Top 10 Ways to Recover After Gluten Exposure

Whether it happened when you dined at a restaurant that didn’t have a dedicated 100% gluten-free kitchen, or when you ate the meatloaf that your aunt insisted didn’t have any bread or flour it in, or even if you have no idea how it happened, many of those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease who follow a strict Paleo or Primal diet have been there: the unfortunate accidental exposure to gluten that is often referred to as “glutening” or “being glutened”. When gluten is eliminated from the diet for a period of time, re-exposure will often lead to unpleasant reactions in people with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. Symptoms of gluten exposure can vary widely and may include:

Muscle and Body Aches
Joint Pain
Fatigue
Bloating or Gas
Nausea or Stomach Cramps
Constipation or Diarrhea
Rashes, Acne, or Other Skin Disturbances
Headaches or Migraines
Depression or Anxiety
Brain fog
Irritability
Exacerbation of Existing Disease Processes

The severity of symptoms from gluten exposure and the length of time it takes to recover depends on numerous factors, including the amount of gluten exposed to, length of time from last gluten exposure, degree of gluten intolerance, presence of celiac disease, health of the digestive tract, existing inflammation or infection in the body, and overall health status. Some people find that they can recover from gluten exposure within a few days, while others may experience significant setbacks in their health that last weeks to months. For those with celiac disease, it may take years for complete healing of the small intestine after gluten exposure, although outward symptoms may resolve much sooner.

Regardless of what symptoms you experience from gluten exposure, there are some steps that you can take to aid the recovery process:

1.) Drink plenty of water: Water is an essential nutrient and every cell of the body needs water to function properly. Water also assists in the removal of wastes and toxins from the body. Many people live in state of chronic dehydration, so drinking an appropriate amount of water may help you to feel more refreshed, alert, and better able to cope with the symptoms of gluten exposure.

2.) Get extra sleep and rest: Sleep is the time that your body repairs itself and undergoes natural detoxification processes. After a gluten exposure, it’s important to honor your body’s need for extra sleep and rest so that it can combat the symptoms that you may be experiencing and facilitate the healing process. You may also want to avoid strenuous activity and opt for gentle exercises like walking and yoga.

3.) Drink bone broth: Bone broth is rich in minerals, gelatin, and other nutrients that are soothing to the digestive system and nourishing for the entire body. An additional benefit is that bone broth is hydrating. Incorporate bone broth into your diet daily.

4.) Take Epsom salt baths: Epsom salts contain magnesium, a mineral that can help relax the body and relieve muscle aches and pains. Also, the sulphate minerals found in Epsom salts are detoxifying. Epsom salt baths can stimulate the lymphatic system and support the immune system. If you don’t already take these baths regularly, start with taking an Epsom salt bath three times per week following a gluten exposure.

5.) Take digestive enzymes: If taken immediately following the consumption of gluten, some people believe that digestive enzymes can help to modulate their symptoms. There are a few digestive enzyme products that are marketed specifically for this purpose; however, it is known that digestive enzymes do not prevent the damage caused by gluten, especially in the case of celiac disease. They should not be used to knowingly consume gluten if you are gluten intolerant, but they may help you to digest your food better in general and lessen some gastrointestinal symptoms following accidental gluten exposure.

6.) Drink ginger and/or peppermint tea: Ginger and peppermint tea are both known to help relieve nausea and can be soothing to the digestive system. Drink a cup if you are having bothersome nausea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

7.) Take activated charcoal: Activated charcoal is an over-the-counter supplement that may be useful if taken immediately following gluten exposure. Activated charcoal may help by binding with the offending food and preventing it from being absorbed by the body. Similar to digestive enzymes, activated charcoal will not necessarily prevent internal damage caused by gluten. Also, this supplement can bind with medications, so consult with your licensed health care professional prior to taking if you are under treatment for any disease or condition. Make sure you hydrate well to prevent constipation after taking activated charcoal.

