What do you do?

Every so often something happens and you end up with gluten in your system. This could be an accidental cross contamination, or one bad day when self control went out the window. So what happens next? How exactly do you deal with getting gluten in your system? I am not a medical expert but after a recent incident I needed those answers. I turned to a support forum and general searching for my plan. After combining and tweaking a whole lot of information this is what I came up with.

1.) Take some activated charcoal as soon as possible.
Activated charcoal is used to absorb yucky stuff that can get into your system normally. The theory is that it will also absorb some of the gluten and other things that could upset your stomach. Be warned it can make your *ahem* bowel movements *ahem* an interesting color. Read the labeling so you aren't freaked out.

2.) Get Traditional Medicinal Ginger Aid Tea
I suppose you could go buy any brand of ginger tea but I have never had a tea quite as potent as the one Traditional Medicinal makes. Ginger is known to help upset stomachs, another option is to find some strong ginger ale or ginger beer if you prefer to have your drinks cold.

3.) Take L-Glutamine with your meals
Studies have shown that L-Glutamine can help heal your intestinal tract. Here is some more information.

4.) Take digestive enzymes with your meals
You can buy papaya enzymes at your local health store. They are made of an enzyme called papain, here's how it helps

"Introducing papain into a meal containing meat can significantly speed up its digestion. It may also help with the breakdown of other ‘troublesome’ proteins, such as the gluten in wheat and the casein in milk, that are often implicated in digestive problems."
http://superfoodprofiles.com/papaya-enzymes-digestion

5.) After a day or two get some probiotics going
Either buy some tablets at the store or stock up like crazy on the yogurt. (I prefer the tablets) Probiotics are the happy bacteria in your intestines that help break down and digest your food. After a good gluten hit these buddies can get knocked out and you can help them regroup just a little faster.

As I said, I am by no means a medical expert but this is what has helped me. I took the charcoal for two days with every meal and I am still taking the rest of the supplements with every meal and it has been a week and a half. Seeing as these are "normal" supplements you could consult your doctor and possibly just stay on them. Or you could stop after a week or two. It's your call.

Hopefully this helps you, or even better hopefully you never need this advice.

Happy Eating,
Tori