Questions Regarding Supplements

[basilicious]

Hi all,

I am waiting for my endo/biopsy results, and I have been researching ways to promote healing in my gut. (At a minimum, I have intestinal permeability and gluten sensitivity, so going gluten-free for six months is a definite.)

Dr. Weil recommends the following as a natural treatment for those with celiac (link is: Open Original Shared Link):

"In addition to avoiding gluten, Dr. Weil recommends treating the leaky gut symptoms often associated with the body's response to these proteins. Moderate use, if not avoidance, of alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen and Naproxen) is important. Also, make sure you're eating plenty of fiber. Take a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus GG or Bacillus coagulens. And follow an anti-inflammatory diet, including essential fatty acids like fish oil and GLA, and minus any gluten-containing foods, of course.

In addition, you might try supplementing with glutamine, an amino acid that helps maintain intestinal metabolism and function and seems to benefit patients who have had intestinal injury from serious insults such as chemotherapy and radiation."

My question is this: has anyone taken glutamine? If so, have you noticed any benefits? I'm a little nervous about taking it, because I'm afraid that I may have celiac-related liver damage, and the packaging says that those with cirrhosis of the liver should not take it. Now, there's no way I have cirrhosis of the liver, but since I'm concerned that intestinal permeability leads to liver damage, I'm curious about anyone's take on this or their experience.

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on taking gluten enzymes? While I realize they are in no way a substitute for a gluten-free diet, since I'm coming off the gluten challenge, I'm curious if they might assist with digestion of the lingering gluten in my system. Also, it seems like those with celiac use enzymes to assist when they eat out and fear they may have been glutened. Any thoughts on that?

Thank you so much for any insight you may be able to offer!

[Marilyn R]

Hi all,

I am waiting for my endo/biopsy results, and I have been researching ways to promote healing in my gut. (At a minimum, I have intestinal permeability and gluten sensitivity, so going gluten-free for six months is a definite.)

Dr. Weil recommends the following as a natural treatment for those with celiac (link is: Open Original Shared Link):

"In addition to avoiding gluten, Dr. Weil recommends treating the leaky gut symptoms often associated with the body's response to these proteins. Moderate use, if not avoidance, of alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen and Naproxen) is important. Also, make sure you're eating plenty of fiber. Take a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus GG or Bacillus coagulens. And follow an anti-inflammatory diet, including essential fatty acids like fish oil and GLA, and minus any gluten-containing foods, of course.

In addition, you might try supplementing with glutamine, an amino acid that helps maintain intestinal metabolism and function and seems to benefit patients who have had intestinal injury from serious insults such as chemotherapy and radiation."

My question is this: has anyone taken glutamine? If so, have you noticed any benefits? I'm a little nervous about taking it, because I'm afraid that I may have celiac-related liver damage, and the packaging says that those with cirrhosis of the liver should not take it. Now, there's no way I have cirrhosis of the liver, but since I'm concerned that intestinal permeability leads to liver damage, I'm curious about anyone's take on this or their experience.

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on taking gluten enzymes? While I realize they are in no way a substitute for a gluten-free diet, since I'm coming off the gluten challenge, I'm curious if they might assist with digestion of the lingering gluten in my system. Also, it seems like those with celiac use enzymes to assist when they eat out and fear they may have been glutened. Any thoughts on that?

Thank you so much for any insight you may be able to offer!

I don't know if this will add insight or not, but this is my experience. I bought Solgar brand L-Glutamine 500 mg tabs shortly after I went gluten-free. I've used them sporadically, even though I'm diligent about taking my calcium and Multi-V. I started taking them more regularly in the past few months.

I've had a ton of blood work done in the past two years. Some of the results were pretty whacky when I first went gluten-free. Everything seemeed to simmer down with time with the diet. (For awhile there, I got used to doctors referring me to more and more specialists based on my blood work.

I just picked up results from a routine blood draw ordered by my PCP (CBC with Dif and Basic Metabolic Panel) and my AST was off the chart along with another result. I googled a question about the results and it came up with liver disease! The only other possible explanation, apparently, is being allergic to the medications you're on. (I'm not on any.) I didn't get hyper about the results because nobody called me from the doctor's office telling me I had to go to a nephrologist, and I'm SO used to having weird blood test results.

For me, I'm axing the L-Glutamine. My experience could be totally different than your experience though.

The bottle says "Natural Muscle Food, Promotes GI Health". Argg.

Thanks for your post, I'll take the L-Glutamine 500 mg tabs with me to my next visit with the Dr. She'll notice the elevated levels and be surprised nobody called me. (That's health care where I live.)

Thank you for your post. I think I learned more from you than you did from me. In the event you want to try some, P.M. me, I'll send them on, but I think your initial qualms were well justified.

[basilicious]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Marilyn. I previously tried asking my gastro about glutamine, and she said I was on my own since it's not FDA regulated. Not terribly surprising but still disappointing.

[sa1937]

I did take one bottle of Bluebonnet L-Glutamine (500 mg) and frankly couldn't tell if it made a difference or not.

One thing that did help a lot was a probiotic, specifically Culturelle Digestive Health, which contains 10 billion Lactobacillus GG, which I can buy at my local Wal-Mart. I started taking it last fall when I was 18 months gluten-free as I was still having issues at that time. The difference it made was significant.

[basilicious]

Thanks a lot, Sylvia. I am on liquid acidophilus right now but need to explore other probiotic options. I will definitely check out Culturelle!