Vitamins and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person. There are people who experience symptoms of diarrhea with their irritable bowel syndrome while others experience constipation. Because of this, vitamins affect those suffering differently. Vitamins generally cause chemical reactions in the stomach and these reactions can either be beneficial or harmful to a person’s IBS. Here are some common effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:


1) Vitamin C — Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin has a laxative effect. People should be careful in taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome as it can cause diarrhea when it reaches the stomach. People already suffering from symptoms of diarrhea should monitor their intake of vitamin C very closely.

Taking this vitamin for IBS may also cause gas and bloating. This occurs when the acid of the vitamin reacts with the alkaline setting of the lower intestinal tract. You can observe this reaction by dropping a couple of Mentos in a glass of diet coke.

2) Calcium — This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can have either a laxative or constipating effect on a person, depending on the type. People suffering from IBS should try to discover what type of calcium is right for them:

a) Calcium carbonate — This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains no magnesium and can relieve symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to diarrhea (IBS-D).

b) Calcium citrate — This type of vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains magnesium and thus, can trigger symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to constipation (IBS-C).

A good advice to follow when taking calcium vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome is to keep the amount at a maximum of 500 mg. in order to prevent triggering symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good idea to take this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome with vitamin D as this helps in the absorption of these nutrients.

3) Iron — This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can be quite constipating. People taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome are also prone to stomach upsets. It is also a known fact that Iron interferes with the absorption of calcium.

Tips in taking vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Try to get balanced doses of your vitamins – When buying supplements, make sure that those supplements deliver the right amounts of vitamins you need. It is important that a certain supplement does not contain a megadose of any vitamin as this could trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Always take your vitamins with food — It is important that you not take your vitamins on an empty stomach. Doing so could increase the discomfort brought about by the chemical reactions caused by the vitamins. This is especially true with acidic vitamins like vitamin C.

3) Consult a pharmacist — Remember that there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. If you are unsure regarding which vitamin supplement to take, you should get help from a pharmacist in finding the mildest vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome.

4) Take separate vitamins separately — Vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome also react in various ways with each other. For the best absorption of nutrients, you should try taking vitamins one type at a time.

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Chewwies
13. March 2019
Chewwies
13. March 2019
Proper care & check on dosage is really important when we intake any supplementary diet Thanks for this informational writ! That has made me clear with precautionaries while i take a particular form of vitamins.

Karen K
16. February 2019
Karen K
16. February 2019
Hi Jane, I have IBS and finally went to a gastro doc. I also have diverticulitis. Same age as you. I've had horrible, emergency episodes. I had an episode that was really, really bad...thought I had to call 911....lasted 20 minutes of intense pain. I'm pretty sure it was brought on by Calcium Citrate Gummy vitamins....Be careful with that. So far, 2 probiotics per day, have really helped me. I take Culturelle. It's been a life saver. I went away for vacation for a week and thought it was going to end up an IBS disaster, but the probiotics saved me. I couldn't believe it....no episodes at all. Take care, KK

Jane
19. October 2018
Jane
19. October 2018
I have had IBS since I was 20 yrs old and now 62! In the last few yrs it has been considerably worse than ever. Suddenly rushing to go to the loo ! So embarrassing and diarrhoea terrible. I have seen a consultant and had the usual colonoscopy for the 4th time in 40 yrs and now the IBS showing that it has got worse and also signs of diverticulitis! I have managed it myself over the years and done quite well but again the consultant told me that it?s trial and error and a Fodmap diet could help me if I liked!!! Never heard of a Fodmap diet but it is the good and bad foods for IBS. I have done my own research and googled Fodmap diet and at first it seemed horrendous but I have persevered and I am SO very much better plus I am taking one probiotic tablet each morning which I also believe has been a saviour for me! Yhe bowels are pretty normal and so far no embarrassing rushes to the loo when I am out and about! I have been doing this now for 4 months. Highly recommend probiotics ( consultant told me works for some and not others)the one I take from Holland and Barrett apparently can at first make you slightly constipated but persevere this will change and the Fodmap foods have taught me so much by eliminating foods I thought were ok for me and obviously not! Best of luck

Bernadette
15. July 2018
Bernadette
15. July 2018
I have to take a muti vitamin for mucular degeration I take e-science I have ibs-d need to take these vitamins what can help

Pandora Fox
15. April 2018
Pandora Fox
15. April 2018
Magnesium is notorious for causing diarrhea. It's the main ingredient in many laxatives.

