People With IBS Likely to Have Low Vitamin D Levels

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects between 10 and 15% of people living in the west, but researchers are unsure of its exact cause. A recent study suggests that a lot of people who have irritable bowel syndrome may be vitamin D deficient, suggesting that some relief from symptoms may be available for at least a portion of IBS sufferers.

Participants in the study included 51 people with IBS, all of whom were tested for their vitamin D levels. The researchers found that 82% of them were vitamin D deficient. They also found an association between vitamin D levels and the participant’s perceived quality of life, which was measured by how much the IBS impacted their life.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield in the UK conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on December 21, 2015, in BMJ Open Gastroenterology.

Previous studies have associated vitamin D with reducing the risk of skin damage, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, combating diabetes, and improving age related macular degeneration. Additionally, pervious studies have found a connection between vitamin D deficiency and inflammatory bowel disease, adding more evidence that there may be a connection between gut health and vitamin D status.

Vitamin D can be found in milk, fortified cereals, fish, and eggs. Your body also processes vitamin D from the sun but it becomes harder for our bodies to process it as we age. A high quality vitamin D supplement is always a good option if you feel that you’re not getting enough through diet and sun.