Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. People with gluten intolerance or celiac disease need to follow a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, avoiding all foods and drinks containing gluten. This means reading ingredient labels carefully and looking for hidden sources of gluten.
Benefiber is a popular fiber supplement made from wheat dextrin. Wheat dextrin is derived from wheat starch. So an important question for those with gluten intolerance is – can you take Benefiber safely if you need to be on a gluten-free diet? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in Benefiber and whether it’s likely to be OK for gluten intolerance.
What is Benefiber?
Benefiber is a dietary supplement that contains wheat dextrin as the main active ingredient. It comes in powder form and is mixed with water or other liquids.
Some key facts about Benefiber:
– It contains 100% natural wheat dextrin soluble fiber. Wheat dextrin is a type of soluble fiber derived from wheat starch.
– It’s colorless, tasteless and dissolves completely in water or other liquids.
– It can help promote regularity, support heart health, help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and aid weight management efforts.
– It’s calorie-free and sugar-free.
– It mixes easily into foods and drinks without changing their taste or texture.
Is wheat dextrin gluten-free?
The source of wheat dextrin is wheat starch. But the manufacturing process removes the proteins responsible for gluten from the wheat starch. So wheat dextrin itself is considered gluten-free.
Here are some key points on wheat dextrin and gluten:
– Wheat dextrin contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten. At this trace amount, it’s considered gluten-free by FDA standards.
– The wheat starch goes through enzymatic processing that converts the starch into soluble wheat dextrin fiber. This process removes the gluten protein fractions.
– Independent lab testing has confirmed no detectable levels of gluten in Benefiber.
– Benefiber is certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). Products bearing the GFCO logo must contain less than 10 parts per million of gluten.
So while it’s derived from wheat, wheat dextrin itself as an ingredient is considered gluten-free.
Benefiber and gluten intolerance
Based on its gluten-free certification and testing showing virtually no detectable gluten, Benefiber should be safe for most people with gluten intolerance, including those with celiac disease.
However, there are a few additional points to consider:
– Individual sensitivity levels vary. Some people with celiac disease are more sensitive than others. Even tiny amounts of gluten could trigger issues or intestinal damage for those who are highly sensitive. For these individuals, it may be best to avoid Benefiber.
– Purity standards could change. If manufacturing processes change in the future, gluten levels in wheat dextrin could rise above the gluten-free threshold. So it’s worth periodically checking back on the gluten-free status.
– Cross-contamination is possible. There’s an outside chance of gluten cross-contamination during production if wheat flour is processed in the same facility. Some people with celiac disease react to even small traces of cross-contamination.
– Other ingredients may contain gluten. Some Benefiber products contain additional ingredients beyond wheat dextrin, so it’s important to check each product’s label to make sure no other gluten sources are included.
So in summary, Benefiber appears generally safe for gluten intolerance, based on its GFCO certification and independent lab results. But those who are highly gluten-sensitive should use caution and may want to avoid it or look for alternative fiber sources. Checking with a doctor is advised if you have concerns.
Benefiber products that are gluten-free
Benefiber makes a range of fiber supplement products. Here are some of their key products that are certified gluten-free and should be suitable for gluten intolerance:
Original Benefiber Powder – This is their original unflavored powder supplement containing 100% wheat dextrin fiber. It’s their simplest gluten-free product.
Benefiber Healthy Shape – This is also 100% wheat dextrin fiber but specifically marketed for weight management. It’s gluten-free.
Benefiber Stick Packs – The powder in convenient to-go stick packs. Gluten-free.
Benefiber Chewables – These are chewable tablets containing wheat dextrin and vegetable cellulose. They are gluten-free.
Benefiber Gummies – The gummies provide wheat dextrin fiber in a candy-like gummy form. They are gluten-free.
So in general, products containing 100% wheat dextrin as the sole ingredient are gluten-free and suitable for gluten intolerance. But always check labels to confirm ingredients haven’t changed.
Benefiber products to avoid with gluten intolerance
While plain Benefiber powders containing only wheat dextrin are gluten-free, some products contain additional ingredients that are not gluten-free. Here are some to be cautious of if you have gluten intolerance:
– Benefiber with Taste Options – Benefiber powder that comes pre-mixed with flavorings like orange, lemon, strawberry. The flavors likely contain gluten.
– Benefiber Immune Support – Contains additional vitamins including a wheat-derived vitamin. So not gluten-free.
– Benefiber Daily Prebiotic – Contains inulin along with wheat dextrin. Inulin is extracted from chicory root and is gluten-free, but other added ingredients may not be.
– Benefiber Energy – Contains green coffee bean extract in addition to wheat dextrin, so unlikely to be gluten-free.
