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 Enzymes

imisskitkats

By imisskitkats
in Doctors

Recommended Posts

imisskitkats Rookie
imisskitkats
Posted

My naturalpath suggest thorne bpp and vitalzyme enzymes to help me digest food. I am gluten and dairy intolerant and get excessive burping after eating ANYTHING. SHe says they are 100% safe and not addictive. My gastroenterologist says that the digestive enzymes are harmful and cause fiberous tissue like scar tissue to clog up in the colon that will eventually cause surgery. Who is right? I need them to eat but I also don't need more colon/digestive problems. I am only 32!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

My naturalpath suggest thorne bpp and vitalzyme enzymes to help me digest food. I am gluten and dairy intolerant and get excessive burping after eating ANYTHING. SHe says they are 100% safe and not addictive. My gastroenterologist says that the digestive enzymes are harmful and cause fiberous tissue like scar tissue to clog up in the colon that will eventually cause surgery. Who is right? I need them to eat but I also don't need more colon/digestive problems. I am only 32!

I googled the Thorne BPP product and was very impressed. That addresses hypochloridia (insufficient stomach acid which is much more common than excess stomach acid) and pancreatic insufficiency (which is rarer than hypochloridia, but still occasionally found). Both of those conditions can cause gas and burping after eating. So your ND had a good idea. I was diagnosed with hypochloridia by Heidelberg capsule test and now take betaine hydrochloride with every meal.

HOWEVER, my doc warns people not to use betaine hydrochloride unless they have been tested for stomach acid production (not just how much acid is in the esophagus). If people have H. Pylori which causes ulcers or any other stomach damage, HCl capsules can cause serious problems. The Thorne BP capsules contain about 500mg of HCl each. IF your doctor thinks you have hypochloridia or wants to test you for that, I suggest taking one capsule per meal and really pay attention to how you feel afterward. Even though I was diagnosed with Hypochloridia, I started with 1 capsule per meal and slowly worked up to my current level.

As for the gastro's comments, I don't know where he/she got those ideas. However mainstream docs are greatly influenced by Big Pharma, which opposes anything that can't be patented and sold as a 'drug'. I can only imagine what things pharmaceutical reps say about naturopathic recommended products.

imisskitkats Rookie
imisskitkats
Posted
  • Author

thank you for your reply. I was tested for low stomach acid by a stool sample. I was very low. I feel better when taking the digestive enzymes. No burping what so ever. If I don't take the the burping returns no matter what I eat. So it makes me feel like the naturalpath is correct but I am also a little nervous not to listen to the recommendation of my md..

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

thank you for your reply. I was tested for low stomach acid by a stool sample. I was very low. I feel better when taking the digestive enzymes. No burping what so ever. If I don't take the the burping returns no matter what I eat. So it makes me feel like the naturalpath is correct but I am also a little nervous not to listen to the recommendation of my md..

Your MD is completely wrong on this and you should not listen to such crazy advice. People who have compromised digestive abilities due to pancreatic insufficiency have to take digestive enzymes or they cannot completely digest their food. I am one of them. It replaces what your body does not make enough of. To say it can cause scarring or other such nonsense sounds like your doctor is either not educated enough on the matter or they are against taking any supplements that may help you feel better. Some doctors are like that...they want you to take RX meds and nothing else. To be honest, if I did everything doctors told me over the years, I would be dead or disabled by now. I take digestive enzymes myself because I have to. If they make your food digest better and get rid of symptoms you have, continue to take them, unless there is a genuine medical reason why you shouldn't.

burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

thank you for your reply. I was tested for low stomach acid by a stool sample. I was very low. I feel better when taking the digestive enzymes. No burping what so ever. If I don't take the the burping returns no matter what I eat. So it makes me feel like the naturalpath is correct but I am also a little nervous not to listen to the recommendation of my md..

I don't think you can diagnose hypochloridia from a stool sample, because the intestinal pH is alkaline. However you can diagnose malabsorption from stool samples (Enterolab includes those in their tests). So maybe your ND prescribed the enzymes after your stool sample indicated malabsorption.

domesticactivist Collaborator
domesticactivist
Posted

I noticed I am much more comfortable and have much more normal stool and less gas with digestive enzymes. But it says right on the bottle not to take them regularly. I hadn't heard about the scarring your MD talked about and would be interested in knowing why it's something the bottle would say to use sparingly.

imisskitkats Rookie
imisskitkats
Posted
  • Author

interesting. Neither of my enzymes say that. They say to use with each meal. What brand do you take and what type?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

I miss kitkats too...just saying.... :ph34r:

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,900
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

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



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.