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 Enzyme Supplement - Stomach Pain

Craig E

Recommended Posts

Craig E Newbie
Craig E
Posted

Hi all. I'm new to the forums here. My wife was recently confirmed with gluten intolerance (based on results from Enterolab) and I have been researching what vitamins and supplements are beneficial for healing the gut / intestines (in addition to a gluten-free/CF diet).

As a result, my wife began taking a digestive eznyme supplement (Digest Gold from Enzymedica - defintiely gluten-free) and about 2 days after starting the enzymes she began having severe abdominal pain. She temporarily stopped taking the enzyme as the pain was too extreme. Has anyone encountered this side effect when initially taking enzymes? I did some research and read that this may be short term and could be due to the body getting acclimated to the enzymes. Also read that the body may be going through a form of detox as toxins are being flushed out.

Any experiences / information that anyone has related to this would be really helpful.

Thanks.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

Well, the product you mentioned has maltase, an enzyme which is often derived from barley. The company's website doesn't specify the source. I did try an enzyme product or two before I knew that just because it says gluten-free, doesn't mean it really is, and I had horrible experience with them. In my research, I read that the enzymes derived from microbes are more effective, as they can withstand the acidity of the stomach. So I've been using a product formulated with enzymes from microbial sources, and haven't had any trouble with them.

I even tried some products specifically designed for individuals having trouble with gluten, also with bad results. Turns out, even those products had barley enzymes. So you really need to know the sources of the enzymes.

Two products I'm aware of which are derived entirely from microbes are NOW Foods Digest Platinum, and one from Doctor's Best.

I don't know of any reason why the body would need to acclimate to digestive enzymes. That may be a myth, just as the idea of "breaking in" a new pair of shoes.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Well, the product you mentioned has maltase, an enzyme which is often derived from barley. The company's website doesn't specify the source. I did try an enzyme product or two before I knew that just because it says gluten-free, doesn't mean it really is, and I had horrible experience with them. In my research, I read that the enzymes derived from microbes are more effective, as they can withstand the acidity of the stomach. So I've been using a product formulated with enzymes from microbial sources, and haven't had any trouble with them.

I even tried some products specifically designed for individuals having trouble with gluten, also with bad results. Turns out, even those products had barley enzymes. So you really need to know the sources of the enzymes.

Two products I'm aware of which are derived entirely from microbes are NOW Foods Digest Platinum, and one from Doctor's Best.

I don't know of any reason why the body would need to acclimate to digestive enzymes. That may be a myth, just as the idea of "breaking in" a new pair of shoes.

ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME?? :blink: I have been using DIGEST GOLD for 5 weeks because someone on here said it was gluten-free. I read their website completely. Their label specifically says NO GLUTEN...so, what are we supposed to believe?? SONUVA.... :blink::angry::o

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

If pineapple is something that she likes that has a natural digestive enzyme in it. Perhaps a few pieces with each meal might help.

Pepto Bismal liquid, name brand might help with the stomach pain if it is still present.

Craig E Newbie
Craig E
Posted
  • Author

If pineapple is something that she likes that has a natural digestive enzyme in it. Perhaps a few pieces with each meal might help.

Pepto Bismal liquid, name brand might help with the stomach pain if it is still present.

Thanks for info. Her stomach is slowly improving but still in pain. We'll try the Pepto and pineapple (after she forgives me for getting her to take the enzyme).

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

I suggest she stop the Digest Gold for a while and see if that clears up the problem. The thing is, we can be sensitive (food wise) to any ingredient/chemical. So the simplest thing is to eliminate any items with multiple ingredients and see what happens.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME?? :blink: I have been using DIGEST GOLD for 5 weeks because someone on here said it was gluten-free. I read their website completely. Their label specifically says NO GLUTEN...so, what are we supposed to believe?? SONUVA.... :blink::angry::o

Yeah, labeling laws don't really fully cover it. As long as a product contains less than 20ppm, they can say it's gluten-free. But in this case, the company doesn't specify the source of the maltase. At least not that I could find. You'd have to contact them, and get a specific answer.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Yeah, labeling laws don't really fully cover it. As long as a product contains less than 20ppm, they can say it's gluten-free. But in this case, the company doesn't specify the source of the maltase. At least not that I could find. You'd have to contact them, and get a specific answer.

I understand....Thanks for your thoughts! as I said in my other post, I just keep learning. One woman said she called the company and they said it's not from barley. Whom do you trust? my own gut (pun intended) :)

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Thanks for info. Her stomach is slowly improving but still in pain. We'll try the Pepto and pineapple (after she forgives me for getting her to take the enzyme).

May have been the enzymes or not. Maybe she is just still pretty raw and sensitive to anything. My gut is up and down (2 months gluten-free)...tell her to hang in there. Baby the tummy for now. Hope she feels better soon!

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Yeah, labeling laws don't really fully cover it. As long as a product contains less than 20ppm, they can say it's gluten-free. But in this case, the company doesn't specify the source of the maltase. At least not that I could find. You'd have to contact them, and get a specific answer.

And we have to keep in mind that the labeling laws only apply to food not to supplements or either OTC or script drugs. For those the allergens do not have to be listed.

