These questions originally appeared on The Celiac Diva website. Visit The Celiac Diva

1) Many people who live with Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks. For those who have already done GF and are still dealing with this, what vitamin or mineral deficiency should they be tested for, in the event that a malabsorption issue is causing this pain?

There are no tests available that can assess the connection between malabsorption and mental status. However, patients who are dealing with depression and anxiety may benefit from testing the neurotransmitter metabolites in their urine. Several of our supplements can help with anxiety and depression. These included magnolia bark extract, rhodiola, eleutherococcus, DMAE and acetyl-L-carnitine.

2) Recently, you sent me your magnesium malate supplement (thank you so much, love it!). Why have you chosen to use this form of magnesium (malate) in your line of Gluten Free Remedies? Is magnesium malate the most absorbable kind of magnesium?

Most of the magnesium salts with the exception of magnesium oxide are absorbed well. Gluten-Free Remedies prefers magnesium malate because the malate portion supplies energy pathways to the muscles.

3) What symptoms would suggest a magnesium deficiency?

Muscle cramps, calcium deposits in the joints, tremors and hypertension

4) Many Celiacs, like yours truly, are working hard to reverse osteoperosis and osteopenia due to a malabsoprtion of Calcium before we were diagnosed. Is one type of calcium more absorbable than others?

Even if you do not have celiac disease, you can absorb only so much calcium from your gut. Gluten-Free Remedies prefers calcium lactate because this is the only calcium salt which was shown to slow down bone resorption (where bone is broken down faster than it can be renewed). In addition, the lactate portion stimulates growth of healthy gut bacteria. If you are dealing with osteoporosis, you need to take enough vitamin D, magnesium as well as strontium.

5) {Getting to know you} What’s your favorite gluten free breakfast?

Gluten-free certified oatmeal.

6) For your patients that have gone gluten free, what’s the one mistake you don’t want to see them make?

Do not be paranoid that a gluten free diet/life style will make you socially unacceptable.

Gluten-Free Remedies™ has added two new probiotics to its line; Bacillus coagulans and GoldenBiotic-8™. Keep reading to learn more about why our probiotics are good for you, the difference between the two and which is right for you.

You can reach us at 858-794-9192 or info@glutenfreeremedies.com

Bacillus coagulans
Bacillus coagulans, also known as Lactobacillus sporogenes, is a gram-positive, spore-forming probiotic which is characterized by the increased survival in acidic gastric environment and in bile-acid-associated duodenal environment as compared to the commonly used probiotic microorganisms. Bacillus coagulans does not adhere to the human intestinal epithelium and is completely eliminated in four to five days unless chronic administration is maintained. Once in the intestines, Bacillus coagulans is activated and releases anti-inflammatory molecules or acts indirectly to eradicate organisms in the gut responsible for the inflammatory immune response. Activated Bacillus coagulans produces bacteriocins and lowers local pH by producing L(+) lactic acid that, along with competition for sites of mucosal adherence, works to dislodge and eliminate any antagonizing microbes that may be contributing to an inflammatory response. Bacillus coagulans also produces short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid, a compound known to support the health and healing of cells in the small and large intestines and to contribute to modulation of the mucosal immune system.

Typical indications for use of Bacillus coagulans in humans include:
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory arthritis / rheumatoid arthritis
• Adjunct therapy for lactose and fructose intolerance
• Clostridium difficile-associated colitis
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• Immunostimulatory activity
• Prophylaxis of upper respiratory viral infections
• Anti-fungal/anti-yeast therapy
• Treatment of yeast and bacterial vaginal infections

Potential side effects:
• Infrequent bloating

Potential drug interactions:
• Have not been reported

Contraindications:
• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Chemotherapy
• Severe immunosuppression

Complementary natural products:
• Fructo-oligosaccharides
• Mannan Oligosaccharides
• Policosanol
• GoldenBiotic-8™
• Saccharomyces Boulardii

Dosage information:

The recommended dose of Bacillus coagulans varies from 25 to 75 billion CFUs (Colony-Forming Unit) a day. Bacillus coagulans is taken on an empty stomach 20-30 minutes before meal.

Bibliography:

Baron M. A patented strain of Bacillus coagulans increased immune response to viral challenge. Postgrad Med. 2009 Mar;121(2):114-8.

Czaczyk K, Trojanowska K, Mueller A. Antifungal activity of Bacillus coagulans against Fusarium sp. Acta Microbiol Pol. 2002;51(3):275-83.

Dolin BJ. Effects of a proprietary Bacillus coagulans preparation on symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Dec;31(10):655-9.

Hun L. Bacillus coagulans significantly improved abdominal pain and bloating in patients with IBS. Postgrad Med. 2009 Mar;121(2):119-24.

Mandel DR, Eichas K, Holmes J. Bacillus coagulans: a viable adjunct therapy for relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis according to a randomized, controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Jan 12;10:1.

GoldenBiotic-8™ is a proprietary blend of 8 probiotic microorganisms specifically designed to restore gastrointestinal health in patients with malabsorption, leaky gut syndrome and chronic candidiasis.

