Digestive Enzymes?

[gf4life]

I have been gluten free now for 18 days. I have just had an awful time. The first two times on the gluten-free diet (before testing) I felt relief of symptoms within a few days. After the two months of gluten loading for the biopsy, I am now gluten free forever, but not finding the relief, yet. I figure since I was consuming more gluten than I usually did on my normal diet, that I may have done too much damage and it is taking longer to heal.

I was wondering if maybe some digestive enzymes might help. I have had a few gluten accidents (mostly from eating out), but even on the days when I know everything I ate was gluten-free, I still have trouble digesting anything. I have too much bloating and gas, and stomach pain, acid reflux, and headaches. I know that it takes time to feel better, but I just want the bloating, gas and stomach pain to ease up.

What is the best kind of enzymes to take? I was looking at the store the other day and the digestive enzymes they sell appear to be gluten-free, but contain ox bile. That doesn't sound very appealing to me. Are there any that do not contain animal bile?

Right now I can't eat any fruit, beans, yeast, guar gum, most veggies are hard to digest. Rice appears to be okay, but I can't live on just rice. And the rice products cause the same reaction as everything else. It is really just plain rice that works. I am very frustrated. Any help would be appreciated.

God bless,

Mariann

[Lily]

Mariann,

I am having the same problems. Each time I go gluten free, it seems I am more sensitive than the next time. I saw a new dr. yesterday who told me it can take up to 3 weeks to heal from a single gluten accident. Since I have been totally gluten free for only a week now (boring bland diet, I know!) I'm hoping he's right and I'll feel better soon. Even though I'm eating properly now, it's not going to happen overnight, which is frustrating. I ended up seeing a nutritionist who specializes in Celiac Disease and will be happy to email you her website if you want. I'm on about 7 different supplements right now, but the program was designed specifically for me by my blood tests.

Here's to feeling better!

Lily

[DLayman]

Try making sure you peel seed and cook your veggies. Try squashes.. butternut squash, acorn squash spagetti squash... they might be easy on your system.

[gf4life]

Thanks Lily, would love to be able to see a nutritionalist, but in order to get my insurance to pay I have to have an "official" diagnosis. Another reason I pushed for the biopsy! I can't get my doctor to run any blood tests or bone scans or anything. She doesn't believe I have celiac disease. I know I do, and I have my Enterolab diagnosis to back me up. I am the kind of person who doesn't like to take supplements unless I know that I need them. So right now I'm not taking anything. But I thought I might try the digestive enzymes to see if they help....

Thanks DLayman, I'll try the cooked squash. I haven't had any in a while. I'm the only one who eats it... I can't seem to tolerate anything like broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, beans (of any kind), potatoes and corn are questionable, guar gum seems to bother me, (probably since it is a bean!), and yeast. I've been going easy on the fruit, since it seems to be fermenting in my intestines. Everything seems to be hard to digest right now. I'm trying to be patient, but I just want to feel good.

I think I'll make some acorn squash for dinner. I usually eat it with butter on it, but no dairy for me, any suggestions on cooking and eating it?

I had to turn down a friend last night. We were supposed to go to one of her friends houses and do a little remodeling. She neglected to tell me it was out of town and then she wanted to leave at 7am! I had to say no, since I would have had to pack up my three kids early in the morning, on a Saturday, and also pack a full days worth of food for us all. To much planning and preparation, and I didn't know it was out of town until last night around 8 pm. My friend was very disappointed. This lifestyle is not easy and next time I will talk to her sooner about the details, so I can still go. I have to have time to prepare for an out of town trip. I can't just eat anywhere or anything... Well thanks for listening to me, and being so supportive.

God bless,

Mariann

[Guest LisaB]

NOW Plant Enzymes are gluten-free, they work great for me!

[Lily]

I use Tyler plant enzymes, they are gluten free.

