Digestive Enzymes

[kbtoyssni]

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.

[Rachel--24]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Carolita]

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

[BRUMI1968]

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]

  Bully4You said:

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

[Super Bellybutton]

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]

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]

  Carolita said:

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.