Is vitamin D the key to treating IBS? 82% of sufferers 'are deficient in the sunshine vitamin'
- Scientists found a link between irritable bowel syndrome and vitamin D
- 82% of IBS patients are vitamin D sufficient, their findings revealed
- Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract
- Doctors suggest people with IBS take vitamin D supplements
People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome may not be getting enough sunshine, experts believe.
Scientists from the University of Sheffield found that 82 per cent of irritable bowel syndrome patients have insufficient vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D is most commonly produced when sunlight hits your skin, which kicks off vitamin synthesis.
It is also naturally occurring in a number of foods – including milk and tuna.
The study suggests that vitamin D supplements may help alleviate IBS symptoms.
Scientists revealed that 82 per cent of people with irritable bowel syndrome may be vitamin D deficient. IBS is a 'chronic and debilitating' disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that causes both diarrhea and constipation
Study leader Dr Bernard Corfe, of the university’s molecular gastroenterology research group said: ‘Our work has shown that most IBS suffers in our trial had insufficient levels of vitamin D.
‘There was an association between the Vitamin D status and the sufferer’s perceived quality of life, measured by the extent to which they reported impact on IBS on life.’
IBS is a chronic and debilitating disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, and nearly 15 per cent of the western population are diagnosed sufferers.
IBS affects each patient differently – with some experiencing diarrhea or constipation, or having alternating bowel habits.
Doctors are not sure what causes the condition, but it is known that diet and stress make IBS worse.
Patients with IBS often suffer silently – living with embarrassment because of the nature of the symptoms.
It was clear from our findings that many people with IBS should have their vitamin D levels tested, and the data suggests that they may benefit from supplementation with vitamin D
Dr Bernard Corfe, University of Sheffield
As a result many people live with the condition diagnosed.
Dr Corfe said: ‘IBS is a poorly understood condition which impacts severely on the quality of life of sufferers.
‘There is no single known cause and likewise no single known cure.’
The team of scientists tested 51 patients to examine their vitamin D levels.
Most of the patients were found to be vitamin D deficient.
Dr Corfe said: ‘Our data provide a potential new insight into the condition and importantly a new way to manage it.
‘It was clear from our findings that many people with IBS should have their vitamin D levels tested, and the data suggests that they may benefit from supplementation with vitamin D.
‘As a result of this exploratory study, we’re now able to design and justify a larger and more definitive clinical trial.’
The vitamin has also recently been linked to lowering blood pressure, as well as reducing the risks of heart and kidney disease.
Vitamin D is best known as the vitamin that is produced when sunlight hits your skin. Scientists said people with IBS might benefit from taking vitamin D supplements
Vicky Grant, a researcher, has had IBS for more than 30 years.
She started taking a high-dose of vitamin D3 supplements five years ago – and has seen significant improvement with her symptoms.
Ms Grant said: ‘I read about other IBS patients experiencing success with vitamin D, via the online patient community.
‘I wasn’t really expecting the vitamin D supplements to work as I had tried and failed with so many other treatments.
‘I’m not cured but I have found that supplementation has dramatically improved my IBS.’
The study was published in the journal British Medical Journal Open Gastroenterology.
Foods that naturally contain vitamin D include oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, tinned salmon, herring and kippers. Some foods are fortified with small amounts of vitamin D, including breakfast cereals, infant formula and margarine. There are smaller amounts found in eggs and some red meats, such as duck, goose, pheasant and venison however, the exact amount is unknown. Breast milk also contains vitamin D and mums should make sure they aren’t deficient as this will affect the levels in their milk.