  • 1 month later...
vianet88 Newbie
vianet88
Posted

funny thing I've had this issue with strong stomach aches when I take digestive enzymes, I kinda thought it was a cleansing process as well, but the stomach pain was at

times unbearable. I've found that different products have different effects. I'm currently taking digestmore by Renew Life and 1 capsule literally is enough to have me in

in pain for several hours. FYI about 6 years ago when I was on a D.E regimen it was very effective in helping me reduce my weight by over 30lbs. Currently I'm 40-50

pounds overweight and as I said the pain seems a bit unbearable at times. I was hoping for some suggestions or solutions as well. I've tried others that don't effect me as dramatically,

and I wasn't sure if they were just not working or just not that strong. Would love to continue on a regimen but I don't think I have the time or tolerance for the pain associated.

Very interested in any additional knowledge or effect brands without the pain. thanks

Igg postive Rookie
Igg postive
Posted

Well, the product you mentioned has maltase, an enzyme which is often derived from barley. The company's website doesn't specify the source. I did try an enzyme product or two before I knew that just because it says gluten-free, doesn't mean it really is, and I had horrible experience with them. In my research, I read that the enzymes derived from microbes are more effective, as they can withstand the acidity of the stomach. So I've been using a product formulated with enzymes from microbial sources, and haven't had any trouble with them.

I even tried some products specifically designed for individuals having trouble with gluten, also with bad results. Turns out, even those products had barley enzymes. So you really need to know the sources of the enzymes.

Two products I'm aware of which are derived entirely from microbes are NOW Foods Digest Platinum, and one from Doctor's Best.

I don't know of any reason why the body would need to acclimate to digestive enzymes. That may be a myth, just as the idea of "breaking in" a new pair of shoes.

Thanks for the information! I have been trying a "gluten free" enzyme and having trouble with it. Do you have suggestions on Vitamins?

liss7217 Newbie
liss7217
Posted

Thanks for info. Her stomach is slowly improving but still in pain. We'll try the Pepto and pineapple (after she forgives me for getting her to take the enzyme).

I agree with ravenwoodglass pineapple really helps me. Digestive enzymes also really bother my stomach. She can also try Bromelain which is a natural supplement that's derived from pineapples and is also supposed to help the body with inflammation as well, which is very common for people with Celiacs Disease and gluten intolerance. Hope she is feeling better.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,620
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Loni75
    Newest Member
    Loni75
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

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



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Thank you, really.  I took a test for DGP-IgA and DGP-IgG. Effectively, it is not enough to discard Celiac Disease. I was consuming gluten until then, I only started gluten-free some days ago, when the symptoms became horrible and now I feel considerably better, which is a second confirmation that gluten is the main problem. It's been more than 4 years I have the same suspect, when I first thought gluten was causing me problems, I made a gluten-free diet for a year, I felt really good as never before. However, neither I or my parents were well informed about Celiac disease, so none of us tried to make further exams. My father suffer digestive problems and other members of my family as well. Unfortunately, no one have ever been tested for Celiac disease. I'll have to restart eating gluten in the next weeks, so I can make a serious blood test in laboratory, hopefully between two or three months.
    • trents
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By trents · Posted

      As Scott said, in order for celiac disease testing to be valid, you need to be eating generous amounts of gluten on a regular basis for weeks or months before the blood draw. The blood tests are designed to detect antibodies that the immune system produces in response to the ingestion of gluten. It takes time for them to build up in the blood to detectable levels.
    • Scott Adams
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely crucial that you pursue further medical exams for Celiac Disease and related conditions with a gastroenterologist. Your symptoms—especially the worsening fatigue, loss of muscle mass, neurological symptoms like migraines, and palpitations, coupled with being underweight—are significant red flags that extend beyond typical IBS. The negative home test is not reliable, particularly given your concern about sample contamination and the fact that you were likely not consuming sufficient gluten at the time for the test to be accurate, which is a common issue. While probiotics like Bifidobacterium Infantis can support gut health, they cannot resolve an autoimmune response to gluten or heal intestinal damage caused by Celiac Disease. Your declining blood test results, even if still "in range," further indicate a trend that needs a doctor's investigation. Please do not hesitate to seek a specialist; a formal diagnosis is the first step toward getting the correct treatment, allowing your body to heal, and finally addressing your weight and overall health concerns. This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.    
    • Scott Adams
      Buckwheat

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I would only add that cross contamination with wheat may still be a possibility, so it's still best to seek out buckwheat that is labeled "gluten-free."
    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Hello, I've been diagnosed with IBS since I was little. I’ve visited many doctors because my intestines have always been very reactive to food. I have chronic swelling, and I struggle to gain weight. This year has been worse than others: I started noticing fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and many digestive problems, especially after consuming products with gluten. My doctor suggested that this might be due to some imbalance of gut bacteria, so I started taking Bifidobacterium Infantis supplements. However, my symptoms have been getting worse every day. I experience nausea, frequent abdominal pain, migraines, and palpitations after eating. I had these symptoms before, but now they are more intense. I thought I might have Non-celiac gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease, so I took a home test for Celiac, and it came out negative (though there may have been an error—I was nervous and accidentally contaminated the sample with air bubbles). Based on your experiences, should I pursue further medical exams for Celiac? I’m worried about being underweight and about my blood test results, which, even if still within normal ranges, have been declining each year.
×
×
  • 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.