==Special Precautions of Peanuts==
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* Individuals with kidney or gallbladder problems should avoid eating peanuts, because peanuts contain measurable amounts of oxalates, a naturally occurring substance found in plants, animals and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems.
*Individuals with thyroid problems may need to avoid peanuts because peanuts contains goitrogens, a naturally occurring substance in certain foods that can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland. Although cooking may help to inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food, but it is not clear from the study how much percentage of goitrogenic compounds get inactivated by cooking.
*Peanuts are legumes, not nuts. They have a soft permeable skin and grow underground which makes them vulnerable to contamination by various toxins. (They are also prone to salmonella.) One of the most common toxins is mold that produces aflatoxin. Peanuts typically are infected to some extent with molds which produce aflatoxins, which are mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic and cause immuno-suppression in humans. Aflatoxin B1 has been shown to cause liver cancer, especially in hepatitis B-positive individuals. Peanuts have been shown in several studies to stimulate proliferation of colon cancer cells. However one large Taiwanese study found that peanut consumption was associated with lower colorectal cancer risk. Breathing the fumes of peanut oil used in frying has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer. Breast cancer patients have been shown to be at higher risk for other cancers and should avoid known mutagens. In addition, it is possible to get the potential health benefits of peanuts by consuming other nuts and foods.
* Peanut shells are permeable and peanuts grow underground, absorbing pesticides and chemical fertilizers from the soil. The nuts, due to their high fat content, retain these inputs. The USDA has found pesticide residue in traditional peanut butters.
* Another toxin is fungicide residues that come from heavy spraying to prevent mold from damaging the peanut crops.
* Peanuts also contain an anti-nutrient called lectin. This prevents the absorption of important minerals including iron, copper, magnesium, and calcium.