Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Digestive Enzymes

kbtoyssni

Recommended Posts

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

Yesterday my chiropractor suggested that maybe I don't have celiac, and it's a digestive problem instead. He was going to give me some digestive enzymes that you take for two weeks, and then he thought I should try eating gluten again to see if it made any difference. I AM NOT willing to take that risk - I didn't even take the enzymes because they're manufactured in a facility that contains wheat.

The reason why he suggested this is because I don't have an official diagnosis. I did an elimination diet and reacted very badly when I re-introduced wheat and barley. I started eating gluten for about a week to try to get positive blood work, but I don't think it was long enough, and I wasn't willing to keep eating gluten just to get an official diagnosis because at that point I just wanted to get better. And now, nine months after going gluten-free, I feel better than I have in ten years.

So my question is, have any of you tried digestive enzymes? How do they work and why would my chiropractor think they would work for me? What sort of digestive conditions do they help for? Would they help me even if I do stay on a gluten-free diet? I'm wondering if he thought I had mainly digestive symptoms, but my symptoms were mostly fatigue, join pain, brain fog, etc. The stomach pain was minor compared to my other symptoms.

I am not going to start eating gluten again, I'm just curious about why he would suggest this.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted

Digestive enzymes can be very helpful. However, they cannot stop or prevent the autoimmune response that occurs with gluten consumption. Even if you dont have Celiac....you are obviously gluten intolerant so you would still be experiencing an autoimmune reaction from gluten.

The enzymes can aid in breaking down your food for easier digestion. Since most of us with gluten intolerance have impaired intestines the enzymes can help with digestion. Also some of us may lack some of the enzymes needed for breaking down various foods. The more food is broken down and completely digested the less large food molecules are left to possibly create an allergic response. When undigested food particles leave the digestive tract (as is the case with leaky gut) then the immune system may launch an attack on these and create secondary food intolerances.

Hope that makes sense.

plantime Contributor
plantime
Posted

I tried digestive enzymes. They did absolutely nothing to stop any celiac reactions. They did help food digest better, and I eliminated much easier, but that is all.

loraleena Contributor
loraleena
Posted

I use enzymes and they help me digest in general - less bloating and gas. Not gluten though. You do sound at least gluten intolerant. If you feel terrible on gluten, then that is all you need to know.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

I take digestive enzymes all the time, but I'm not at all under the impression that they will help with celiac or symptoms when glutened.

I had issues with partially digested food coming out (sorry - gross) and digestive enzymes help your body digest your food. I also have stomach aches from safe food sometimes. I've only been gluten-free for 6 months so I assume that my body is still healing. I feel that the enzymes help make it easier for my body to digest my food and that it probably needs all the help it can get right now.

I had negative blood work but a very positive dietary response. I never tried to reintroduce gluten to see if I had a problem, because I glutened myself on accident enough times. I have no question in my mind that I have celiac.

Also, I have taken the enzymes after being glutened, again just to help my body digest in general and I never noticed an easier time with my symptoms from being glutened.

A lot of doctors don't like to believe that someone has celiac, so maybe your doctor is hopeful. I wouldn't take them if they are produced in a facility that contains wheat, and I certainly wouldn't try gluten again.

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the info everyone! Sounds like it might be worth try as a general digestive aid. I do take acidopholis which seems to help me, and this sounds like it might be similar.

But there's no way I'm eating gluten again. I've been accidently glutened enough times to know I don't want to eat gluten on purpose.

  • 2 weeks later...
Carolita Rookie
Carolita
Posted

Which enzymes do you recommend?

I'm still new at this and would like to buy some b/c I feel like I'm not digesting food very well. I'm already on a gluten free diet but I some times feel sick of my stomach mainly from gas.

Your help is appreciated,

Carol :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


BRUMI1968 Collaborator
BRUMI1968
Posted

I take DigestGold, but they are enormously expensive. They are about 25.00 a bottle, and that bottle only lasts three weeks or so. I've bought cheaper ones, and find they work not quite as well, but nearly so. I probably only need to take one at this point, and I'm still swallowing two - so that might make more sense. Anyway, they are gluten-free, and potent, and cover all the bases. It has twice as many enzymes as another brand I've taken.

The other thing I take is Betain-HCI. It is "supposed" to increase your stomach acid, though I've read things that say it doesn't. I don't know if it helps. But I'm doing the regimine my nutritionist put me on.

It certainly improved the quality of my stool, and, I imagine, how much I am getting out of my foods.

I plan to wean off them in another four months - see if I can make all the good stuff on my own.

Carolita Rookie
Carolita
Posted
I take DigestGold, but they are enormously expensive. They are about 25.00 a bottle, and that bottle only lasts three weeks or so. I've bought cheaper ones, and find they work not quite as well, but nearly so. I probably only need to take one at this point, and I'm still swallowing two - so that might make more sense. Anyway, they are gluten-free, and potent, and cover all the bases. It has twice as many enzymes as another brand I've taken.

The other thing I take is Betain-HCI. It is "supposed" to increase your stomach acid, though I've read things that say it doesn't. I don't know if it helps. But I'm doing the regimine my nutritionist put me on.

