By Robert Preidt
HealthDay reporter
THURSDAY, Aug 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Taking vitamin D supplements will not improve the painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), British researchers report.
IBS is a chronic digestive disorder that can cause stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Symptoms come and go for some people, but the condition can seriously affect the quality of life for many people.
Previous research has suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and irritable bowel syndrome.
“Our research shows that taking vitamin D at a safe dose did not reduce the severity of IBS symptoms,” said study author Liz Williams, lecturer in human nutrition at the University of Sheffield.
She and her colleagues studied 135 IBS patients, about half of whom took a vitamin D3 oral spray for 12 weeks and the other half took a placebo. Although the vitamin D levels increased in the participants who took the vitamin, there was no improvement in the severity of their IBS symptoms or their quality of life.
The study was published on July 30th in the European Journal of Nutrition.
“Researchers and patient populations have been interested in the potential of high-dose vitamin D for symptomatic relief from IBS, but there have not been many properly controlled studies in the area,” Williams said in a university press release.
Although the supplements didn’t help with IBS, she added that they corrected deficiencies in people with low vitamin D levels.
“This is important for other aspects like bone and muscle health,” said Williams.
Study co-author Bernard Corfe said that in some people with severe irritable bowel syndrome, low vitamin D levels can be due to diet and lifestyle changes.
“Due to the severity of their symptoms, some may feel like they are restricting their outdoor activities due to the anxiety that may be causing their symptoms, or changing their diet to avoid certain foods triggering their symptoms,” said Corfe, professor for Human Food and Health at Newcastle University.
Unfortunately, he added, these coping strategies can be harmful to health and wellbeing, and reduce exposure to valuable sources of vitamin D.
“Given that vitamin D is essential to overall health and well-being, it is still important that people with IBS are tested, treated and seek nutritional advice so it does not affect their long-term health,” Corfe said. who is also an honorary member of the University of Sheffield.
More information
The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders has more about IBS.
SOURCE: University of Sheffield, press release, July 29, 2021
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