The body metabolism of mammals can be adversely affected by enzyme inhibitors from legume seeds

Trypsin, chymotrypsin and alpha-amylase inhibitors from plants have possibl e beneficial uses as natural insecticidal proteins or as therapeutic agents . However, these compounds can also adversely alter body metabolism, and fu nction, of mammals particularly when consumed in high amounts. Protease inh ibitors can induce hypersecretion of pancreatic enzymes and rapid pancreati c growth in many species and may increase both the susceptibility of the pa ncreas to carcinogens and the incidence of pancreas neoplasia in the long-t erm. alpha-amylase inhibitors reduce starch digestion and lower body lipid accumulation but they also trigger potentially deleterious growth of the gu t, in particular the caecum, and other tissues.