It seems like gluten free products are everywhere these days. Gluten free pizza, gluten free bread, gluten free soy sauce, gluten free makeup. But what about gluten free probiotics? And if you’re going to try to find gluten free probiotics, let’s add in the requirement that they are of top quality. If you are someone who needs to be gluten free, you know how important it is to only choose products that you can truly trust. If you’re looking for the best gluten free probiotics but are not sure where to start, we’re here to serve as a resource.
First, let’s think about why a probiotic would have gluten in the first place. After all, the healthy bacteria that make up the importance of probiotics, do not have gluten in them. Instead, other probiotic companies use fillers in their probiotics. These can be soy, gluten, or any number of other substances you do not want. Even if you don’t eat gluten free, why would you want unnecessary fillers in your probiotics?
We have many customers that appreciate our gluten free probiotics because they have very uncomfortable side effects after consuming wheat. These include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and a feeling of sluggishness. Although the reasons for gluten sensitivity are not fully understood, and definitive treatments have not been found, avoiding gluten is generally a good way for these people to stay symptom free. Of course, for anyone who needs to avoid gluten, they know that this can be incredibly burdensome. Although gluten-free products have become more popular recently, even having a bite of a friend’s meal, or picking up a quick snack can lead to substantial symptoms. Gluten can also hide in locations most people wouldn’t suspect, like in makeup and supplements.
When we look at the normal digestive process, we know that the mouth chews food to first break it down into small pieces. Then the gastrointestinal tract breaks food down into even smaller components that the body can absorb and use. Normally, the digestive system breaks gluten down into proteins that are small enough for their bodies to digest. If you have a gluten sensitivity, it means for some reason your body cannot break down gluten.
Did you know that a lack of healthy bacteria may be linked to gluten sensitivity in several ways? Probiotics can up the number and quality of the good bacteria in your digestive system. These bacteria can actually participate in the digestion of gluten. Research has shown that people with gluten sensitivity have different types of bacteria in their guts, compared to people who do not have trouble digesting gluten. Since there is no cure for gluten insensitivity, the best people can do is avoid gluten and optimize their digestive systems as much as possible.
If some of the bacteria we see in people with gluten sensitivity vs those without is different, then can taking probiotics help someone digest gluten? There is ongoing research with some positive results being found. For instance, one study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, showed that people who took supplements with Bifidobacterium infantis NLS super strain had some relief from the GI symptoms that are typically associated with gluten sensitivity. While there is much research yet to be done, there appear to be interesting connections between the effective digestion of gluten and certain bacteria.
When it comes down to making a decision about the best gluten free probiotics, you first want to ensure you’re choosing a probiotic company that truly understands celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and gluten digestion. Natren is a company you can trust with your health and the health of your family. Our founder, Natasha Trenev, has done substantial research into the digestive process and ensures that every product Natren makes is of the highest quality. When you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, you cannot afford to get probiotics from a company you can’t trust. You may not know what fillers they’re using, and could end up causing yourself more pain than benefit… not to mention wasting money.
The good news is that every single probiotic Natren sells is gluten free. So you do not need to worry about choosing from a small subset of options. The ‘bad news’ (if you can call it that) is that the number of options may feel overwhelming. At Natren, we believe that you know your body better than anyone, and will be able to customize a probiotic regimen that works best for you. But to get started, we’ll give you a few of our top choices for the best gluten free probiotic:
When you need to know that your probiotics are gluten free, safe, and effective, Natren is the place to turn. We guarantee the potency of every strain of healthy bacteria in every bottle we sell, through the expiration date. We go above and beyond the safety standards of our industry, and are thought-leaders and innovators in the world of probiotics. You can learn more about Natren’s gluten free probiotics by visiting our website at natren.com.