8.) Eat fermented foods: Fermented foods contain enzymes that enhance digestion and probiotics that help to balance your gut flora, which play a large role in the health of your immune system. Also, fermented foods are high in nutrients that nourish the entire body. If you aren’t already eating fermented foods on a daily basis, start out with a small amount and slowly increase.

9.) Drink nettle leaf tea: Nettle leaf tea contains natural antispasmodic and antihistamine properties. It can help to relieve muscle and joint pains and relax the body. Neither gluten intolerance nor celiac disease is mediated by histamine, but some people report that nettle leaf can help to relieve symptoms of rash and itching following gluten exposure. Nettle leaf tea also has a gentle diuretic effect and can be detoxifying.

10.) Get acupuncture treatments: Acupuncture can relieve inflammation and assist with many of the symptoms following gluten exposure. Most people find acupuncture to be relaxing and calming as well. An acupuncturist can help you to determine how many treatments will be necessary to relieve symptoms following gluten exposure.

Have you used any of these tips to aid in recovery following gluten exposure? What has worked well for you?

About Katy Haldiman, RN

I am a registered nurse and certified nutritional therapist. I specialize in helping people to discover and correct underlying imbalances in the body that lead to symptoms of disease and poor health. I have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from the Ohio State University and a master of science in nursing and healthcare administration (MS) from the University of Michigan. My certification as a nutritional therapist is through the Nutritional Therapy Association.

http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins

Any evidence to support your colorful ideas, or is this just for entertainment? Sorry to sound sarcastic, but I expect an RN to have basic medical and scientific training, and your ideas sound more like “woo” to me.
- http://www.thepaleonurse.com/ Katy Haldiman, MS, RN
  
  Some of the suggestions are based on basic health and wellness principles, as well as the treatment of other acute episodes of illness. Unfortunately, there is still not a lot of research on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, especially when it comes to this specific topic of coping with gluten contamination. In health care, it is difficult to fund studies that don’t focus on pharmacologic treatments. However, some of the suggestions do have evidence behind them. This article was not written with the intention of providing the reader with numerous sources to refer to, but if you search in Pubmed, you will indeed find some studies on some of these recommendations when it comes to recovering from acute episodes of illness (such as the importance of sleep when feeling unwell or the role of ginger in helping with nausea and stomach upset).
  - http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
    
    Katy, I read literally thousands of research papers listed in PubMed, and follow the gluten and celiac disease fields very closely. Please provide some credible examples of actual research supporting your radical ideas.
    Peter Olins, PhD
    http://ultimateglutenfree.com
    - http://WorldVitae.com/ Toffler
      
      Have you also seen the news that published journal articles reinforce bias and are led by special interests?
      http://chriskresser.com/behind-the-veil-conflicts-of-interest-and-fraud-in-medical-research
    - Dr. DiNezza
      
      Peter, while I appreciate your skepticism, I must say that your underlying (implied) premise is off. While I, too, read a lot of research and highly value it, there is more to the scientific method than what lies on pubmed. Please do not misinterpret this as a cop-out or belittling of the point you are attempting to make, as it is not meant to be that at all.
      
      People are often quick to write off interventions that don’t have any “evidence” to support them, when in reality they are solely referring to the evidence that lies in research papers. No, clinical evidence and expert opinion are low on the pyramid of scientific evidence (see link), but they should not be written off entirely. I can tell you from my own personal and clinical experience with patients that many of the interventions Katy lists here are indeed sound.
      
      Here’s the sad reality- if you get exposed to gluten you’re pretty much SOL, and that sucks. While there isn’t much that you can do to avoid the inflammatory and immune mediated effects of a gluten exposure, it is worth while and beneficial to the exposed person to try to make the situation less uncomfortable and rebound as quickly as possible. I think that is the point of this article. No, you can’t do these things and go eat a pizza whenever you feel like it (bummer!), but this list can help you make the most of a shitty situation (pun intended).
      
