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

Tell Me About "gluten Defense" Pills

Katrala

By Katrala
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Katrala Contributor
Katrala
Posted

I recently stumbled across information regarding "Gluten Defense" pills (and other similar pills) and my first thought was that if I did a Google search regarding them, I'd find plenty of information saying the whole thing was a scam of sorts.

I have several questions regarding these pills. Some background information, first: I have celiac and my symptoms from gluten still aren't completely predictable. Occasional brain fog, tinging, sometimes GI symptoms. While I sometimes feel a few symptoms (none that would cause me to miss work, for example, but I'm also one of those "I need to be on my death bed before I call in sick" people,) I do think my symptoms are more long-term (I lost excessive weight, felt bad, etc. before diagnosis.)

So..

1. Would these pills help a Celiac with non-GI symptoms (neuro symptoms, etc?) I'm ABSOLUTELY NOT thinking of this as a "go eat what you want or even in questionable restaurants" magic pill. I'm thinking, "What if I go to PF Chang's (the one here locally does a great job with gluten-free) and order off their gluten-free menu and take all precautions, but somewhere along the way the server, cook, etc. accidentally contaminates something?" Would the pills help then?

2. I know the pills help with digestion of gluten, but with the case of Celiac (not referring to any other type of gluten-sensitivity,) has any research been done to prove or disprove if the pills help control the damage that is done by accidental (again, taking precautions beforehand) CC?

Thanks in advance for any information!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jenniferxgfx Contributor
Jenniferxgfx
Posted

Two words: snake oil.

There are NO treatments for preventing a gluten reaction except avoiding gluten.

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

Although, there's some possibility that they might help with tiny amounts of CC, but only if you took them before you ate. After the fact won't help at all.

If you decide to try them as a preventative measure, please report back and tell us your experiences.

captaincrab55 Collaborator
captaincrab55
Posted

Although, there's some possibility that they might help with tiny amounts of CC, but only if you took them before you ate. After the fact won't help at all.

If you decide to try them as a preventative measure, please report back and tell us your experiences.

Jesjar, Where can one get these Magic Pills???

jebby Enthusiast
jebby
Posted

I just checked out these pills on the Enzymatic Therapy website (they are the manufacturer of "Gluten Defense"). The enzymes in these pills appear to be pancreatic enzymes. As long as one has a healthy pancreas, their own body makes all of these enzymes to start with. None of the enzymes in this pill specifically target gluten or gliadin, just proteins in general.

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

Jesjar, Where can one get these Magic Pills???

I think one brand name is 'glutenease' but I'm not sure. I've never tried them and I'm dubious of their efficacy, but if any one on the board does decide to shell out a few bucks and test them, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I just checked out these pills on the Enzymatic Therapy website (they are the manufacturer of "Gluten Defense"). The enzymes in these pills appear to be pancreatic enzymes. As long as one has a healthy pancreas, their own body makes all of these enzymes to start with. None of the enzymes in this pill specifically target gluten or gliadin, just proteins in general.

Thanks for taking the time to do that. :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

The enzyme in all the so-called gluten pills is DPP-IV. It is NOT one of the enzymes in clinical trials and it will not detoxify gluten. It does not cleave internal di-prolines, which are what cause problems digesting gluten in the first place. DPP-IV only works on prolines at the ends of peptides. These companies are lying, using the FDA dietary supplement loopholes.

Most of the pills are enzyme mixes. Celiacs tend to have reduced pancreatic activity, so a lot of people find the "gluten defense" style pills help them feel better after a meal. This leads them to believe the pills are breaking down gluten. They're not helping with the gluten at all. What they're doing is adding some enzymes and if your pancreas isn't working well, you feel a little better.

Anyone who finds these pills helpful can save money with a less expensive digestive enzyme supplement. Once you've been gluten-free for a while and healed, your pancreas should crank out enough enzymes that you can stop using them.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,542
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    NoemiMG
    Newest Member
    NoemiMG
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.5k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • PixieSticks
      Working in a kitchen with gluten?

      By PixieSticks · Posted

      Hi yes! I was diagnosed 10 years ago through a biopsy. I’ve been gluten free ever since but no one I’m around is gluten free. I sometimes wore a surgical mask in the kitchen. but I believe particles were still getting through. I’ll definitely look into n95 instead. thanks for the reply. 
    • BoiseNic
      Skinesa

      By BoiseNic · Posted

      Ya I used to react to iodine, but it doesn't bother me anymore after strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for many years now. I am happy to report that for the first time ever in my life, a probiotic formula is not making me break out, but actually seems to be helping. The strains in this formula have been specifically tested to help with skin issues. It is gluten and dairy free also. 
    • knitty kitty
      Feeling ill

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Whyz, I take a combination of Thiamin (Benfotiamin), B12 Cobalamine and Pyridoxine B6 for my pain and headaches.  Really works well without hurting the digestive tract.  Riboflavin B2 also helps with migraines.  Most newly diagnosed people have vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  Check with your doctor and nutritionist.   If you follow the updated gluten challenge guidelines, you can wait until two weeks (minimum) before your appointment, then eat lots of gluten, like six slices of gluten containing bread or "name your poison".   Here's the Updated Gluten Challenge Guidelines: Recommended intake of gluten should be increased to 10 grams of gluten per day for at least two weeks. Or longer. While three grams of gluten will begin the immune response, ten grams of gluten is needed to get antibody levels up to where they can be measured in antibody tests and changes can be seen in the small intestine.   Keep in mind that there are different amounts of gluten in different kinds of bread and gluten containing foods.  Pizza crust and breads that are thick and chewy contain more gluten than things like cake and cookies.   References: https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/the-gluten-challenge/ And... Evaluating Responses to Gluten Challenge: A Randomized, Double-Blind, 2-Dose Gluten Challenge Trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7878429/?report=reader  "In our study, limited changes in Vh:celiac disease (villi height vs crypt depth - aka damage to the small intestine)  following 14-day challenge with 3 g of gluten were observed, in accordance with Sarna et al.  While the 3 g dose was sufficient to initiate an immune response, as detected by several biomarkers such as IL-2, the 10 g dose was required for enteropathy within the study time frame. Based on our data, we would suggest that gluten challenge should be conducted over longer durations and/or using doses of gluten of ≥ 3 g/day to ensure sufficient histological change can be induced." Keep us posted on your progress!
    • Scott Adams
      Advantages vs. Disadvantages of having an official Celiac diagnosis

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I don't believe that existing life insurance policies require such notifications--health checks are typically done before such policies are obtained. I believe it would primarily affect any new policy you get, and perhaps any policy renewal.
    • Scott Adams
      Feeling ill

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You could go gluten-free now, and then start eating lots of gluten for at least 2 weeks before your endoscopy--just be sure to tell your doctor about this beforehand. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet, it is further evidence of celiac disease and/or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.  
×
×
  • Create New...