A Drug For Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity

[mellowsong]

Dr. Osborne; Gluten Free Warrior
17 October 2011
With the rise in popularity of gluten free diets and gluten sensitivity, the market has adjusted and is diligently working hard to create products and service for those who cannot eat gluten. Currently, the gluten free food market is slated to reach 5 billion plus in annual revenue. Additionally, we have multiple drug companies racing to find solutions. One research group is working on a vaccination for celiac disease.
Here Comes ALV003
Alvine Pharmaceuticals has recently finished a phase 2a trial of ALV003 (a new drug being designed to treat celiac patients). The drug is a modified enzyme with the goal of breaking down gluten based proteins.

Read more: http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/glu...iac-treatment/

[mellowsong]

I see a lot of problems with this:
1. It is a "modified" enzyme (of course, so it can be patented) so would not be found in our bodies nor in the food we eat. Therefore, it would probably do harm at some point.
2. It would be full of artificial colors and other ingredients, that again, can damage an already damaged gut.
3. Every single person is different. They are finding multiple proteins implicated in celiac/gluten sensitivity, not just gluten. People react to different ones; you can still be gluten sensitive but not have anti-gliadin antibodies for example. Therefore, it probably wouldn't be very effective for many.
4. While this is supposed to help the body cope with "accidental" exposure; many people are going to take it as a license to indulge and continue to harm their bodies.

Why make/use a drug when there is a cheap, natural solution already available; as in a strictly gluten free diet?

[Islander]

He does emphasize (twice) that its intended use is as an adjunct to a GF diet. One of the problems, as you point out, is potential misuse (as in diabetics indulging in birthday cake and just adding extra insulin). Bad idea.

[Katee]

\
Why make/use a drug when there is a cheap, natural solution already available; as in a strictly gluten free diet?

$$$$$

[Aaltrude]

$$$$$

Exactly Katee

[hlahore]

There are many LOW_COST over-the-counter drugs on the market to help for Gluten Sensitivity - but not Celiac
You can find 12 of them with comments on Amazon
My wife has just tried GlutenEase, and it seems to work well. 2 pills before a meal having some wheat in it.
Note: my wife also happens to have a high level of vitamin D, which may also be the solution.
40 cents a pill

[Reesacat]

@hlahore: gluten sensitivity triggers an autoimmune response that can lead to cancer, diabetes, neurological damage, pain (depletes serotonin which is your main neurotransmitter for freaking everything), osteoporosis, dementia, etc. Why eat it? There are people in wheelchairs from neurological damage from gluten.

[hlahore]

There are times when it is nearly impossible to not eat gulten. Pot luck dinners for example.
This 'drug' appears to completely stop the autoimmune response for a meal.
Read about it - it works at the cellular level.
We share a 100% gluten free meal at home, but we also eat out, and occasionally she ends up having eating some gluten.
She just carries the pills in her purse - have only used them twice now in 10 weeks.

[Reesacat]

Whew! Understand that (I figured your lovely wife would know since you are very well informed).
Dr. Osbourne recommends digestive enzymes (which are in a lot of these products) for accidental gluten exposure. It is very hard to avoid while traveling. Thanks for the info!
I would probably talk about these products as "Use if you get accidental exposure to gluten" just to help people understand they need to go gluten-free for best results and use this for back-up.

[Islander]

Reesacat, the accidental exposure warning is a wise approach. My potluck group knows everyone's sensitivities and cooks accordingly; occasionally there will be something like, say, dessert which I am free to consume or not. I rarely eat out, but when I do it's possible to have broiled seafood, a baked potato, and a salad for which I bring my own dressing. Even without symptoms, I know that damage is being done and I choose the cautious approach: complete avoidance. But it's good to know that an "antidote" is available!