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3 Supplements that May Aid Gluten Digestion

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Experts estimate that around 2 million people in the United States, and 1% of the world population (around 80 million), have celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a “chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine.”

Celiac disease can be a severe condition, as it can cause long-term digestion problems and prevent your body from getting all of the nutrients it needs.

While celiac disease is not the same as a gluten sensitivity or wheat intolerance, these conditions or sensitivities overlap with gluten. That’s because people with celiac disease have their disease triggered by eating foods containing gluten.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein commonly found in grain products. These include wheat, barley, rye, and anything made with them (think pasta, cookies, cakes, bread, and more).

But gluten can also show up in small amounts in a variety of food and non-food products, including prepackaged meals and snacks, lip balms, lipsticks, toothpastes, as well as many vitamins and supplements.

One critical difference between those with celiac disease and those with gluten sensitivities is that celiac disease, unlike gluten sensitivity, is an immune disorder.

This disorder can cause short and long-term damage to the intestines, and long-term health problems like accelerated osteoporosis, anemia, malnutrition, nervous system problems, and reproductive problems.

But those with gluten sensitivities and those with celiac do have a lot in common, in that they often experience common overlapping symptoms triggered by eating a product with gluten in it, including:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue

Because these symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to painful and debilitating, those with gluten sensitivities, wheat allergies, or celiac should try to avoid all products with gluten in them.

But because gluten shows up unexpectedly in so many foods, even in small amounts, accidental gluten digestion from time to time is not uncommon. When that happens, it’s helpful to have a supplement on hand to help your body digest gluten.

Here are three supplements from Integrative Therapeutics, Standard Process, and Pure Encapsulations that may aid gluten digestion

3 Supplements that May Aid Gluten Digestion

Similase GFCF Gluten & Casein Digestive Enzymes – Integrative Therapeutics

Similase GFCF Gluten & Casein Digestive Enzymes from Integrative Therapeutics is a supplement that helps support the body’s ability to digest foods that have hidden gluten or casein. Each serving of the digestive enzyme supplement contains microbial enzymes, a DPP IV Protease Blend (Protease I, II, III, IV, V), and more. This formula may help to aid the digestion of some gluten and casein when accidentally ingested from hidden sources. It may also aid general digestion. Similase GFCF also promotes the healthy digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Catalyn GF Gluten Free – Standard Process

Catalyn GF Gluten Free from Standard Process is a supplement that may help to fill nutritional gaps for those requiring a gluten-free diet. This multi-food-based supplement is nutrient dense and contains a proprietary blend of nutrients that provide vitamins A, C, D, and B vitamins. This nutritionally dense supplement helps those following a gluten free diet maintain overall health, cellular development, and may help to bridge nutritional gaps in the diets of those who can not consume certain foods because they contain gluten.

Gluten/Dairy Digest – Pure Encapsulations

For those who experience discomfort digesting gluten or dairy, Gluten/Dairy Digest from Pure Encapsulations is a supplement that may provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating or gas due to dairy or gluten consumption. Gluten/Dairy Digest contains enzymes that support normal gluten, casein, beta-lactoglobulin, and lactose digestion. Along with promoting healthy gluten and dairy digestion, Gluten/Dairy Digest may also help support overall gastrointestinal comfort and function.

What supplements do you use that aid in digesting gluten?