Are Begin Health Prebiotics Gluten-Free?

Celiac’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 3% of kids in the United States. Currently, the only treatment for Celiac’s disease is a gluten-free diet. When it comes to supplements for kids, parents are rightfully concerned about gluten content, especially if their little ones have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Let's review the ingredients in Begin Health's Growing Up Prebiotics and break down what the research tells us about prebiotics and a gluten-free diet.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein commonly found in wheat, rye and barley. It’s often used as a binding agent that helps food maintain its shape.

Gluten is typically found in foods such as:

• Pasta

• Cereal

• Baked goods

• Crackers

• Cookies

• Breads

• Granola bars

• Meat substitutes

• Sauces including certain salad dressings

Even if you don't eat those foods directly, you may still be consuming gluten because it’s used in a variety of foods that you may not expect and can often be a hidden ingredient.

Ingredients in Growing Up Prebiotics

Begin Health’s Growing Up Prebiotics contains two ingredients:

• Chicory Root Fiber. This type of prebiotic fiber is from the root of the chicory plant, which is naturally gluten and wheat-free. Chicory root fiber contains inulin that supports digestive health by promoting softer stools.

• Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO’s). HMO’s are the third most abundant component of human breast milk and function as a prebiotic to support both immune and digestive health. HMO’s are also naturally free from gluten and wheat.

Growing Up Prebiotics combines both chicory root fiber and HMO’s, both naturally gluten-free ingredients to support softer and more frequent stooling in kids in six weeks with daily, consistent use [1].

Begin’s Third Party Testing Procedures for Gluten and Allergens

The term "gluten-free" signifies that a product contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which is considered safe for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Begin Health's dedication to third-party testing and quality control ensures that Growing Up Prebiotics meet and exceed these guidelines. This is substantiated by rigorous testing protocols and compliance with regulations set by reputable food safety authorities.

For more information regarding Begin Health’s Third-Party Testing procedures, check out our blog here: Begin Health and Third Party Testing.

Research on Prebiotics for Kids with Celiac’s Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to launch an attack on the small intestine when gluten is consumed. Good health is dependent on the balance of good bacteria in the gut microbiome. Incorporating prebiotics and probiotics into a kid’s diet may help those with celiac disease to maintain digestive health by balancing bacterial gut health [2].

Side effects and symptoms of Celiac’s disease may include diarrhea, which can reduce the amount of good gut bacteria in the microbiome. Consuming prebiotics in particular can replenish and boost the amount of overall good gut bacteria such as bifidobacteria to regain digestive balance [3].

References:

[1] Closa-Monasterolo, R., Ferré, N., Castillejo-DeVillasante, G., Luque, V., Gispert-Llauradó, M., Zaragoza-Jordana, M., Theis, S., & Escribano, J. (2016). The use of inulin-type fructans improves stool consistency in constipated children. A randomised clinical trial: pilot study. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 68(5), 587–594. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637486.2016.1263605

[2] de Sousa Moraes LF, Grzeskowiak LM, de Sales Teixeira TF, Gouveia Peluzio Mdo C. Intestinal microbiota and probiotics in celiac disease. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2014 Jul;27(3):482-9. doi: 10.1128/CMR.00106-13. PMID: 24982318; PMCID: PMC4135898.

[3] Ali B, Khan AR. Efficacy of Probiotics in Management of Celiac Disease. Cureus. 2022 Feb 8;14(2):e22031. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22031. PMID: 35340497; PMCID: PMC8912170.