Frequently Asked Questions about Celiac Disease & Gluten

  1. Are Prebiotin and Prebiotin-Bone Health gluten free?
  2. Why do some celiac patients still have symptoms even after they are on a gluten-free diet (GFD)?
  3. Why do some celiacs have constipation while on a gluten-free diet?
  4. Where can I get the best information on celiac disease and gluten intolerance?
  5. Do enzymes help celiac disease?
  6. What about autism and gluten or celiac disease?
  7. What is the gut microbiota?
  8. Why is the bacterial mix or microbiota important to the celiac or anyone on a gluten free diet?

1. Are Prebiotin and Prebiotin-Bone Health gluten free?

Yes. Both of the above products have been independently tested and are gluten free.

2. Why do some celiac patients still have symptoms even after they are on a gluten-free diet (GFD)?

There may be another GI problem present such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease or some other disorder. Another possibility is the fact that when a GFD is followed and wheat is withdrawn from the diet, that there is a precipitous reduction in food prebiotics. This, in turn, can result in a significant deterioration in the bacteria makeup of the gut. Symptoms may result. Adding prebiotic-rich foods and/or a supplement such as gluten-free Prebiotin may be helpful.

3. Why do some celiacs have constipation while on a gluten-free diet?

Of course, there may be another cause for constipation such as an underactive thyroid gland. In addition, a GFD removes wheat from the diet and wheat is a rich source of prebiotics. Prebiotics indirectly stimulate the wall of the colon to make more nerve cells, which in turn can make the colon more active. This research has been found in animals. It may be that a similar result can occur in humans. The easy way to test this is to use a prebiotic such as Prebiotin for at least several months and see if constipation improves.

4. Where can I get the best information on celiac disease and gluten intolerance?

An experienced dietitian should be seen first so that the basics of a gluten-free diet are well-understood. In addition, there are excellent non-profit support groups online at:

  • Gluten Intolerance Group (gluten.net)
  • National Foundation for Gluten Awareness (celiaccentral.org)
  • National Institutes of Health (nih.gov.org-search for celiac disease)

In many parts of the country, there are local celiac and gluten support groups.

5. Do enzymes help celiac disease?

No, they do not. An enzyme is simply a protein like any other protein in the body or in the food we eat. Within the body an enzyme’s special role is to dramatically speed up a metabolic process. The pancreas juice is loaded with different digestive enzymes to break down protein, fat and carbohydrates in our food. The small bowel also makes some enzymes such as sucrase and lactase which, in the untreated celiac, may be lacking. Additionally, there are many, many enzymes throughout the body that are made for us. It is not possible nor needed to give these by mouth. More importantly, most enzymes that are taken by mouth are quickly rendered ineffective by the strong acid in the stomach. They then are simply broken down by the pancreatic juices into amino acids and absorbed like any other protein that is eaten. Some enzymes may be needed when there is pancreatic disease and the pancreas does not make enough of these naturally occurring enzymes, but in the absence of pancreas problems, enzymes generally are not needed and are not known to help any other condition.

6. What about autism and gluten or celiac disease?

It is very unlikely that gluten is related to autism. Over many thousands of years, wheat has been a major part of the human diet. It is only in the last 30-40 years that the incidence of autism has been seen to markedly increase. What has also increased during this time are the marked number of chemicals and additives in the foods we eat. Prepared foods in boxes and packages are the suspected ones. Fresh foods have none of these additives. Prebiotics come from vegetable fibers and have no additives. If a person is placed on a gluten free diet, then prebiotic- rich foods and/or a supplement such as Prebiotin are advised.

7. What is the gut microbiota?

The microbiota is a fancy medical term for the incredible mix of bacteria within the colon. This may be a good or bad mix depending on the diet eaten and whether there are enough prebiotics in it to stimulate the good bacteria to grow. Prebiotin is pure prebiotic and it stimulates the growth of a good microbiota.

8. Why is the bacterial mix or microbiota important to the celiac or anyone on a gluten free diet?

The answer to this question is now clear. Wheat has been and is the major source of prebiotics in the diet. This prebiotic is what has kept the microbiota or the bacterial mix in the gut healthy. When wheat is withdrawn, so are the valuable prebiotics. The colon bacterial mix deteriorates. Other prebiotic-rich and gluten- free foods should replace that which is lost when wheat is no longer eaten. A prebiotic supplement such as Prebiotin is appropriate to assure you that adequate prebiotics are in the diet.