[seeking-wholeness]

Mariann,

I have been using Pioneer brand Digestive Enzymes and Herbs. It is gluten-free (and they say they use extremely stringent standards) and free of soy and all animal products, and it contains glucoamylase, which I have read can help reduce the severity of MINOR gluten accidents. This product also contains artichoke leaf, peppermint leaf, fennel seed extract (4:1), gentian root extract (5:1), ginger root, and capsicum fruit. I know you don't like to use any substances you don't need, so you may decide to choose another brand, but I was impressed with this formulation because I believe all of the herbs are neutral for blood type A's on the BTD (except for the capsicum fruit for secretors, though I think it's a lesser evil than some, but I'll bet you're a non-secretor anyway!). I know, too, that gentian root and ginger root are very good for getting those stomach juices flowing, which we Type A's often need some help with!

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a rough time, and I hope you begin to feel much better very soon!

[gf4life]

Thanks Sarah. I suspect I am a non-secretor also. But I haven't bothered to test for that yet. Too busy with the celiac testing...

I'm still going to check into the enzymes. I'll be going to the healthfood store on Friday, and will see about getting some then.

Thanks everyone for your support.

God bless,

Mariann

[midnightlullaby]

Hi! I have had similar problems as you. I take garden of life brand digestive enzymes. They also have a drink mix called acid defense and it helps my acid reflux(you can find them by searching on vitaminshoppe.com). i also suck on dgl lozenges and drink pure aloe vera gel in smoothies when my throat hurts from the relux. Mine was pretty bad, it's getting much better on this regimen. hope this helps!

[Suzn14806]

Pardon my ignorance but what are digestive enzymes and what do they do?

[kejohe]

Okay... what does it mean when you're a "non-secretor"? I have never heard that term before.

[gf4life]

Suzn,

Your body needs many different enzymes to digest many different kinds of foods. With all the damage our intestines have gone through as celiacs we sometimes need a little help to aid in digestion. so digestive enzymes will help you get more out of your food. I certainly am not digesting well, only three weeks into the gluten-free diet (following an intense 2 months on a major gluten load for a biopsy) and I feel like I need to try the digestive enzymes.

Kathleen,

The terms secretor and non-secretor are referring to the Eat Right 4 Your Type blood type diet. I'm type A blood and the diet for that includes no wheat and no dairy, which is how I first found out about celiac after feeling so much better on that diet plan ( and researching wheat free). Sarah and I both have read all the books by Dr. Peter D'Adamo and there are some differences in what secretors and non-secretors can eat. There is a test that you can order to see what you are. It would alter your diet a bit by knowing, and would allow you to follow the diet more specifically to your needs.

Thanks to everyone for all their wonderful support and recommendations.

God bless,

Mariann

[smack]

Scientifically, nonsecretors are a smaller portion of the population who's blood type antigens (A, B, AB O) are not secreted in their boldily fluids (other than blood), they are only roughly 20 - 30% of the population depending on the blood type.

So, a person who is nonsecreter and AB- would not have this identifiable in their saliva, sweat or seminal/vaginal fluids. They would need a blood test or blood sample to determine the type of blood they have. Nonsecretors used to be more of a problem for crime lab reporting before the advent of DNA testing, as without a blood sample it would be impossible to ascertain the the blood type of nonsecretor.

[gf4life]

That is interesting. I learned something new today!

I suppose the secretor status test would probably be a saliva test? If it didn't show your blood type, then you are a non-secretor? Is that how it works?

[Guest LisaB]

Enzymes are protein chemicals, which carry a vital energy factor needed for every chemical action, and reaction that occurs in our body. There are approximately 1300 different enzymes found in the human cell. These enzymes can combine with co-enzymes to form nearly 100,000 various chemicals that enable us to see, hear, feel, move, digest food, and think. Every organ, every tissue, and all the 100 trillion cells in our body depend upon the reactions of metabolic enzymes and their energy factor. Nutrition cannot be explained without describing the part that enzymes play.

Protease breaks down protein, amylase breaks down carbohydrate and starch, and lipase breaks down fat. These three enzymes break down the majority of the type of food you eat. Added to these are: lactase (break down lactose-dairy), maltase & sucrase (break down food sugars), plus cellulase (break down cellulose and needed by those with food allergies).