It certainly improved the quality of my stool, and, I imagine, how much I am getting out of my foods.

I plan to wean off them in another four months - see if I can make all the good stuff on my own.

Thank you for the information. Where do you buy them? Do you get them on line or a local store? I'm planning to go look for them tomorrow. Hopefully I can find them.

Thanks again,

Carol :)

  • 3 weeks later...
Super Bellybutton Rookie
Super Bellybutton
Posted

How fast did it take for you guys to get results?

I'm taking some right now that are gluten-free (namely those without the malt diastase). They seem to help with my blood sugar a little though.

BRUMI1968 Collaborator
BRUMI1968
Posted

What I noticed right away was that my stool was no longer accompanied by undigested food bits. Yuck, I know, but that's what I noticed right away.

I buy the Digest Gold at the food co-op, but I think "super Supplements" carries them as well. Enzymedica also has a website.

Good luck.

Lymetoo Contributor
Lymetoo
Posted
Which enzymes do you recommend?

NOW brand is gluten free! good quality and NOT expensive. Available at any good health food store and probably online.

Maybe www.Lame Advertisement.com ?? My favorite place is vitacost, but they don't carry it.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jsingh
      - Jsingh replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Son's legs shaking

      Hi, My 7 year daughter has complained of this in the past, which I thought were part of her glutening symptom, but more recently I have come to figure out it's part of her histamine overload symptom. This one symptom was part of her broader profile, which included irritability, extreme hunger, confusion, post-nasal drip. You might want to look up "histamine...
    2. lizzie42
      - lizzie42 posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Son's legs shaking

      My 5yo was diagnosed with celiac last year by being tested after his sister was diagnosed. We are very strict on the gluten-free diet, but unsure what his reactions are as he was diagnosed without many symptoms other than low ferritin. He had a school party where his teacher made gluten-free gingerbread men. I almost said no because she made it in her...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Paulaannefthimiou's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      Not necessarily. The "Gluten Free" label means not more than 20ppm of gluten in the product which is often not enough for super sensitive celiacs. You would need to be looking for "Certified Gluten Free" (GFCO endorsed) which means no more than 10ppm of gluten. Having said that, "Gluten Free" doesn't mean that there will necessarily be more gluten than "Certified...
    4. trents
      - trents replied to jenniber's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      10

      Disaccharide deficient, confusing biopsy results, no blood test

      I think it is wise to seek a second opinion from a GI doc and to go on a gluten free diet in the meantime. The GI doc may look at all the evidence, including the biopsy report, and conclude you don't need anything else to reach a dx of celiac disease and so, there would be no need for a gluten challenge. But if the GI doc does want to do more testing, you...
    5. Paulaannefthimiou
      - Paulaannefthimiou posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      Are Bobresmill gluten free oats ok for sensitive celiacs?
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,859
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Santa Don
    Newest Member
    Santa Don
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jsingh
      Son's legs shaking

      By Jsingh · Posted

      Hi,  My 7 year daughter has complained of this in the past, which I thought were part of her glutening symptom, but more recently I have come to figure out it's part of her histamine overload symptom. This one symptom was part of her broader profile, which included irritability, extreme hunger, confusion, post-nasal drip. You might want to look up "histamine intolerance". I wish I had known of this at the time of her diagnosis, life would have been much easier.  I hope you are able to figure out. 
    • lizzie42
      Son's legs shaking

      By lizzie42 · Posted

      My 5yo was diagnosed with celiac last year by being tested after his sister was diagnosed. We are very strict on the gluten-free diet, but unsure what his reactions are as he was diagnosed without many symptoms other than low ferritin.  He had a school party where his teacher made gluten-free gingerbread men. I almost said no because she made it in her kitchen but I thought it would be ok.  Next day and for a few after his behavior is awful. Hitting, rude, disrespectful. Mainly he kept saying his legs were shaking. Is this a gluten exposure symptom that anyone else gets? Also the bad behavior? 
    • trents
      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      By trents · Posted

      Not necessarily. The "Gluten Free" label means not more than 20ppm of gluten in the product which is often not enough for super sensitive celiacs. You would need to be looking for "Certified Gluten Free" (GFCO endorsed) which means no more than 10ppm of gluten. Having said that, "Gluten Free" doesn't mean that there will necessarily be more gluten than "Certified Gluten" in any given batch run. It just means there could be. 
    • trents
      Disaccharide deficient, confusing biopsy results, no blood test

      By trents · Posted

      I think it is wise to seek a second opinion from a GI doc and to go on a gluten free diet in the meantime. The GI doc may look at all the evidence, including the biopsy report, and conclude you don't need anything else to reach a dx of celiac disease and so, there would be no need for a gluten challenge. But if the GI doc does want to do more testing, you can worry about the gluten challenge at that time. But between now and the time of the appointment, if your symptoms improve on a gluten free diet, that is more evidence. Just keep in mind that if a gluten challenge is called for, the bare minimum challenge length is two weeks of the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten, which is about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread. But, I would count on giving it four weeks to be sure.
    • Paulaannefthimiou
      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      By Paulaannefthimiou · Posted

      Are Bobresmill gluten free oats ok for sensitive celiacs?
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.