Getting Glutened By My Vitamin... But Where's The Gluten?!

[mesmerize]

For the past several weeks, I've been having TONS of tummy issues. It seemed like I would get sick almost every afternoon at work, no matter what I ate (even if I only had leftovers that hadn't bothered me the night before). I couldn't figure it out and it was driving me crazy!

Well two days ago, I had a lightbulb-moment... What else was I having at lunch? My VITAMIN! How dumb, I can't believe I didn't figure it out before this. It all makes sense now... A few weeks ago I spent several days away on vacation and forgot my vitamins -- I was so surprised that I didn't get sick once the whole trip! Now I quit taking them again 2 days ago, and I haven't had tummy problems since then. SUCH a relief.

Anyway, I'm sitting here looking at this bottle of vitamins (OneSource Women's) which I read online was supposed to be gluten-free. I've been doing this gluten-free thing long enough that I think I know what to look for on labels, and I can't see ANYTHING even remotely suspicious on this label. What the heck? Where's the gluten coming from?? I never even thought twice about taking these because all the ingredients seemed okay AND I read that they were gluten free.

It just kills me that I've been suffering for the past several weeks without realizing that I was doing it to myself!

[stargazer]

Hi mesmerize, I had the same problem when I first went gluten free. I don't think they list all the inactive ingredients that they use to "stabalize" the tablet when making it. You have to call the company. If they aren't straight forward, then switch to another brand. Good luck.

[somegirl2004]

I used to have the same problem. All of the supposedly gluten-free vitamins I was trying made me incredibly nauseous within an hour of taking them. I tried so many different kinds and they all made me sick, even though they were gluten free. I even refused to take vitamins for awhile!! After being lectured by my nurse practitioner and my mom, I decided to continue on my search for a vitamin that didn't make me feel like laying in the fetal position for hours! Anyway, I'm now on Nature Made Multi Daily, though I'm gonna try the kind made just for women after this bottle runs out. It even says "No Chmical Solvents, Yeast, or Gluten" on the back!

Anyway, good luck searching for a vitamin! I know it can be frustrating!!

-- Erin

[Phyllis28]

I only use vitamins that are labled on the bottle "No Gluten". I have used Nature Made without any problems. Please note Nature Made is sold at Costco in large sizes which reduces the cost.

[mesmerize]

Awesome, I think I'm going to stop on my way home from work and try to find some Nature Made ones. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

I was also thinking that maybe there was something else in my vitamin that was making me sick... I mean, besides gluten. Like a reaction to one of the specific vitamins or something. I have no idea though -- any ideas?

-Sara-

[ArtGirl]

I've been having similar problems with vitamins, too. Just a week or so ago I decided the return of my GI symptoms and fatigue was related to my supplements. Which ones??? Not sure. So I stopped all of them. Now I'm giong to reintroduce them one at a time.

I am NOT, however, going to take the multi-vitamins again. I'm almost SURE I get a reaction to them. Probably not gluten, though. It's most likely related to my corn allergy (vit. c and e are usually made from corn, although the bottle says no corn).

Supplements can be real tricky for people with other food allergies - especially the multi-vitamins.

[tiffjake]

I have seen wheat and barley in some meds, which makes no sense to me, there are other starches and flavorings to use....but anyway, I use GNC multi's. They are gluten free, soy free, I think corn free, lots of stuff free. And they are pretty cheap, unlike a lot of "special" vitamins.

[dadoffiveboys]

My new practice in identifying gluten in things.. I don't call.. I make the PHARMACIST do it (that's their job!!). Even if you buy an in-store product.. they are required to check for allergins for you. I also found they get much more knowledgable reps then you would!! BTW - most are switching to using Xanthum Gum and Corn starch for stabalizers but you do have to ask by brand.

I also made the Pharmacist stick in my file (and my children's file) gluten allergy and to make sure everything is gluten-free.

[hathor]

Hi, mesmorize ...

I see you are limiting soy. Do you react to it? If so, do your offending vitamins SAY they are soy free? Many vitamins do contain soy and may not list this in the ingredients. I was having a reaction to a new supplement & I emailed the company. Sure enough, soy.

[buffettbride]

My husband and I have problems with vitamins in general and we are not gluten-free, just our DD. We both get sick when we taking vitamins w/ Iron. We both puke within about 30 minutes of taking it.

We loved the One A Day Carb Smart (I don't know if it is gluten-free or not) but they don't make it any more. It did not have any added iron assuming a low-carb eater would be eating a lot of lean meat w/ plenty of iron.

So, my point is, maybe find a low/no-iron vitamin that is gluten-free and give that a try.

[tiffjake]

My new practice in identifying gluten in things.. I don't call.. I make the PHARMACIST do it (that's their job!!). Even if you buy an in-store product.. they are required to check for allergins for you. I also found they get much more knowledgable reps then you would!! BTW - most are switching to using Xanthum Gum and Corn starch for stabalizers but you do have to ask by brand.

I also made the Pharmacist stick in my file (and my children's file) gluten allergy and to make sure everything is gluten-free.

Great advice, just be sure that it is actually the pharmacist that fills your script, and not the tech, like in most major chains (Wal-mart, Walgreens, etc). Also, pharmacists do not handle vitamins that are OTC, so that might pose a problem if you are counting on them to know that information......