Pandora Fox
15. April 2018
Pandora Fox
15. April 2018
I tried the Vitamin C Gummies and it did my IBS-D much worse. Stopped taking them and things settled down substantially. Not perfect, but much better.

Mary Clarke
10. February 2018
Mary Clarke
10. February 2018
I have ibs-d. I have recently found out that my multi vitamins are really aggravating my symptoms! I have no gall bladder. I have tried talking to my doctor, got no response. I am so frustrated! When I get blood work my potassium level is high. I have tried everything to make me feel better, nothing is working. I take anti- diarrhea over the counter, but when I need to go somewhere I am so afraid the diarrhea will trigger. Can you please help and let me no what vitamins to take. My doctor told me to drink a lot of water! What kind of help is that? Also is Pure Life Water Okay to drink? There has been times the diarrhea was so bad after 3 or 4 bowl movements I could not control it as it just pored out of me and I messed my self up really bad. Thank You for your time with wanting a vitamin or vitamins to take as I know I can not drink orange juice as I would not want it in the vitamins nor all the other things that can trigger my ibs-d. Sincerely, Mary PS. I read your article and appreciate it very much.

Barbara strows
22. October 2017
Barbara strows
22. October 2017
Hi, I'm in my menopause, my mum said multivitamins would be good for me, but since I've been taking them I've had diarrhoea after my dinner. I haven't taken any for 2 days now, but tonight I had it again! I think I do suffer with ibs, what vitamins would be best for me? Thankyou.

jennifer Cass
31. August 2017
jennifer Cass
31. August 2017
I have IBS, bloating problems for a long time. I could also have food intolerances which i have not been tested for.

Carol M Smith
24. April 2017
Carol M Smith
24. April 2017
My Dr told me to take vitamin D before bed for leg cranps. It's worked great. I take 4000 units. I hope this hrlps. I also struggle with IBS.

Barb
15. March 2017
Barb
15. March 2017
Hi. I don't have IBS, but each mid morning for years! I had a bout of diarrhoea. I stopped taking my multi vitamin and it stopped instantly. There's definitely a connection there!

Hong
15. November 2016
Hong
15. November 2016
I'm also the same problem like you chronic diarrhea ,until now I'm still can't get the solution how to manager it, I hope you can help me for my foods & supplement to consume?

mary delgado
17. October 2016
mary delgado
17. October 2016
The explanation about vitamins have been helpful. I thought I was getting a sickness, but when I suspended the multivitamins I got well. Thank you!

Linda
12. July 2016
Linda
12. July 2016
I want to take CoQ10 to help my immune system along w/ daily vitamins and hope it helps my IBS and help bring down my white blood count of 12

Delores Roberts
3. July 2016
Delores Roberts
3. July 2016
It has occurred to me that the chronic diarrhea I am experiencing in the mornings could be related to the 1200 mg of calcium and magnesium that I take for leg cramps. And I am trying to do as much research as I can before going to my appointment with a gastro specialist. Any comments for me?

Maggie Allen
11. May 2016
Maggie Allen
11. May 2016
Wow, I had no idea that different vitamins for IBS could have such a wide range of effects on you. It's really clear that the balance of vitamins in your diet can affect your symptoms. That's why your point on consulting a pharmacist is really good, especially if you haven't been having a lot of success. In fact, I would probably try consulting a doctor as well, just so that I know that I'm on the right track.

Amy
7. May 2016
Amy
7. May 2016
I don't know what kind you are talking but I was at the store checking out what kind to buy and I checked 3 gummy versions, each contained 2 or 3 vitamins included in this list so I didn't buy any. Hard to find a multiple vitamins without these ingredients included.

Ksthy
6. February 2016
Ksthy
6. February 2016
Can gummy vitms and gummy calicum and gummy vit d affect your IBS. I think mine are

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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