The key probiotic constituents of GoldenBiotic-8™ include:

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a species of Lactobacilli which occurs naturally in the human and animal gastrointestinal tract and in many dairy products. The L. acidophilus strain DDS-1 is one of the best characterized probiotic strains in the world. The medicinal properties of L. acidophilus DDS-1 include: production of lactic acid supporting good bacteria in the gut, production of B and K vitamins, prevention of colon cancer, prevention of ‘traveler’s diarrhea’, inhibition of gastric/duodenal ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, reduction of symptoms of eczema and atopic dermatitis, reduction of serum cholesterol level, fermentation of lactose and reduction of symptoms of lactose intolerance, reduction of intestinal pain.

Lactobacillus plantarum is a Gram-positive bacterium naturally found in many fermented food products including sauerkraut, pickles, brined olives, Korean kimchi, sourdough, and other fermented plant material, and also some cheeses, fermented sausages, and stockfish. The medicinal properties of L. plantarum include: production of D- and L-isomers of lactic acid feeding beneficial gut bacteria, production of hydrogen peroxide killing pathogenic bacteria, production of enzymes (proteases) degrading soy protein and helping people with soy intolerance, synthesis of amino-acid L-lysine that promotes absorption of calcium and the building of muscle tissue, production of enzymes (proteases) digesting animal proteins such as gelatin and helping people with pancreatic insufficiency.

Lactobacillus casei is a species of Lactobacilli found in the human intestine and mouth. The medicinal properties of L. casei include: production of lactic acid assisting propagation of desirable bacteria in the gut, fermentation of lactose and helping people with lactose intolerance, fermentation of beans causing flatulence upon digestion.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a species of Lactobacilli found in yogurt and other dairy products. The medicinal properties of L. rhamnosus include: production of lactic acid supporting good bacteria in the gut, production of bacteriocins and hydrogen peroxide killing pathogenic bacteria, prevention of diarrhea of various nature, prevention of upper respiratory infections, reduction of symptoms of eczema and atopic dermatitis, affecting GABA neurotransmitting pathway and reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Lactobacillus salivarius is a species of Lactobacilli isolated from saliva. The medicinal properties of L. salivarius include: production of lactic acid supporting good bacteria in the gut, reduction of inflammatory processes causing colitis and inflammatory arthritis, prevention of colon cancer.

Bifidobacterium bifidus is a Gram-positive bacterium which is a ubiquitous inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract. B. bifidus are capable of fermenting of various polysaccharides of animal and plant origin. The medicinal properties of B. bifidus include: production of hydrogen peroxide killing pathogenic bacteria, modulation of local immune responses, production of vitamins B, K and folic acid, prevention of colon cancer, bioconversion of a number of dietary compounds into bioactive molecules.

Bifidobacterium lactis is a Gram-positive bacterium which is found in the large intestines of humans. The medicinal properties of B. lactis include: production of hydrogen peroxide killing pathogenic bacteria, modulation of local immune responses, production of vitamins B, K and folic acid, prevention of colon cancer.

Lactococcus lactis is a Gram-positive bacterium used in the production of buttermilk and cheese. The medicinal properties of L. lactis include: production of lactic acid supporting good bacteria in the gut, prevention of colon cancer, fermentation of lactose and reduction of symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Typical indications for use of GoldenBiotic-8™ in humans include:
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Treatment of leaky gut syndrome
• Treatment of pancreatic insufficiency
• Adjunct therapy of various food intolerances
• Malabsorption syndromes
• Peptic-ulcer disease due to Helicobacter pylori
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• Prophylaxis of upper respiratory viral infections
• Treatment of chronic gastrointestinal candida/yeast infection
• Treatment of yeast and bacterial vaginal infections

Potential side effects:
• Infrequent bloating

Potential drug interactions:
• Have not been reported

Contraindications:
• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Chemotherapy
• Severe immunosuppression

Complementary natural products:
• Fructo-oligosaccharides
• Mannan Oligosaccharides
• Policosanol
• Bacillus coagulans
• Saccharomyces Boulardii

Dosage information:
The recommended dose of GoldenBiotic-8™ varies from 25 to 100 billion CFU (Colony-Forming Unit) a day. GoldenBiotic-8™ are taken on an empty stomach 20-30 minutes before meal.

Bibliography:
Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV, Escaravage E, Savignac HM, Dinan TG, Bienenstock J, Cryan JF. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Sep 20;108(38):16050-5.

Girardin M, Seidman EG. Indications for the use of probiotics in gastrointestinal diseases. Dig Dis. 2011;29(6):574-87.

Vasile N, Ghindea R, Vassu T. Probiotics–an alternative treatment for various diseases. Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 2011 Apr-Jun;70(2):54-9.

1. Both products are probiotics.
2. Both products are complementary to each other.
3. Bacillus coagulans is more suitable for various inflammatory conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, ponetially – psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
4. GoldenBiotic-8™ are more suitable for: malabsorption, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, and leaky gut syndrome.