      Link: http://guides.library.yale.edu/content.php?pid=9786&sid=73113
      - http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
        
        @Dr. Dinezza—great dialog! I totally accept the distinction between the disciplines of science and medicine (seeking understanding versus the need to act—even in the face of woefully inadequate information). However, when Katy makes a series of therapeutic claims, without offering any rationale or evidence, then it is our job to be skeptical. Of course, one exception is placebo-based therapies, but in that case, all that’s needed is to persuasively state that things like Mongolian beetroot or homeopathic woo are effective.
        
        Dr. D, if you have any evidence that any of the 10 therapies are effective (either objectively, or based on personal, subjective experience), then please share this, so that we can discuss further.
      - noneyo
        
        Um…I’ve personally discovered that when my intestines are on fire and I start pounding water the burn calms down. I used to take 4 Advil right away, throw up, then take 4 more and roll around on the floor for a few hours…and end up with very sore intestines for a couple days. Water works. I don’t need researchers wasting time on that study because no one thing will work for everyone but it works for me and I didn’t need a doctor or medical publication… Horrendous trial and error in my personal life makes it true.
      - chowder12
        
        Peter, your arrogance, though couched in science is a form of blindness. A reminder that there is more unknown about celiac than known. For those of us suffering– our bodies are our laboratories. Would I try all of these non-harmful methods? Yes. Already I know from my own experience that ginger tea is helpful, as is drinking plenty of water, and daily bone broth, fermented foods, and use of probiotics (Plenty of science on probiotics and fermented foods!). Get off your high horse. You are a PhD, I am sure you can do your own research. The gut is the next frontier in science.
      - Peter Olins
        
        Hi chowder12. I would be glad to discuss any of Ms. Haldiman’s recommended treatments for celiacs who have been exposed to gluten, but only with some more detailed evidence or rationale—either from her, or from you.
        
        For example, she makes the striking claim that ”…the sulphate minerals found in Epsom salts are detoxifying. Epsom salt baths can stimulate the lymphatic system and support the immune system.”. This sounds like pure woo to me, but I’d be glad to see the evidence. (Chances are, that whenever you see the word “support”, it’s connected with a wild health claim with little or no evidence).
        You mention probiotics and fermented foods: which ones? You claim that there is “plenty of science”: can you share one or two of the best pieces of evidence, with regard to celiac disease?
        
        More generally, with a few exceptions, there seems to be surprisingly little convincing evidence that dietary microbes have “probiotic” activity—despite their popularity with the general public, and the claims of the supplement industry.
        
        BTW I think you may be confusing arrogance with skepticism: one of the key elements of science is that, by default, something is not true unless it is proven. This is rather like a court of law, where the presumption is “innocent until proven guilty”.
- Stuart Page
  
  Celiac here. There’s a modicum of good advice here mixed in with a ton of new-age herbal unscientific nonsense. The burden is on the good RN to back up her claims.
hyperzombie

Acupuncture? really.. how about some Homeopathic medicine? LIke come on you are a Nurse. Did you not pay attention in school?
- http://www.thepaleonurse.com/ Katy Haldiman, MS, RN
  
  A quick search on Pubmed reveals over 20,000 peer-reviewed articles on acupuncture. There are thousands of clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture, particularly for pain relief, nausea, and vomiting. Also, both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture can be helpful in the treatment of many diseases. Many health insurances are now covering payment for acupuncture treatments.
  - hyperzombie
    
    A quick search on bigfoot and sasquatch, has resulted in many papers, Do you want bigfoot to do your acupuncture?
  - futurePrimitive
    
    placebo effect
    - Excuse My Ignorance
      
      Ancient practices throughout time have incorporated placebo type healing practices. A man has proven that a lactose intolerant cell will provide itself with the vital nutrients to grow even when fed pure lactose. Cells have also been shown to grow in different environments each with different results.
      
