For those living with gluten intolerance, or Celiac disease, daily life can be a challenging and often uncomfortable experience. The simplest meals can become a source of distress, causing digestive symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
While the primary treatment for these conditions is a strict gluten-free diet, there's growing interest in how probiotics and gut health supplements may provide natural relief.
Let’s explore the potential benefits of probiotics for gluten intolerance and Celiac disease and how Somaya Life can help.
Understanding Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease
Before delving into how probiotics can assist in managing these conditions, let’s get on the same page about the differences between gluten intolerance and Celiac disease.
Gluten Intolerance (Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity)
A gluten intolerance, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), is when you experience digestive discomfort and other symptoms after consuming gluten, even though you do not have celiac disease.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, and diarrhea
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response and causes damage to the lining of the small intestine. This can lead to severe digestive problems, similar to NCGS, and a range of other serious health issues and symptoms.
How Can Probiotics Help with Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease
Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as "good bacteria," that provide numerous health benefits when consumed in adequate quantities.
While probiotics can't cure gluten intolerance or celiac disease, they may offer relief from symptoms and contribute to overall digestive health.
Here's how they may help:
- Symptom relief: Probiotics can help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, promoting a healthier digestive system. Imbalances in gut bacteria have been associated with the development and exacerbation of digestive conditions and symptoms. For those with gluten intolerance, a more balanced gut may help reduce headaches, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and other digestive discomfort associated with gluten consumption.
- Enhanced digestive function: Studies demonstrated that probiotics have gluten hydrolysis enzymes, which “can be used to digest and destroy gluten in patients with gluten sensitivity.”
- Nutrient absorption: Probiotics can also support the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the gut, potentially aiding individuals with celiac disease in improving their nutrient absorption. A study in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences showed that probiotic supplementation helped increase “blood biomarker levels of vitamins, calcium, and mineral absorption.”
What to Consider When Choosing Probiotics for Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease
When choosing a probiotic to assist with gluten intolerance and celiac disease, here are a few important things to keep in mind.
Fermented Foods are a Good Starting Point
According to the National Celiac Association, cultured and fermented foods are a good place to start if you want to naturally boost your gut microbiome. They recommend kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, and yogurt.
Read Labels Carefully
Many probiotic supplements and foods contain additives for flavor, color, and texture that may not be acceptable on a gluten-free diet. Double-check labels and ingredient lists and talk to your healthcare provider for clarification.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Many probiotics may not contain gluten but still may have come in contact with gluten during the manufacturing and packaging process. Depending on how serious your gluten intolerance is, this could impact whether or not you should take the probiotics.
A 2015 study from the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University noted that many probiotic supplements aren’t actually gluten-free. The study looked at 22 popular probiotics and found 55% contained gluten, including some noted to be gluten-free.
Somaya Life & Gluten Intolerance
Somaya Life is different than typical probiotics on the market, which is why we call it an anthrobiotic. Most probiotics only contain a few different strains, but Somaya Life contains 10 Smart StrainsTM of beneficial bacteria that are specifically chosen to help regulate the body. We call them enhancers, managers, inhibitors, and communicators — all with specific jobs to improve overall wellness.
Here’s the full ingredient list:
- A2020™ - Lactococcus lactis
- A4000h™ - Pediococcus pentosaceus
- LP100™ - Lactobacillus plantarum
- LC222™ - Lactobacillus casei
- Prop1-IAC™ - Propionibacterium freudenreichii
- 8G-134™ - Bacillus pumilus
- B5000h™ - Bacillus subtilis
- B5005h™ - Bacillus subtilis
- B5150h™ - Bacillus subtilis
- 1E-1™ - Lactobacillus reuteri
- Priority Prebiotic (50mg)
- Vegetable capsule (cellulose and water)
While our gut health supplement is gluten-free and allergy-friendly, we can’t guarantee there isn’t any contact with other ingredients in our facility.
Sources:
- “Feeling Unwell after Eating Gluten?” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 27 Apr. 2023, health.clevelandclinic.org/gluten-sensitivity-celiac-disease-wheat-allergy-differences/.
- Hemarajata P, Versalovic J. Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013 Jan;6(1):39-51. doi: 10.1177/1756283X12459294. PMID: 23320049; PMCID: PMC3539293.
- Ramedani N, Sharifan A, Gholam-Mostafaei FS, Rostami-Nejad M, Yadegar A, Ehsani-Ardakani MJ. The potentials of probiotics on gluten hydrolysis; a review study. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2020 Winter;13(Suppl1):S1-S7. PMID: 33584998; PMCID: PMC7881392.
- “Finding a Gluten-Free Probiotic.” National Celiac Association, nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/finding-a-gf-probiotic/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
