843).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, lupin can cause flatulence, bloating, and abdominal pain (98321,103841).
Lupin products that have not been processed properly and contain significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids cause serious anticholinergic effects including dry mouth, nausea, and constipation (98345,98346,98362,98366,103843).

Genitourinary ...Orally, lupin products that have not been processed properly and contain significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids cause serious anticholinergic effects including urinary retention (103843).

Immunologic ...Orally, lupin can cause allergic reactions such as rhinitis, wheeze, cough, itchy throat, hives, urticaria, lip swelling, breathing difficulties, and anaphylaxis (103846). Observational research has found that the prevalence of lupin allergy in the general population is about 1.6%. In people with lupin allergies, up to 75% also have allergies to other legumes and up to 82% have allergies to pollen (98353,98367,98361). People who are allergic to peanuts can have a cross-sensitivity to lupin (98339,98348,98352,98361,98363,98365,98369,103846).
Occupational inhalation of lupin byproducts can cause sensitization and allergic reactions, with symptoms of rhinitis and wheeze (98342).

Musculoskeletal ...Orally, lupin products that have not been processed properly and contain significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids cause serious anticholinergic effects, including muscle weakness (103843).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, lupin products that have not been processed properly and contain significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids cause serious anticholinergic effects, including headache, dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, seizures, and decreased sweating (98345,98346,98362,98366,103843).

Ocular/Otic ...Orally, lupin products that have not been processed properly and contain significant quantities of quinolizidine alkaloids cause serious anticholinergic effects, including blurred vision, photophobia, and mydriasis (98345,98346,98362,98366,103843).

Other ...Orally, bitter lupin beans that are not properly processed (debittered) can cause serious anticholinergic effects due to the quinolizidine alkaloids present. There are numerous case reports of these effects in children and adults who consumed improperly prepared lupin products. Symptoms include blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, hypotension, photophobia, constipation, nausea, urinary retention, muscle weakness, anxiety, tachycardia, dry mouth, decreased sweating, mydriasis, and seizures. Toxicity can progress to paralysis of respiratory muscles, causing respiratory arrest and death (98345,98346,98362,98366,103843). The acute lethal dose of quinolizidine alkaloids for infants and children is approximately 10 mg/kg body weight; the acute lethal dose for adults is approximately 25 mg/kg body weight (98344).

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