Get Relief from IBS With This Essential Vitamin

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common health problem nowadays, affecting almost 30% of the population. Women are more susceptible to suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, but its cause is still unknown. However, having IBS can be a real struggle, and it definitely affects your daily activities, as well as your mood.

Symptoms

Even though the IBS symptoms vary a lot from person to person, there are some main symptoms that are usually experienced by the majority of the patients. These symptoms are abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, excess gas, mucus in the stool. Sometimes, a person can alternatively experience both diarrhea and constipation. The symptoms may be mild, but they are usually present for a long period. Often, while suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, a person will experience worsened symptoms from time to time.

Other symptoms are not gastrointestinal, but they might accompany the signs that have been already mentioned. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you may also experience headaches, anxiety, sleep disorders, fatigue, backaches, sexual problems, and urinary problems.

Possible causes

Even though the causes are still unknown, scientific research reveals some of the potential causes of irritable bowel syndrome, or problems that are directly linked to this syndrome. For example, stress can lead to many of irritable bowel syndrome’s symptoms. Other possible causes are parasite infections, a diet low in dietary fiber, dysbiosis, and food allergies.

Recent studies show that vitamin D deficiency is one of the main factors that triggers the irritable bowel syndrome.

Vitamin D and irritable bowel syndrome

The BMJ Open Gastroenterology has published a study regarding the connection between vitamin D deficiency and IBS. The participants were all patients suffering from this syndrome and the majority of them also had a low level of vitamin D. The patients were split into three groups. The first group received placebo pills, the second one vitamin D supplements and the third one vitamin D and probiotics.

Those who received vitamin D and probiotics combined with vitamin D noticed a remarkable improvement of their problem, as well as an improvement in their overall health and mood.

Other similar studies have proven the same thing about vitamin D: a lack of this vitamin can lead to irritable bowel syndrome or can worsen the symptoms while an appropriate intake of vitamin D helps in healing the condition and improves the overall health.

This is why vitamin D is now recommended for treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Vitamin D sources

The best vitamin D source is sunlight. You are advised to enjoy the sunlight daily, at least a few minutes per day, no matter the season. Early morning sunbathing can do wonders for your vitamin D deficiency, but this is not always an option. However, it is recommended to stay in the sunlight at least 10-15 minutes per day, without sunscreen, in the morning or afternoon.

You should also consider vitamin D supplements, especially during winter. A normal level of vitamin D all year round is essential for the proper functioning of your digestive tract, kidneys, and heart. This vitamin is vital for your bones because calcium cannot be absorbed without vitamin D. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency is also associated with depression and anxiety.