Mercola Gluten Enzymes is a supplement that lessens the negative effects of gluten. The enzymes are useful for gluten sensitive ones who are not sure if the food they eat contains gluten or not.
There are also some gluten sensitive people who regularly crave foods containing gluten like bread, pizza or hamburgers. In such cases, adding gluten enzymes can be lifesaver. The concept is that you can satisfy your cravings (once in a while!) but at the same time avoid many unpleasant side effects of gluten.
How well does gluten enzymes work?
Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten is a combination of different proteins that are very hard to digest. Many people develop sensitivity to gluten, but the precise mechanism behind gluten sensitivity is not entirely clear. For sensitive ones, consuming gluten can cause bloating, gas, headache, skin irritation, brain fog, gut pain, sneezing, coughing, and diarrhoea.
Note: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is not the same as gluten allergy (similar to food allergies), or celiac disease (a genetic, autoimmune disorder). There is also wheat allergy that is sometimes confused with gluten sensitivity.
Many people are gluten sensitive without even knowing about it. Therefore, when they consume gluten they might get a mild reaction but fail to see the connection to gluten. Some gluten sources are obvious, like wheat, barley, and rye. But if someone does not know that food they consume contains gluten, they might not make the connection.
Mercola Gluten Enzymes
Mercola Gluten Enzymes break down gluten in the gut which lessens the symptoms of gluten sensitivity. It also seems that taking gluten enzymes can help prevent further damage to the intestine, which often plays a main role for developing gluten sensitivity.
Compared to other gluten enzyme supplements, a few features stand out with Mercola Gluten Enzymes.
Gluten must be cut in smaller parts
Some gluten enzymes only separate the gluten protein somewhere in the middle of the long protein chain. But this does not completely solve the problem for most gluten sensitive people. The gluten protein must be divided in smaller parts for the body to be able to handle it. The enzyme pepdidase included in Mercola Gluten Enzymes splits the gluten protein both in the middle and at its ends. This means that gluten can be broken down faster and more completely by the body.
Problems with carbs
In addition, foods with gluten are often high in carbohydrates. The carbs tend to protect gluten from being broken down by the body and it therefore causes the same side effects. Mercola Gluten Enzymes also includes amylase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates. Because of this, the gluten can be broken down more completely.
Mercola Gluten Enzymes contains the following
- Amylase: one of the most important enzymes in the body. It breaks down carbohydrates, supports energy production, prevents diabetes, lowers stress markers and much more. Amylase does much of the groundwork so that other enzymes can more easily access and break down gluten.
- Proteases: support a speedy breakdown of gluten proteins into smaller fragments and amino acids. They are also involved in controlling inflammatory conditions and immune regulation.
- Peptidase: releases amino acids from gluten proteins. But it also controls inflammation, prevents anxiety, insomnia, and supports the immune system.
- ATP: ah, the almighty ATP! A powerful molecule that signals the body to start the digestion machinery. ATP also creates energy for all living cells in the body.
Cost
One bottle of Mercola Gluten Enzymes costs $17. The bottle contains 90 capsules. If you are gluten sensitive and take a capsule only on the rare occasion when you want to consume gluten, then a bottle will last for a long time.
In any case, the price is low for a supplement that can help avoid the very unpleasant symptoms that can last for hours or more.
Verdict
Mercola Gluten Enzymes is a well-composed, high quality supplement. It can help gluten sensitive ones to enjoy a meal without being too worried about unpleasant side effects of gluten.
How to take Mercola Gluten Enzymes
One capsule just before a meal seems to work well for most people. However, in some cases it might be best to combine Gluten Enzymes with a full spectrum enzyme supplement.
For example, this combination would work well if you’re having a heavy meal containing gluten and you want a faster and more complete digestion. Taking Gluten Enzymes and a full spectrum enzyme together also works well when you’re having a meal late at night.
If you are gluten sensitive but sometimes want to enjoy food you know contains gluten, then choose organic ingredients. One reason is that non-organic crops are often sprayed with chemicals (as glyphosate) that cannot be broken down by enzymes.
Mercola Gluten Enzymes is an excellent supplement, but it also has limitations. You still need to make wise food choices to promote a good digestion.