So check all ingredient labels carefully. Any Benefiber products with added vitamins, flavorings, or other ingredients may contain gluten. Plain wheat dextrin powders are safest for avoiding gluten.
Alternatives to Benefiber if avoiding wheat ingredients
For those who wish to avoid even wheat-derived ingredients like wheat dextrin, there are some fiber supplements made from alternative gluten-free sources:
– Citrucel Caplets – Made from methylcellulose, derived from citrus fruits
– Glucomannan powders – Made from konjac root
– Psyllium husk powders or capsules – From the Plantago ovata plant seed
– Inulin powders – Derived from chicory root
– Acacia fiber powders – From the acacia tree
So people with gluten intolerance do have some options if they want to avoid wheat-based fiber like Benefiber. These provide gluten-free soluble fiber from different plant sources. Just be sure to check labels to ensure no gluten ingredients are added.
Checking for gluten in medications and supplements
Benefiber is classified as a supplement, but it’s important for those with gluten intolerance to check all types of ingestible products for gluten content, including:
– Prescription medications
– Over-the-counter medications
– Vitamins and supplements
– Herbal remedies
Many pills contain fillers and binding agents to hold the ingredients together. These “inactive ingredients” may include gluten sources like wheat starch.
Here are some tips for checking medications and supplements for hidden gluten:
– Call the manufacturer and ask directly about gluten content.
– Check the ingredient list for any obvious sources of gluten.
– Look for certification labels like “Certified Gluten-Free” or “Gluten-Free Certified by GFCO”.
– Search for consumer guides listing gluten-free brands of supplements.
– Ask your pharmacist to help identify gluten-free options of medications.
– Consider switching to chewable, liquid or gummy medications which are less likely to have gluten fillers.
Taking these steps can help identify hidden gluten and ensure the safety of supplements and medications so those with gluten intolerance can avoid intestinal damage and other problems.
Should you take Benefiber if sensitive to wheat?
For people with a wheat allergy or sensitivity, deciding whether to take Benefiber comes down to these key factors:
1. Ingredient source – While wheat dextrin is gluten-free, it is derived from wheat starch, so the wheat origin remains.
2. Severity of wheat reactions – If you have severe wheat reactions, avoiding all wheat-derived ingredients may be safest. Even wheat dextrin may be a concern.
3. Types of symptoms – Wheat dextrin seems unlikely to cause GI issues seen with gluten intolerance. But it could potentially trigger other wheat allergy symptoms like rash, nasal congestion, or anaphylaxis.
4. Testing and trials – Trying a small amount of Benefiber to see if any wheat allergy symptoms develop can help gauge your individual reaction.
5. Available alternatives – There are fiber supplements made from alternate plants like psyllium, acacia, and orange pulp that may be suitable substitutes.
Talking to your healthcare provider can help decide if avoiding all wheat-based ingredients is necessary for your health or if Benefiber is less likely to be an issue.
Tips for taking Benefiber with gluten intolerance
Here are some tips for those with gluten intolerance who wish to take Benefiber fiber supplement safely:
– Check labeling for any gluten-containing additions or cross-contamination warnings each time you purchase Benefiber, since formulations can change.
– Carefully inspect packaging for damage, leaks or signs that non-gluten-free products were mixed in during manufacturing or transportation.
– Consider calling the manufacturer directly to ask about gluten testing protocols if you have concerns about purity or cross-contamination.
– Start with a small serving like 1/2 teaspoon mixed in water once a day to test tolerance, especially if you are highly sensitive.
– Slowly increase to the full recommended serving size if no issues arise with a small amount. Discontinue use if any concerning symptoms develop.
– Take on an empty stomach at least an hour before or after medications or other supplements to prevent any absorption issues.
– Use plain Benefiber powder; avoid flavors, formulas with added vitamins, or products listing non wheat-dextrin ingredients which may contain gluten.
Exercising reasonable caution with labels, dosing, and ingredients should allow most with gluten intolerance to take gluten-free forms of Benefiber safely. But discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns.
The bottom line
Plain Benefiber powder containing only wheat dextrin fiber is certified gluten-free to less than 10ppm and is considered safe for gluten intolerance. But those with severe gluten sensitivity should use caution and may prefer avoiding wheat-derived ingredients altogether. Checking labels is important as some Benefiber products do contain additional non gluten-free ingredients. Alternatives like psyllium husk or methylcellulose are available for those wishing to avoid all wheat-derived fibers. With proper precautions to avoid gluten exposure from other sources, Benefiber can be a helpful supplement for many with gluten intolerance looking to support regularity and overall health. But discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider, especially if you have experienced reactions to gluten-free products in the past.