Are you gluten-free? So many people choose to be gluten-free even when they don’t have celiac disease (CD) or a wheat allergy. Some think it’s healthier while others have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Non-celiac gluten sensitivity ins’t well-defined and there are no tests to check for it. It’s essentially determined if a person feels better when they avoid gluten. This article contains some good news for those considered to have NCGS.
Being gluten-free is a hot topic these days. Some (extremely competent and intelligent) doctors believe that everyone should be gluten-free and some feel that it’s a total hoax. I’ll avoid talking about the reasons behind those extreme viewpoints and quickly discuss the three main conditions when it comes to gluten.
First, there’s celiac disease. People with CD have an autoimmune reaction to gluten and must avoid consuming it. If they don’t, they’ll get damage to their intestinal tract along with some debilitating symptoms.
Second, there’s wheat allergy. This is an allergic response (sometimes, though rarely anaphylactic – like from shellfish or a bee sting) to eating gluten, but it’s not an autoimmune reaction like CD. This can include a variety of unpleasant symptoms.
Lastly, there’s non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). These individuals can experience adverse symptoms like gastrointestinal pain and disturbances, headaches, joint pain, brain fog, fatigue and more when they consume gluten. Those with NCGS may suffer the least among the three, however their symptoms shouldn’t be diminished.
Now to the good news! A new study found there’s an enzyme that’s available over-the-counter which can actually break down gluten and possibly prevent it from causing symptoms. The enzyme is called aspergillus niger-derived prolyl endoprotease (AN-PEP). I haven’t had personal experience with it, nor have I tried it with patients yet. But, I’d say it’s worth a go when eating out and one can’t be sure the food is 100% gluten-free; or when those with NCGS choose to “cheat” on certain occasions. Additionally, there’s another enzyme known as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DDP-IV) which purports to have similar benefits as well. If it were me, I’d take them together for extra support.
Here’s link to the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29026170
Good luck – I hope this helps!
Dr. Rob D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Diplomate and board-certified teacher of the International College of Applied Kinesiology – Member of the International Association of Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation – Associates Degree in Homeopathy