So Americans don’t always get what they pay for. We expect to, but the truth is, the times they are a changing, as Dylan would say. But when it comes to products like vitamins or supplements — products we purchase for our health — shouldn’t we be assured, at the very least, that we won’t be harmed and that we’re getting a safe product? I hate to break it to you, but if you’re like me and have a food-related health problem — no one is watching out for you.
If you suffer any kind of digestive problem with gluten, you probably take a probiotic supplement — friendly bacteria that are supposed to improve the health of your intestines. But researchers warn that these supplements may not be what they’re cracked up to be.
The problem, say researchers at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center is that when they tested the 22 top-selling probiotic supplements, they found that 12 of them, even though they are all supposed to be gluten-free, were contaminated with gluten.
And that’s frightening news for people like me, who can’t tolerate gluten. But beyond gluten there are millions of people with food sensitivities and allergies that range from mild to life-threatening. How does something this reckless occur — and next time what if it’s peanuts or shellfish in your vitamins?
The researchers who uncovered this ruse decided to test the probiotics in the first place because they found that many people with celiac, the autoimmune reaction to gluten, were having more celiac-related issues – things like stomach aches, diarrhea and rashes – when they took supplements.
“Many patients with celiac disease take dietary supplements, and probiotics are particularly popular,” says researcher Dr. Samantha Nazareth, a gastroenterologist. “We have previously reported that celiac patients who use dietary supplements have more symptoms than non-users, so we decided to test the probiotics for gluten contamination.”
Nazareth along with her fellow researchers, question why these supplements should have any gluten in them at all, as does Researcher Benjamin Lebwohl who asks, “Why should the consumer pay any attention to gluten-free labeling on such products? And given the great consumer interest in probiotics, will regulatory bodies take action to protect the public?”
So far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken no action, since it believes the amount of gluten (proteins from wheat, barley and rye) in probiotic supplements is so small as to be relatively harmless. Still, the Columbia study found that four of the probiotic brands had more than 20 parts per million of gluten, which violates FDA rules.
All of which adds support to the adage that when you are offered questionable foods or supplements, you should listen to what your body tells you about them. If you react badly, even if the so-called experts (me included) insist they’re good for you, your body knows best. Don’t try to force it to ingest something it knows it shouldn’t. And if your allergy or sensitivity is severe in the first place, take the safe road and get your probiotics, vitamins and minerals from safe whole food sources.
I’ve always been wary of the gluten-free labeling, and no matter your allergy, sensitivity or disease, you should be wary of labels too. My experiences have been so harmful for my health that I rely almost 100 percent on probiotic foods instead. Sauerkraut is one of my favorites and I eat it often as a side dish with almost every meal. Just be sure to get the refrigerated kind because it is not pasteurized and contains the most beneficial bacteria. Sour pickles and pickle juice are good too.
If you don’t have any dairy allergies yogurt and kefir contain very beneficial probiotic bacteria. Traditional miso soup is a delicious probiotic choice (though it’s not always made gluten-free), and for the daring, the Korean dish known as Kimchi.
Be vigilant for your health’s sake.
