Vitamin D could be answer in IBS battle

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating condition which can seriously damage people’s quality of life.

There is no single cause but changes in diet and stress can make symptoms worse. It accounts for as many as one in 10 GP appointments but is rarely talked about because of the stigma attached to it.

Now a team of experts at Sheffield University plan to assess the benefits of Vitamin D in easing symptoms among 100 patients with the condition from South Yorkshire.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the supplement eases symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habits.

Vicky Grant, a researcher at the university, has suffered from the condition for 30 years.

But she has seen a significant improvement in her symptoms after she began taking a high dose of Vitamin D3 supplement.

She said: “The effect was actually quite dramatic.

“I’m not cured, if I stop taking the therapy my symptoms do return but it is proving to be a very effective management strategy.

“I was quite young when my condition started, only 13 years old, and felt embarrassed to talk about bowel symptoms. Often people see IBS as a joke, not a serious illness.”

Researchers are collaborating with the national charity the IBS Network, based in Sheffield, which provides information, advice and support on living with the condition.

To take part in the trial, email [email protected].