Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been shown to be associated with low vitamin D levels. IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that disrupts the function of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to discomfort and sensitivities. Although the cause of IBS is unknown, dietary factors and stress have been tied to the onset of IBS.
A research team from the University of Sheffield’s Molecular Gastroenterology Research Group have found a link between low vitamin D levels and IBS. Of 51 IBS patients involved in the study, 82 percent showed low levels of vitamin D. Additionally, when the patients reported the impact IBS had on their life, researchers saw that low vitamin D levels also reflect the patient’s perceived quality of life.
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Research lead, Dr Bernard Corfe, said the information is “a potential new insight into the condition and importantly a new way to try to manage it. IBS is a poorly understood condition that impacts severely on the quality of life of sufferers. There is no single known cause and likewise no single known cure. Clinicians and patients currently have to work together and use trial and error to manage the condition, and this may take years with no guarantee of success.”
Vitamin D levels and inflammatory diseases have been well researched previously, but in order to confirm results a larger study must be conducted.
If you are living with IBS, speak with your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels prior to supplementing it.
The findings are published in BMJ Open Gastroenterology.
