Probiotics an answer?

It has been pointed out to me that I am focused VERY much on the NOW of eating Gluten Free, on the short term solution of ” just getting by”.    Some days, that is about all I can do.   However, there are others out there pioneering and sharing information on the medical side of Celiac and many other related digestive issues.   One of our Subscribers is one of them.

Jeremy sent me the following email to share.

Hey Diane,

I have a couple of things that you may find of interest for your website.

I took a browse through your website and I think it is a great topic that you are tackling, gluten sensitivity is becoming such an epidemic.

Here’s my list of items that might be worth mention on your website.

Probiotics or beneficial bacteria would definitely be worth mention to individuals suffering from this sensitivity.  The bacteria in our gut are responsible for the final digestion process breaking our food into the smallest particles. Supplementing with Probiotics or taking a water based kefir would help to improve this benefical microflora and aid in the digestion of gluten.

Many people with gluten are thought to suffer from leaky gut syndrome which is a condition resulting from the overgrowth of bad bacteria. Look up candida. This is actually a yeast or fungus that gets out of control in and can perforate the intestinal tract allowing undigested particles like gluten or gliadin (another one worth looking up) to get into the blood stream.  When these proteins get into the blood our bodies mount an immune response to them and we feel tired, irritable and lethargic because our bodies need to focus so much energy on the immune response.

Probiotics are a dormant form of bacteria which when taken become active in the gut helping to out populate the bad bacteria.

Kefir, is what many probiotics are made from, they are really just a freeze dried form of kefir, so if you can handle the taste and the up keep or growing kefir this is an even better alternative.  By taking some kefir before a meal you can help predigest some of these foods before they reach the intestinal tract where the real issue is.

I recommended a water based or coconut water based kefir because a lot of people with gluten sensitivities also have casein sensitivities (a milk protein).  As individuals start using kefir they may find that they can transition into milk kefir later.

As people start to improve their microflora (bacterial population) it is also a good idea to supplement with L-glutamine. This is a protein supplement which is naturally occurring in the body and helps with tissue repair.  It has no loading phase so it is something you can take as needed.

Enzymes are another huge thing that my be of benefit. There are actually enzymes out there now that celiacs are seeing great success from.  Taken just before a meal these enzymes can help individuals to digest gluten and caesin.

You will find if you follow autism you will come across a lot of information on gluten and caesin free diets.

www.bodyecology.com would be a great site to check out for information on using probiotics, dealing with candida and making fermented foods containing benficial bacteria.

The best probitoics I have found are customprobiotics.

Anyway, that’s enough blabbing for me.  I just thought this would be a good avenue for you to tackle next as your site seems to focus only on living with the condition when there is also a lot of info out there on how to start improving these conditions and getting to the root cause of them.

It is possible for many to get back to a state where they can handle gluten again.

Take care,

Jeremy

For further information below are some links I found to add to the one mentioned above;

• Probiotics can help chronic inflammation from Celiac Disease -Kelowna Chapter – Canadian Celiac Association
• Major Breakthrough: Prebiotics and Probiotics Can Reduce Inflammation and Reduce Symptoms of Celiac Disease – Celiac.com
• Probiotics: A Future Answer to Celiac Disease? – Celiac.com
• Prebiotics, Probiotics Ease Celiac Disease – Food Product Design

I have to agree with  Gluten Free Chops one point  “Probiotics are not a cure for Celiac Disease, dairy allergies or the like. They simply make your gut a more hospitable place for natural digestion and bodily function.” Ultimately that is our goal.  To eat better…  digest better …  To live better!  Is it worth a shot?   Hell ya!