Digestive Enzymes to Help Protect Against Gluten

Many people with autoimmune are sensitive to gluten and casein.  While we try to avoid gluten and casein whenever possible, we often end up getting trace amounts when eating out.  To help protect against this, there are digestive enzymes that one can take just before a meal that might contain gluten.  While these enzymes are not an excuse to consume gluten, they may help break down gluten better so that you don’t as big of a gluten hit without them.

They are very safe because they are essentially a combination of protease, amylase, and lipase which your pancreas makes for breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.  But as we age where are pancreas is not producing optimal enzymes, or have food sensitivities, we need extra help with digestive enzymes.

The most important ingredient to look for in these enzymes is the protease strength as measured in HUT (the higher the number, the more protein it can break down within a given amount of time.   Because it is the gluten protein and the casein protein that is what people are sensitive to, it is the protease strength that would be most helpful.

Some enzymes may or may not contain lipase, but is good to have is you need extra help with fat digestion.

It’s also important that the capsule do not contain filler contain gluten or dairy.

Some products to consider are …

Enzymedica GlutenEase, which contains DDP IV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV).

Glutenza, which contains probiotics and prebiotics for gut health as well.

E3 Advanced Plus deals with eight major allergens (wheat, dairy, soy, egg, nuts, fish, hemp, pea) within 90 minutes.  It is the same formula as GI Shield as recommended by Dr. Dr. Tom O’Bryan.

Glyphosate plays role in Gluten Sensitivity

Many people with autoimmune conditions also have gluten sensitivity.  But what is less well known is how glyphosate (in many non-organic vegetables) may play a role in this gluten sensitivity.  Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the Roundup herbicide.

Paper by Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff  suggests that glyphosate plays a role in the development of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease citing that …

“Fish exposed to glyphosate develop digestive problems that are reminiscent of celiac disease … Glyphosate …   has been shown to disrupt gut bacteria in animals, preferentially killing beneficial forms and causing an overgrowth of pathogens. “

Pigs fed GMO corn and soy developed intestinal inflammation due to glyphosate in the GMO feed.

Celiacs and non-celiac gluten sensitivity is associated with imbalance gut flora.  Glyphosate inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes which helps in detoxifying environmental toxins, activating vitamin D3, etc.  It also chelates iron, cobalt, molybdenum, and copper, causing deficiencies of tryptophan, tyrosine, methionine and selenomethionine.

Glyphosate suppresses a certain step in the synthesis of these amino acids in the shikimate pathway.  While humans do not have this pathway, our gut bacteria do.  Worst is that glyphostate negatively harms our good bacteria such as Enterococcus, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus more than they hurt the bad pathogens like Salmonella and Clostridium.  Hence probiotic treatment with Bifidobacteria may help celiacs.  Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli have the ability to make gluten less allergenic as well as the ability to biosynthesize folate.

Interesting article about glyphosate show that GMO crops, animal foods, cereal grains, oil seeds and dried pulses contain the highest levels of glyphosate.  If you don’t want glyphosate on your food, buy organic and avoid GMO.

The bad thing about GMO crops is that they are genetically modified to withstand Roundup and hence more glyphosate can be sprayed on them.

Here is one of the authors, Stephanie Seneff , speaking on the dangers of glyphosate and how it affects the rise in autism…

What Are Some Good Gluten-Free Bread?

Here are some various gluten-free bread that is recommended by the Internet…

According to David GetOff in the Ask the Low Carb Experts podcast episode 18 (at 1 hr : 06 min), he likes the bread “Purity Bread”, “Bean Bread”, “Smart-Carb #3” by JulianBakery.com.  This is based on them being gluten-free and low net carbs and the type of ingredients used.

HufffingtonPost has a slideshow of 10 best gluten-free breads based on taste test judging on taste and texture and mouth feel.  Udi’s came in number one.  And Kinnikinnik Foods came in number two.  Article dated year 2012.

Best Of Gluten Free Awards lists the “Bread & Pasta” winner of 2012.   Udi’s Gluten Free won best gluten-free sandwich bread, best gluten-free multigrain bread, and best gluten-free specialty Bread.