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Since going Paleo I find myself becoming even more sensitive to the slightest dose of gluten. Eating out is fairly worrisome.

I found a bottle of Country Life Gluten-zyme digestive enzyme tablets at the local health food store. I'm wondering if these could lessen the negative effects I feel from mild gluten cross-contamination? Has anyone tried these out?

What about the Lactose-zymes?

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Do you mean Lactaid like pills when you say "lactose-zymes"? If so, Lactaid is very useful and does help a lot. It's not infallible, but I do keep it on hand (two tabs in my wallet) for times where I don't want to battle temptation. Just, whatever you do, avoid the chewables! That so-called-vanilla flavor is so bad that I simply refuse the treat rather than subject myself to its horridness. – WordVixen Feb 21 2011 at 22:37

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I did a little googling. It is a probiotic supplement that is supposed to help digest gluten. I read some of the reviews and they seem to help. If gluten bothers you your best bet is to avoid it. When eating out ask a lot of questions and make yourself high maintenance. For example if you are at iHop and order an omelet let them know that you are allergic and ask them to make sure there is no wheat in or near your eggs on the grill, my parents do this with shellfish. Also, eat at locally owned and operated places as they tend to be more apt to accommodate. That being said, I did read one comment that she keeps them on hand just in case there is some cross contamination.

As for lactose problems, My wife is severely lactose intolerant. She uses the Lactaid Instant pills when eating dairy and buys the Lactaid milk. It keeps her from getting nauseous and puking, though if she eats too much dairy she still has some discomfort. I have also heard that acidophilus can help for mild lactose intolerance.

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Gluten-zyme is an enzyme that is supposed to break down gluten but the breakdown is not complete. I know some people who say it helps with small amounts of cross contamination and I know other who say it does nothing. It cannot take the place of a gluten free diet.

Interesting that in this clinical trial with enzymes, the symptoms of eating gluten were not reduced. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=19942485

Yeah, eating out is worrisome.

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I used the Glutenease formulation when i was in Italy and definitely, purposefully eating gluten. It was incredibly helpful from a gut-health persepctive.

However, after about 2 weeks of eating a lot of gluten, I did develop the tell-tale achey joints. Had I not been taking the enzymes, it would only take a day or two.

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There's the crux of the issue. Even if you can break down gluten efficiently, it is still unhealthy due to other things. – Stabby Mar 24 2011 at 18:41
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If it's a carb digesting enzyme it contains amylase. The proper enzyme needed to break down carbs, and seeing as your paleo... (i'm assuming strict) and you're probably lacking the enzyme now due to not eating so many carbs as a typical westerner, I believe it could help. It definitely is not a cure all but it will help aid in minor digestive issues. honestly your best best would have been to purchase a "multi-zyme" product. Vitamin Shoppe makes a really good one thats super inexpensive. it has every panceatic enzyme needed for digestion, plus bile, papaya, and bromelain. Look into it if you'd like. GOOD LUCK!

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I haven't tried that particular product, but I get Bioalign digestive enzymes from amazon.com; they're pretty inexpensive, and I'm very pleased with them. I take them when I have my occasional gluten cheats, and they have saved me from many an upset stomach.

Edit- Oops- mine are actually Source Naturals Essential Enzymes- when I originally posted, I just remembered they said "Bio Align" somewhere on the bottle.

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