Vitamin D May Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome I(BS )is a chronic condition characterized by bowel upset. The causes of IBS are unclear, however, a recent study suggests that taking vitamin D supplements may ease symptoms of IBS, including bloating, stomach cramps, and constipation.

For this review, researchers examined data from seven studies that looked at the role of vitamin D in relation to IBS. In the four observational studies included, researchers concluded that a large portion of people with IBS were also vitamin D deficient. The two intervention studies included found that there was an association between improvement in IBS symptom severity scores and quality of life and vitamin D supplementation.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on January 25, 2018, in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Previous studies have associated vitamin D with improved lipid profiles, help with certain allergies, skin protection, bone and blood sugar health and promoting cognitive function and eye health.

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.