      Psychological practices use the placebo effect to heal some patients. Meditation, acupuncture, and similar practices have shown significant results not yet proven or sometimes even explainable.
      - futurePrimitive
        
        There are two basic cases when you go to a doctor to receive acupuncture:
        
        1) Receive acupuncture from a practitioner who actually believes that he or she is manipulating the flow of your chi (ie a concept with no basis in reality), while you in turn, as a willing, believing participant potentially experience some sort of placebo effect.
        
        2) Receive acupuncture from a doctor that knows acupuncture doesn’t actually do anything directly, but his or her gullible patients will in significant percentage believe that they are getting some benefit from the treatment (and, again, when this happens, it’s all via the placebo effect).
        
        So, you have either a crackpot or a con-artist you’re receiving “treatment” from.
        
        Pick your poison.
      - http://www.healthisgeek.com/ Brian
        
        Perhaps I’m a bit biased because I’m an acupuncturist/ con-artist/ crackpot/ Sometimes genuinely a nice guy.
        My personal belief is that acupuncture has an effect on the brain (placebo or not)
        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3149981/ fMRI shows
        
        I honestly do not fully believe in the whole chi (Qi) idea, those concepts are use more to show how the systems of the body work together. The ancient chinese had no idea how the stomach could influence the mind or vice versa, they created the Qi system. Which is what we learn today how the gut microbiome can change mood and influence other parts of the body. Research shows benefit to using acu although some trials haven’t efficacy in all areas of health.
        Our own government (crackpot/ con-artist) has spent some time researching acupuncture for PTSD http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17568299
        
        *Warning anecdotal evidence* I have personally seen patients that have tried “everything” and I’ve used a combination of acupuncture/ diet/ and proper supplements to help with everything from Migraines to IBS. They wouldn’t be sending their whole family and friends to me if no benefit was found.
        I haven’t helped everyone, but I’m happy to see research in integrative fields are growing and improving care. I don’t pick a conventional vs alternative side whatever works, works the end.
        
        Oh and how can it help GI with gluten. Acupuncture can influence the brain (see above studies) that can take patient from sympathetic, to parasympathetic reaction. Influencing the vagus nerve to the enteric nervous system, improving Gi transit time to get the bowels moving faster. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23211189
        That coupled with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor is a sure fire way to get the gluten out of you.
        
        Try it before you deny it,
        Brian L.Ac.
      - http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
        
        @Brian—I am a great believer in the placebo effect, especially when there are only limited mechanism-based therapeutics options. The placebo effect is real, although the magnitude of the effect appears to differ for different symptoms. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/25/45/10390.full The point here is that it’s important to distinguish between the the power of suggestion and the particular placebo approach used. The placebo effect also appears to have a limited duration—which is ideal for a therapist who want regular clients.
        
        Regarding fMRI, we would surely expect that an effective placebo/suggestion would act through the brain, and this is supported by fMRI studies. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/303/5661/1162.long
        
        One thing that has always intrigued me is whether it helps for the person delivering the placebo to actually believe that it’s real. Brian, it seems quite plausible to me that your obvious confidence in your abilities contributes to your success. I also wonder if the lengthy and expensive training that we demand of physicians is wasted on such approaches, especially since there is such a shortage of highly-qualified physicians. Perhaps RN-level training is perfectly suited to delivering this kind of care? (Honestly, nothing personal, Katy—nurses rock). However, I struggle with the ethics of a therapy that relies on suggestion; more importantly, I think that the current popularity of pseudoscience and “woo” (e.g. vaccination, climate change mitigation, GMO’s, pesticides, etc.) seriously undermines our society’s ability to make science-based policy decisions, and that the practice of “alternative” medicine by MDs does a disservice to society. At the risk of changing the subject, a good example is a prominent local MD who advocates homeopathic remedies as an alternative to vaccination. http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2013/01/13/influenza-blues-seven-tips-to-prevent-infection/
      - http://www.healthisgeek.com/ Brian
        
