(Health Secrets) You had a funny feeling at the restaurant that something wasn’t quite right. Now, it’s a few hours later, and your abdomen feels like someone is squeezing it with a belt, your brain is disappearing into a thick layer of fog, and your muscles ache as though you’re coming down with the flu. Just as you suspected, you have been accidentally eating gluten. Now not only are you in pain, you’re also irritable, every sound is too loud, and no matter how much water you drink, you cannot quench your thirst.
So what do you do?
Here are five remedies you can use to stop the pain after accidentally eating gluten:
- Activated Charcoal
When you’ve eaten gluten by mistake, activated charcoal can be your best friend. This over-the-counter supplement seems to work by binding to the offending protein and keeping it from being absorbed into your system. It works best if taken immediately after exposure, but can also be used after symptoms develop.
(Talk with your healthcare provider before using activated charcoal if you’re on any prescription medication as it may interfere with your body’s ability to absorb the drug.)
- Kombucha Tea
If you’re intolerant to gluten, eating it will strip your gut of the healthy bacteria it needs to functional optimally. Drinking a glass or two of kombucha tea can help replace this beneficial bacteria while supporting your ability to more quickly eliminate the gluten from your body.
- Psyllium Fiber
Taking a psyllium fiber laxative can help stop the pain after accidentally eating gluten. Although it may be a bit gag-worthy, drinking the powdered kind mixed in water can give you better results than the pills. The fiber will expand in your stomach, working to absorb the gluten while adding bulk to your stool. This will help regulate your digestion and flush the gluten out faster.
- Coconut Water
Gluten peptides can trigger an autoimmune reaction throughout your entire body. You may find yourself incredibly thirsty after gluten poisoning because your immune system is going haywire, attacking glands and organs all over the place. Drinking coconut water can help replenish lost electrolytes and prevent dehydration after multiple bathroom trips.
- Digestive Enzymes
As soon as you realize you’ve accidentally eaten gluten, pop a digestive enzyme. These supplements help accelerate the digestive process by assisting your body in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Dr. Amy Myers, a renowned expert in Functional Medicine, suggests taking an enzyme that “includes dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-IV), which helps break down gluten specifically.”
She also recommends those with gluten intolerance and celiac disease take an enzyme with DPP-IV when dining out in case of accidental gluten cross-contamination.
- Grated Ginger Tea
Ginger is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory that helps ease gastrointestinal discomfort. To make the tea, bring two cups of filtered water to a boil, add one tablespoon of fresh grated ginger, cover the saucepan with a lid, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Pour tea into a mug. Add lemon and raw honey to taste.
- One-Day Juice Cleanse
If you have been accidentally eating gluten, your digestive system will not be able to function properly for several days or weeks. As soon as symptoms occur, consider doing a one-day juice cleanse. This will ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs to heal and detoxify while giving your gut a much-needed break.
In addition to these remedies, be sure to get plenty of rest. You need to recover just as much as anyone else with food poisoning. Also, you’re better off staying away from dairy products for seven to 10 days. Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, you may have a hard time digesting them.
Hang in there. You’ll get through this.
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003267
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10545/3-steps-to-recover-after-getting-glutened.html