Enzymes digest all of our food and make it small enough to pass through the villi (small pores of the intestines) and into the blood. The metabolic enzymes found in the blood then take the digested 45-known nutrients and build them into muscles, nerves, bones, blood, lungs, and various glands. Every cell in the body depends on certain enzymes. A protein digestive enzyme will not digest a fat; a fat enzyme will not digest a starch (carbohydrate). Each enzyme has a specific function in the body; this is referred to enzyme specificity. Enzymes act upon chemicals and change them into other chemicals, but enzymes themselves remain unchanged. Simply stated, our chemicals are changed from their original identify by the enzyme to other chemicals with a different identity. Without enzymes nothing in our body would work.

[smack]

Hi gf4Life,

Yes, I think it is a saliva test that determines your status. Is there a test for the Eat Right 4 Your Type diet? I'm AB-, but I don't know if I'm a scetetor or not, it would interesting to see what they list I should eat! I think I will also look into enzymes...are they expensive? I used to take Acidophilus and thought it help me in many ways.

LisaB, I knew about a little about enzymes but I didn't know they were as important as they are! I think I will really look into some digestive enzymes.

[s-berry]

Try some brown sugar or maple syrup (REAL) on your acorn squash. Its really really good!

[gf4life]

smack,

Yes there is a test you can order yourself. You can order the Secretor Test through Open Original Shared Link and two years ago it was around $40. I'm going to be getting some digetive enzymes tomorrow. I sure hope they help. I've been learning a lot about them, and I really think this may have been my problem with many of my ailments. Gluten really messes our bodies up, and I think many of us need a bit of help with the healing process. How can I possibly heal properly, if I can't absorb any of the nutrients from my food! Well, I'll let you know how they work for me.

s_berry,

I'll try the brown sugar. I don't care for the taste of maple syrup. The smell makes me gag. Thanks for the suggestions.

And I get my biopsy results back tomorrow.

God bless,

Mariann

[aldociao]

Mariann,

I too had some difficulty digesting when going gluten-free but nothing like what you are experiencing. So I don't know if the enzymes I'm taking would help you. They have helped me. You may need to consider stronger types than the food based enzymes (Rainbow Light) I'm using. Like you, I don't like to take supplements, especially those containing animal products, so I started with a vegetarian, less potent formulation than many I looked at. (I can always move up to stronger dosages if necessary, but that hasn't been necessary.) Rainbow Light is gluten-free.

I decided to buy three different formulations. The All-Zyme Original I take with light meals. The Double Strength formula I take with larger or heavier meals, and the All-Zyme + Lactase I take when including a small portion of dairy (about 1oz of raw goat cheese). I waited two months, as you and others have routinely recommend to others on the Board, before reintroducing dairy back into the diet. So far, no problem with the dairy meal--have also recently added Kefir and alternate this with the goat milk yogurt I've taken since I started with the gluten-free diet. (Fermented dairy has never been a problem for me and is bound to help heal the intestines.)

I have read, though can't remember where--and can't say how reliable the information is--that the effectiveness of taking enzymes diminishes considerably after two months. The suggestion was that after two months, one should skip the enzymes for one meal a day for one week, then the following week skip for two meals a day, then take the enzyme with just one meal every other day. By this time, so the thinking goes, your system should be back on track. I am now in the every other day mode--for the second week. I guess I'm a little reluctant to give up the enzymes completely but will soon. I can say that I've had no difficulty digesting even now that I'm no longer using these enzymes on a regular basis. I will stop taking them next week, and will use them only for special occasions, like restaurant or holiday meals.

Good luck with this,

Aldo

[gf4life]

Hi Everyone,

Happy Valentine's Day!

I went to the healthfood store yesterday and purchased some enzymes. I ended up getting two kinds: Pioneer brand Digestive Enzymes and Herbs, and Garden of Life Omega Zyme. The first is in capsule form and the second is a powder, and twice the potency of the first, and includes a few more different enzymes than the capsules.