        @ Peter
        Yes I have confidence in my abilities, but this is after years of study of both alternative and traditional medicine. Anyone can play basketball but not many can get in the NBA.
        I get the expensive training for RN and MD’s they are amazingly talented what they do. Can they do simple act of Acu well yeah for sure no doubt, safety is number one. There have been cases of poorly trained people giving pneumothorax, because they had only 100 hour quick course in “dry needling” and then market they do Acu or XYZ therapy. That sucks.
        I’m pro whatever works, and a lot of people need coaching in the correct information for them. No just some fad BS MLM diet or extremist views one side of an argument.Those extremist have a lot of pull on people mind because they are searching for answers. I have my personal views on topics yes, and I believe I’m an expert in certain fields because I put a lot of homework in.
        
        Find what works and be happy
      - Dr Jill
        
        Thanks for sharing my article, Peter. I feel that’s its critically important for otherwise healthy individuals to focus on ways to enhance natural immunity and thus my post on tips to prevent influenza. I am not anti-vaccine but I do advise caution as many of my most sensitive patients cannot tolerate the additional immune burden of preservatives contained in many vaccines or the thimersol still contained in multi-dose flu vaccines, like this one. https://www.novartisvaccinesdirect.com/Pdf/Fluvirin_PI.pdf
      - http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
        
        Hi Jill—While it would be tempting, this is not the place to get distracted into a discussion about vaccines, preservatives or thimerosal—this should be on a different forum. The point is that a surprising number of people (even those with MD credentials, like yourself) clearly support the use of placebo-based treatments, such as homeopathic remedies. (The Swiss even voted that this should be covered under their national health system). While there is some evidence that placebos can offer modest (but temporary) benefit in some brain-related conditions, such as pain or nausea, I am not aware of any evidence that this effect is relevant to serious infectious diseases, such as influenza. But of course, as a scientist, I try to remain open to changing my mind, based on actual evidence or reasoning. If, indeed, placebos were shown to prevent serious, life-threatening, diseases such as influenza, then I personally would be in favor of adding a placebo component to nationwide immunization programs. (On reflection, though, this may already be present, due to the possible psychological/neurological effect of using a painful needle to deliver the vaccine).
        
        Jill, as I mentioned in a previous comment, I’d be interested in your opinion on how important it is for a medical practitioner to actually believe in the efficacy of a placebo remedy.
      - http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
        
        Hi Jill—While it would be tempting, this is not the place to get distracted into a discussion about vaccines, preservatives or thimerosal—this should be on a different forum. The point is that a surprising number of people (even those with MD credentials, like yourself) clearly support the use of placebo-based treatments, such as homeopathic remedies. (The Swiss even voted that this should be covered under their national health system). While there is some evidence that placebos can offer modest (but temporary) benefit in some brain-related conditions, such as pain or nausea, I am not aware of any evidence that this effect is relevant to serious infectious diseases, such as influenza. But of course, as a scientist, I try to remain open to changing my mind, based on actual evidence or reasoning. If, indeed, placebos were shown to prevent serious, life-threatening, diseases such as influenza, then I personally would be in favor of adding a placebo component to nationwide immunization programs. (On reflection, though, this may already be present, due to the possible psychological/neurological effect of using a painful needle to deliver the vaccine).
        
