What is Gluten?
Gluten is protein found in certain grains such as wheat, barley and rye.
It can be troublesome for some people due to its ability to irritate the gut lining, and trigger immune reactions and digestive issues. If you find yourself with bloating, wind, or constipation - it may be a gluten issue.
Is Gluten ‘bad’?
Gluten as a food additive in baked goods has little nutritional value. It is used mainly for it’s ability to make food soft and fluffy by trapping air bubbles into its gluey mesh like structure. In fact, it is this mesh like structure that makes gluten both fluffy and resistant to digestion.
Gluten itself contains several proteins, but the two main classes of proteins found in gluten are called glutenins and gliadins.
Historically, humans would live in small towns and villages, consuming only one type of locally produced wheat products – modern baked goods may be using a combination of 53 different wheat species for their gluten. That is a lot of different proteins entering the digestive system – all in one slice of bread!
Gluten and ‘Leaky Gut’
The gut wall is like a pipe made of rings that are held together by little doors called ‘junctions’. The purpose of these junctions is to open just a little bit to allow tiny molecules like vitamins and nutrients through the gut wall and into the blood stream to nourish the body. These junctions are heavily guarded by enzymes, gut bacteria and immune cells and a naturally occurring protein called Zonulin. Zonulin acts as a signal – triggering the opening and closing of the gut junctions to allow nutrients to flow through, and for waste product to remain enclosed for further processing.
In some individuals, gluten triggers the release of zonulin – even when the person is not allergic, coeliac or feel sensitive to gluten.
In some studies, gluten has been shown to trigger the release of zonulin – a naturally produced protein that controls the tight junctions of the gut wall. These junctions are like doors – they protect the rest of the body from the contents of the intestines, and only open to allow in beneficial molecules such as nutrients and minerals. When zonulin is triggered by gluten, these doors stay a little more open than they should, allowing the contents of the intestine to slip past and into the bloodstream. In the bloodstream, these foreign particles are regarded as pathogens (disease causing particles) and the body launches an immune response to fight the invaders. This immune response is what some people call ‘intolerance’ – as the symptoms are both gastrointestinal (wind, bloating, and gut troubles) and also systemic (migraines, eczema, mood swings and hormonal troubles).
Can Gluten be Avoided?
Gluten is notoriously difficult to avoid – with studies on coeliac sufferers confirming evidence of gluten exposure even when following a strict gluten free diet.
For those who are not allergic to gluten and want to offset the effects of the gluten they are eating, an enzyme called DPP-IV can support the breakdown of gluten in the digestive system.
Enzymes for Gluten Digestion
DPP-IV dipeptidyl peptidase IV is a form of protease that breaks down many of the common components found in a gluten protein. Proteases high in DPP-IV activity assist in digesting and utilizing gluten and casein containing foods.
It’s a great option for those who are sensitive to gluten, or simply wish to offset the negative consequences of gluten in the diet.
It is not meant to replace a gluten-free diet or to treat or prevent celiac disease. DPP-IV may not work well for people with NCGS or non-celiac wheat sensitivity, because they may be reacting to other parts of wheat, such as the fructans or amylase trypsin inhibitors, not the gluten. The enzyme is also not effective for a true wheat allergy.
GlutenEase
The enzymes in GlutenEase are specially designed to break down both gluten and casein, digesting them before they can cause issues like occasional gas and bloating. So whether you're caught eating out, enjoying food with friends or want to eat more freely, GlutenEase gives those with gluten intolerance greater freedom.
GlutenEase Extra Strength
The enzymes in GlutenEase Extra Strength are specially designed to break down both gluten and casein, digesting them before they can cause issues like occasional gas and bloating.* So whether you're caught eating out, enjoying food with friends or want to eat more freely, GlutenEase Extra Strength gives those with gluten intolerance greater freedom