And I don't know if it is just me, but I felt better already by the second meal with enzymes, yesterday. Do they usually start helping that fast? I am not as bloated, no more rumbling stomach and painful intestines. Only a small amount of gas, and the loose stools seem to be easing up. Which is good, because it was starting to get really bad.

Aldo,

thanks for the information regarding the use of enzymes. I was wondering if I would have to take them long term or what. I'll see how I feel in two months and start reducing the enzyme usage.

Another good thing to note is that cooking our foods kills off most of the enzymes in them, so it is good to eat as many foods as we can in their raw form. Obviously some foods have to be cooked, but if we incorperate raw foods into our diet on a daily basis, as often as possible, then that is better for digestion.

Thanks guys for all your help. I woke up feeling a lot better today, more optomistic. I know it takes time for feel really good, but now I am looking forward to it.

God bless,

Mariann

[Guest LisaB]

Yes, they helped me that fast, that was even before going gluten free. They work even better now.

[EmilyP2004]

I have been gluten free now for 18 days.  I have just had an awful time.  The first two times on the gluten-free diet (before testing) I felt relief of symptoms within a few days.  After the two months of gluten loading for the biopsy, I am now gluten free forever, but not finding the relief, yet.  I figure since I was consuming more gluten than I usually did on my normal diet, that I may have done too much damage and it is taking longer to heal. 

I was wondering if maybe some digestive enzymes might help.  I have had a few gluten accidents (mostly from eating out), but even on the days when I know everything I ate was gluten-free, I still have trouble digesting anything.  I have too much bloating and gas, and stomach pain, acid reflux, and headaches.  I know that it takes time to feel better, but I just want the bloating, gas and stomach pain to ease up. 

What is the best kind of enzymes to take?  I was looking at the store the other day and the digestive enzymes they sell appear to be gluten-free, but contain ox bile.  That doesn't sound very appealing to me.  Are there any that do not contain animal bile? 

Right now I can't eat any fruit, beans, yeast, guar gum, most veggies are hard to digest.  Rice appears to be okay, but I can't live on just rice.  And the rice products cause the same reaction as everything else.  It is really just plain rice that works.  I am very frustrated.  Any help would be appreciated.

God bless,

Mariann

*******************************************

If you prepare your own food from raw gluten-free ingredients you should  start to recover well .

It actually can take up to about 2 years to completely heal the villi that have been damaged by celiac disease.

Be sure not to get accidental gluten contamination. Have your own gluten-free area in the kitchen, do not share eg butter, spreads, chopping boards etc.

Can you find gluten-free organic bio natural yogurt?

This contains 'good bugs' which replenish the gut. They will not last forever but if you have this type of yogurt fairly often it should help with your digestion. If the yogurt is labelled 'suitable for vegetarians' you know there is no ox bile in there!

Open Original Shared Link

The aid reflux might be helped by-  loosening clothing when eating, eat slowly and try to relax at mealtimes, have water to drink with food, do not bend over or lie down soon after eating, avoid orange juice and mint.

Eat safe gluten-free rice cakes until you have found a suitable gluten-free bread which agrees with you and then use your own bread board, bin, toaster & knife.

Make sure your food never comes in contact with anything breaded or floured or any surface which has had breadcrumbs or flour on it. You may want to buy yourself a new wooden spoon & keep it separate from other such  spoons.

If you stick to eggs, cheese, plain meat or fish and rice, potatoes and vegetables and fruit like the coeliac's friend, the banana, you should be gluten-free and start to heal.

Look for gluten-free organic plain soy milk and soy desserts. These are high in protein and calcium and easy to digest.

Later you can try organic tofu and gluten-free soy sauce (Tamari) mixed in plain boiled rice.

So many processed foods contain gluten that it is easier to remain gluten-free at first by sticking to plain food that you make yourself.

This will probably be for a fairly short time but it is best to start with plain home-made gluten-free meals and add other things later, always being sure you keep your food as separate as possible - unless everyone is having a gluten-free meal.

If you prepare your own food from raw gluten-free ingredients you should start to recover well .