        Jill, as I mentioned in a previous comment, I’d be interested in your opinion on how important it is for a medical practitioner to actually believe in the efficacy of a placebo remedy.
      - noneyo
        
        You’re something else. Are you here because you suffer from the ill effects, or just to spread misinformation and confuse the issue. You think gmos are safe? You’ve seen the evolutionary proof that there will be no ill effects from tampering with the food chain at such a fundemental level? You are Assuming that 100 years from now there will be no change in people(who are what they eat) from the bastardization of our food supply? Pseudoscience be damned you are a psychic prophet, sir.
      - noneyo
        
        Science said pesticides were safe…until they said they weren’t. American policy labeled weed a schedule 1 drug and yet it has medical benefit. I’ll go out on a limb and use my own magical powers to determine that you’re just a jerk.
      - futurePrimitive
        
        The fMRI study demonstrates that there are neural correlates to poking people with sharp pointy things that pierce the skin, and there are both overlapping and potentially disparate neural correlates to being poked with less pointy things that do not pierce the skin.
        
        It’s uncontroversial that there are neural correlates for every instance of sensory perception. This observation is unremarkable in and of itself, and the fact that it happens in the limbic system –a key brain structure involved in early sensory processing– isn’t surprising either.
        
        Also, it’s worth mentioning that fMRI studies are in general to be treated with a high degree of skepticism and reservation because they have serious limiting issues.
        
        For instance, multiple comparisons correction (a statistical method) should be applied to compensate for false positives in analysis of fMRI data, and up until very recently, this wasn’t regular practice.
        Unfortunately, while multiple comparisons correction mitigates false positives, it both lowers the statistical power of the analysis and has the potential to cause false negatives. Kind of a bummer, really, but I’ve little doubt the tech and methods of analysis will improve.
        
        I refer you to “the dead salmon study” from 2012 :
        
        http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/scicurious-brain/2012/09/25/ignobel-prize-in-neuroscience-the-dead-salmon-study/
        
        ( incidentally: the dead salmon study post-dates your reference by a couple of years, and note that your study does not acknowledge the need to perform multiple comparisons correction and neither do the references they cite, so … ? )
        
        In short, we can’t really say much about your fMRI study (other than I think stuff like this is cool and promising when it comes to mapping neural correlates of various mental states).
        
        Next, the PTSD study… briefly, compared to a “wait list” group, the people that received acupuncture or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) showed improvement in clinical outcome to a statistically significant degree.
        
        So, consider the distinctions here and wonder how in the world this controls for the placebo effect and what cofounders are likely to be present in the study design:
        
        the wait list group sits around and festers in angst prior to intervention while acupuncture intervention group and CBT group receive thoughtful, considerate attention specifically administered to help them become well again.
        
        I’m not going to go through the whole study, but instead refer you to this systematic review that includes your paper:
        
        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580897/
        
        The above paper reveals that while the study you chose was amongst the better of the designs, and the overall estimate of bias in the study design (according to the Cochrane Institute standards) is low, it found the “performance bias” to be high:
        
        (from Cochrane:)
        “Performance bias refers to systematic differences between groups in the care that is provided, or in exposure to factors other than the interventions of interest. . After enrollment into the study, blinding (or masking) of study participants and personnel may reduce the risk that knowledge of which intervention was received, rather than the intervention itself, affects outcomes. Effective blinding can also ensure that the compared groups receive a similar amount of attention, ancillary treatment and diagnostic investigations. Blinding is not always possible, however. For example, it is usually impossible to blind people to whether or not major surgery has been undertaken.”
        
        and quotes referring specifically to your paper:
        
        “In all, the four included RCTs had an unclear risk of bias in terms of selective reporting and other sources of bias.”
        
        So, that certainly raises questions right off the bat… we can’t be really sure what to attribute outcomes to here.
        
        Finally, “Acupuncture has positive effects in PTSD patients, although the evidence is still lacking as to its true efficacy for this condition”.
        
        This translates to saying that they saw positive effects (as I initially mentioned), but can’t determine efficacy — that is, they don’t know if it’s the acupuncture itself that’s actually doing anything.
        
        In conclusion, with respect to all of the studies included in their systematic review the authors state, “The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for PTSD is encouraging but not cogent, because only two RCTs were included in meta-analysis, and it is too small to verify the efficacy of acupuncture.”
        
