Eating out with gluten intolerance has challenges in itself. From the continual manhunt for restaurants that either have a gluten-free menu or that can accommodate gluten-free requests, eating out can be downright discouraging. What’s even more discouraging is that most restaurants cannot fully prevent the cross-contamination of gluten in your food. But let me tell you that I’ve found the solution to ease my troubles – digestive enzymes!
I’m sure you’ve seen it. That little disclaimer at restaurants and on food packages that states “made on shared equipment that processes wheat products”. The one that makes a gluten intolerant person cringe because they are running the risk of a not-so-happy tummy after consuming the food.
What does that mean? It basically means that you are about to consume some food that MAY or MAY NOT have traces of gluten in it. Restaurants and packaged food companies that share product lines do their best to clean the equipment before preparing your gluten-free item. But, it’s not always a guarantee to prevent those tiny, naked to the human-eye bits of gluten “dust” that may just grab onto a piece of your food, hang on for dear life, and make it’s way into that sensitive digestive tract of yours. There IS hope and protection with the help of digestive enzymes!
But first, let me first get into the three variations of gluten intolerance.
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder such that the consumption of gluten will literally damage the small intestine. This type of reaction creates autoimmune responses, malabsorption of nutrients, IBS symptoms, and much more. Ingesting gluten with this disease can lead to some pretty serious reactions. This disease can simply be confirmed by a blood test looking for a positive marker for what’s called the HLA gene. I personally had this done and tested negative for Celiac.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten Intolerance can be difficult to diagnose, however someone that has it can experience similar symptoms to those that have Celiac Disease. This is also referred to as non-celiac wheat sensitivity. These symptoms can include foggy-mind, abdominal pain, bloating, and much more. Figuring out if you have a gluten intolerance can be done through an elimination diet, or blood work. The blood work looks for particular antibodies that indicate how active (or reactive) your immune system is. This is something I also tested for when I was testing for Celiac (they can be done together), and this came out positive.
Minor Bloating and Gas Caused by Gluten
You know that feeling, when you’ve consumed a few slices of your favorite pizza or indulged in some chicken alfredo. On comes the bloated belly, indigestion, and perhaps even some minor (or major!) gas. Instead of reaching for an antacid, how about taking a digestive enzyme beforehand that can help to digest gluten. This will help to reduce digestive distress that may be caused by foods containing gluten.
For some people, the gluten intolerance isn’t severe enough for a little cross-contamination to affect them. While for others, it could be a long night of butt numbing “adventures”, or even a visit to the hospital.
So what’s a gluten intolerant person to do? Protection is key in these situations and can be supplemented by digestive enzymes that aid in the digestion of gluten.
One of my favorites is GlutenEase by Enzymedica. This enzyme can help to provide some extra enzymes for that gut of yours regardless of how gluten intolerant you may be. What I love about this particular one is that it has what’s called a “Thera-blend” in the enzymes. Thera-blend is my best friend in enzymes as it is an exclusive process by Enzymedica that blends multiple strains of the enzyme to withstand different PH environments that run along the intestine tract. This is good for someone with a gluten intolerance because it can be more effective at ensuring your gut is being given supplemental gluten enzymes in the event of cross contamination in your food. Simply take it at least 20 minutes before a meal, and you’re good to go. Simple enough, right?
This video can explain more about GlutenEase and how it can offer a little more protection in your gut.
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*Please note that this formula is not meant to treat celiac or gluten intolerant people. It is also not meant to replace a gluten-free diet. Please consult with a healthcare professional should you choose to incorporate gluten in your diet.