It actually can take up to about 2 years to completely heal the villi that have been damaged by celiac disease.

Be sure not to get accidental gluten contamination. Have your own gluten-free area in the kitchen, do not share eg butter, spreads, chopping boards etc.

Can you find gluten-free organic bio natural yogurt?

This contains 'good bugs' which replenish the gut. They will not last forever but if you have this type of yogurt fairly often it should help with your digestion. If the yogurt is labelled 'suitable for vegetarians' you know there is no ox bile in there!

Open Original Shared Link

The aid reflux might be helped by- loosening clothing when eating, eat slowly and try to relax at mealtimes, have water to drink with food, do not bend over or lie down soon after eating, avoid orange juice and mint.

Eat safe gluten-free rice cakes until you have found a suitable gluten-free bread which agrees with you and then use your own bread board, bin, toaster & knife.

Make sure your food never comes in contact with anything breaded or floured or any surface which has had breadcrumbs or flour on it. You may want to buy yourself a new wooden spoon & keep it separate from other such spoons.

If you stick to eggs, cheese, plain meat or fish and rice, potatoes and vegetables and fruit like the coeliac's friend, the banana, you should be gluten-free and start to heal.

Look for gluten-free organic plain soy milk and soy desserts. These are high in protein and calcium and easy to digest.

Later you can try organic tofu and gluten-free soy sauce (Tamari) mixed in plain boiled rice.

So many processed foods contain gluten that it is easier to remain gluten-free at first by sticking to plain food that you make yourself.

This will probably be for a fairly short time but it is best to start with plain home-made gluten-free meals and add other things later, always being sure you keep your food as separate as possible - unless everyone is having a gluten-free meal.

[tammy]

I use digestive enzymes by Vitamin Shoppe.

[gf4life]

EmilyP2004,

Thank you for all of your recommendations, but unfortunately most of them won't help me. I am allergic to soy, so all of the soy products are out, unless I want to live drugged out on benadryl everyday, and risk pushing my allergy to anaphalactic reactions. As for the yogurt, cheese, etc., I am also casein intolerant, so any type of dairy causes similar reaction for me as gluten.

I recently had a biopsy, and appearantly don't have much noticable damage in my intestine, although it is posible that they just happened to miss the damaged spots, but I found that the times before going back on gluten I responded very quickly to the gluten-free diet, and this time it was taking much longer to even get a little bit of relief. I've been on the digestive enzymes for three days, and I am amazed at how good I feel. I am still eating as many raw foods as possible, and I don't eat very many processed gluten-free foods. I am now able to eat a wider variety.

I keep my gluten-free cookware, utensils, toaster, grill, wafflemaker, etc. separate from my families things, and I use paper plates as a cutting board until I find a good one for myself.

I only wear loose clothing and I only drink water (64+ ounces a day) and gluten-free almond milk, usually one cup a day. I try not to bend over much at all right now, since I have a slight hiatal hernia and I am doing exercises to keep my stomach down and get my body to heal itself. I also try to eat 4 small meals a day. I don't drink juice and I have not been eating any acidic fruits, except pineapple, which actually is supposed to cut down on the stomach acid. I usually only have the acid reflux at night when I go to bed, so I don't eat within a few hours of bedtime and since I started the enzymes I have not had as much of a problem.

I try to keep all of the gluten foods away from my food, but I still have to prepare my children's food. They have to stay on gluten until they are done with their testing, and we are still waiting for the results of their blood/gene tests. So I find myself washing my hands after I touch any of their food, and my hands are getting quite dried out!

If any of my kids are positive, then the whole house will be gluten-free. Until then I run the risk of accidental contamination, but it won't be for too long. I try to be as careful as possible.

Again, thank you for your concern and all the helpful suggestions.

God bless,

Mariann

[YankeeDB]

My understanding is that a condition called "pancreatic insufficiency" usually underlies the need to take digestive enzymes. Perhaps this is secondary to celiac disease or maybe it exists on its own. In any case, perhaps there are tests for it that would help determine which enzymes are needed and that would help tailor the treatment for specific cases.