        The effectiveness of acupuncture isn’t “cogent” because there isn’t a clear, convincing, and logical relationship that can be established with acupuncture and clinical outcomes — and that’s given the best studies done to date.
        
        Underwhelming, unconvincing.
        
        I’ll skip your anecdotal evidence. Honestly, I’ve little doubt you’ve helped some people feel better. I just don’t think they feel better for the reasons you think they feel better.
        
        Lastly, we have the study you present regarding acupuncture and GI motility in rats.
        
        Rats are not humans. Studies based on animal models are used as hypothesis generating devices. Beyond that, we can’t say much of anything about what happens in people until we design and conduct a study for people.
        
        I’m not going to take this one any further because while it’s potentially interesting as a starting place to design a new study, it doesn’t –simply for what it is– provide us with anything that’s immediately compelling, either.
      - http://www.healthisgeek.com/ Brian
        
        Yeah I’m well aware of the counter arguments against my practices. I don’t have time to dive in the research archives unfortunately. The research measuring contest goes on forever haha. Yes, honestly for a time I felt like a charlatan snake oil salesman, but then I started to research in what makes health and happy because I started with myself. I don’t claim to know all the right answers, if people want to trade money for my time to put needles and coach them on feeling good. I’m blessed. If it helps awesome, if it doesn’t I did the best I could without fear mongering telling them microwaves are bad and vaccines are 10000megatoxic. Because Science Bro.
        The fact is people are still sick and people are getting better using “alternative” therapies. I’m an acupuncturist like it or not, I’m here to stay now lets improve the communication between doctors patients and providers.
      - Excuse My Ignorance
        
        a crackpot or a con-artist?
        
        When people attack others character I can’t take them seriously. Stick to the facts and leave out the name calling.
        
        Ultimately it’s your decision to try these things. So maybe your the crackpot for not trying it out and searching for yourself. Instead you form a biased unfriendly opinion on something because YOUR brain tells you so.
        
        Thanks for the explanation of a couple more types of people out in this world.
      - futurePrimitive
        
        I’m not attacking anybody’s character, I’m describing what they are based on their actions.
      - Peter Olins
        
        Woo and whimsy.
        Fortunately “ancient practices” eventually die out. I admit that placebo may work when there is nothing better available, but I have a problem with the ethics of a medical practitioner lying to a patient. On the other hand, when a mother pats her child’s scraped knee and says it will get better soon, she is performing an “ancient practice” that does no harm, and may help.
      - AgroforestryTBD
        
        And this statement is on behalf of ancient practical uses of herbs and spices?
  - http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
    
    As a delivery system for placebo-based psychological relief, acupuncture probably doesn’t do much harm—and appears to be a lucrative business model. I am much more comfortable with this approach than the use of so-called “supplements”, since many, if not most, of these are fraudulent, and potentially dangerous. Ironically, a recent analysis of “supplements” found an alarming incidence of adulteration with gluten—definitely bad news for people with celiac disease!
    
    This is not the place to discuss why so many people still try to prove that acupuncture “works”, in the face of such a large amount of negative data. However, a couple of links offer a good starting point for further reading:
    http://www.dcscience.net/Colquhoun-Novella-A&A-2013.pdf
    http://edzardernst.com/2014/10/more-evidence-to-show-that-acupuncture-is-a-theatrical-placebo/
- futurePrimitive
  
  Channeling Ramtha with purple energy crystals works WAY better for improving the odds of surviving gluten exposure, brother.
  
  And if you’re truly a celiac, dear reader, consult your doctor.
ruthy

I have found myself instinctively drinking nettle tea and lots of water when ive been glutened and i have acupunture every two weeks i look forward to the acupunture as ive found its the only thing that helps with all my symptoms , im supprised at all the negative reactions to your advice :-) x
futurePrimitive

Epsom salts baths are equivalent to regular baths.

