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.