Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Benefiber

Clhaddon
 Share

Recommended Posts

Clhaddon Newbie
Clhaddon
Posted

My doctor recommended Benefiber for IBS with constipation.  I started taking it about four days ago.  The box says gluten free on it. 
I am having multiple loose bms daily.   Tonight I went to the Benefiber website and was shocked to find wheat dextrin listed as an ingredient.  They say it does not exceed the FDA’s 20ppm limit but anyone with gluten intolerance should not use it.  I was diagnosed with celiac disease over 20 years ago and have not had this much of a problem since as I stay away from gluten completely.  I am shocked that they can claim a gluten free product that has wheat of any amount in it. How can this be legal?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Wheat dextrin is highly processed and comes from the starch and not the protein of the wheat kernel.  It is gluten free, but I can imagine that it would freak you out seeing it on a label.  I felt the same when I saw this in Europe where wheat dextrin is used in gluten-free products.  In the US, we usually use corn as the base.  (Benefiber is made in France based on my Target website search and reading the label).  

So, this product is technically safe.  You may be a very sensitive celiac though.

https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/is-it-gluten-free/dextrin/

But this is a lot of fiber!  Any change to your diet can cause GI upset.  Stop the product for a day or so and add it slowly in building to a full dose over a week or so. 

Worry more about why you are constipated.  Is your celiac disease in remission?  Get follow-up testing.   Do you have another health issue like Crohn’s or thyroiditis?   Are you drinking water?  Are you eating your veggies?  Many doctors think bread equals fiber.  Not true.  You can get plenty of fiber from veggies, but you have to buy and eat them.  

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,064
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Lexxi Hartless
    Newest Member
    Lexxi Hartless
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Blood results

      By trents · Posted

      Maybe celiac but maybe NCGS that was misdiagnosed as IBS morphing gradually into celiac. Is NCGS a new category to you? It shares many of the same GI symptoms with celiac disease but does not damage the small bowel lining like celiac.
    • knitty kitty
      Oral thrush question

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Thiamine has antifungal properties.  The body uses thiamine to keep bacteria and yeasts from overgrowth in the digestive system.   Fluconazole use can cause thiamine deficiency.   Supplementing with thiamine in the form Benfotiamine would be beneficial as Benfotiamine promotes intestinal healing.   Thiamine and the other B vitamins tend to be low in Celiac due to malabsorption.  Talk to your doctor about supplementing vitamins and minerals.
    • Scott Adams
      Nutrient deficiencies despite normal MARSH and strict gluten-free diet

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Welcome @Natalia Revelo, your experience is profoundly difficult and, sadly, not entirely unique within the celiac community. It's the frustrating reality of "silent" or ongoing damage that isn't captured by the MARSH score alone, which only measures active villous atrophy. Your normal biopsy suggests your diet is preventing the classic autoimmune attack, but it doesn't mean your gut has fully healed or that other issues aren't at play. The inflammation from your newly discovered milk and egg allergies is a huge clue; this constant allergic response can create a low-grade inflammatory environment that severely hampers nutrient absorption, effectively creating a "leaky gut" scenario independent of celiac damage. This is likely why your iron stores deplete so rapidly—your body is both unable to absorb it efficiently and may be losing it through inflammation. While the functional medicine path is expensive, it's clearly providing answers and relief that traditional gastroenterology, focused solely on the gluten-free diet and biopsy results, is missing. To move forward, continue the gut-healing protocols your functional doctor recommends (perhaps exploring alternative options to glutamine that won't irritate your cystitis), maintain your strict avoidance of all allergens and irritants, and know that true healing is a multi-faceted process. You might seek a second opinion from a different gastroenterologist who is more knowledgeable about non-responsive celiac disease and the complex interplay of food allergies and micronutrient absorption, but your current path, while costly, seems to be leading you toward the steady health you need.
    • knitty kitty
      Blood results

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Have you had a DNA test to look for Celiac disease genes?  If she doesn't have any celiac specific genes, look for another explanation.  If she does have Celiac genes, assume they are turned on and active Celiac disease is progressing.  All first degree relatives (mother, father, siblings, children) should be genetically tested as well.   Sometimes blood tests are ambiguous or false negatives if one has anemia, diabetes or thiamine deficiency.  Certain medications like antihistamines and steroids can suppress the immune system and result in false negatives or ambiguous results on antibody tests.  
    • Heatherisle
      Blood results

      By Heatherisle · Posted

      That was just the visual report, so need to wait for confirmation or otherwise from the results. They did take a biopsy from the upper end of the duodenum(D1). D2 looked unremarkable on the camera. Just wish we didn’t have to wait so long for the results as she’s naturally a very anxious person. But thanks so much for taking the time to answer me
×
×
  • Create New...