Epsom salts have no meaningful physiological effect unless they are ingested.
- Dr. DiNezza
  
  That is not true. I have had patients increase RBC Mg levels with epsom baths alone when I felt that supplementation was not the best fit for them.
  - futurePrimitive
    
    Here’s a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study involving Israeli soldiers, testing for dermal absorption of magnesium sulfate that found “no significant differences in magnesium levels between the placebo and the study groups in any of the applications”. I cannot find *any* studies of equivalent or greater quality design on pubmed that corroborate your assertion.
    
    Perhaps your patients ate some magnesium rich nuts, had a cup of coffee, got dehydrated, and their blood magnesium went up as a result. Or who knows what (since you’re *most likely* not running a double-blind, placebo controlled trial in a ward-like setting, you’ll have to forgive my skepticism).
    
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19216298
Dr. DiNezza

Great list, Katy. I would add to look for an enzyme blend that contains DPP-IV after a gluten exposure. The sooner you take it, the better. I often take enzymes (including DPP-IV) when I dine in strange restaurants (I like “Glutenflam” by Apex Energetics).
- http://ultimateglutenfree.com/ Peter Olins
  
  @Dr. DiNezza—I question the use of protease enzyme “supplements” that have not undergone testing for safety in healthy adults, let alone celiac patients with inflamed intestines. I agree with Dr. Stefano Guandalini (one of the world’s celiac disease experts) that there is no evidence that over-the-counter enzyme supplements are effective for celiacs.
  
  In contrast, a new biotech company, Alvine Pharmaceuticals, after spending $millions, is conducting Phase 2 clinical trials with a novel enzyme preparation designed to digest the common proline peptide bonds present in gluten. In a few years, assuming that this drug is both safe and effective, then perhaps we can discuss whether an enzyme treatment is appropriate for celiac disease patients suffering after accidental exposure to gluten.
  
  I should also point out that a recent study of over-the-counter “supplements” sold in the U.S. found that about one half were mislabeled or adulterated. I question the ethics of subjecting patients to this kind of lottery, unless there is compelling evidence to the contrary. Perhaps there is some placebo benefit to patients spending $75 on Amazon to buy a bottle of the product you recommend. Chances are that most patients will ignore the caveat from the company selling this product: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
http://WorldVitae.com/ Toffler

I like the idea of epsom salt baths for body and joint pain.

For me, I’ve found water, sleep, and fermented foods (and of course, time) to be the best remedies for too much gluten/wheat/sugar/alcohol consumption. (I’m somewhat sensitive, but not truly intolerant.)

I’ve also heard that because of the anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine properties, that tea and turmeric can help in these cases.
Alice

Thank you for mentioning activated charcoal’s interactions with prescription meds! So many people in the alt health community have been singing its praises recently, but it can make things much worse depending on what other sort of medications a person is taking.
susan

If you can’t be respectful you should keep your comments to yourself. Try the method or not. Your choice.
Thanks Katy for this information. People who suffer from gluten intolerance can appreciate what you have posted. I know I do.
Some people just want to argue and cause drama. Shows their character.
Julie Sadtler

I’m a bit shocked at the hostility shown here. Your advice is good advice, as I bet most people with actual gluten sensitivity would agree. These are NOT radical ideas. These ideas have helped me WAY more than ANY of my “traditional” doctors’ ideas of hopping me up on pills.

And for the record, I would NEVER go to a doctor who speaks as rudely as some below. So many doctors these days are so close-minded and don’t listen to their patients. Debate for the sake of debating is not real discourse. Remove the ego, and actually listen.
Debbie

Thank you, Katy for this info. I just googled to find out what I can do to help with my symptoms of being glutened and it does help and your info is very much appreciated regardless of what some know-it-all trying to cause trouble or maybe trying to intimate because he doesn’t really know anything about the subject. Most doctors don’t know much about this disease. Maybe that’s what bothers him more than anything, he might be intimidated. Please keep up the good work so we can keep getting more valuable info.

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