Vitamin D Research from 2019 found a strong association between chronic constipation and vitamin D deficiencies. The participants with intestinal disorders that cause constipation had lower levels of vitamin D.
Too much or too little of necessary nutrients, such as vitamin D, can cause significant health problems. That being said, when you intake excess or toxic levels of vitamin D, you may experience constipation, in addition to other digestive problems, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.
Our results have shown that 6 weeks supplementation with Vitamin D improves the symptoms and QOL in patients with IBS. It seems that Vitamin D supplementation improves the IBS characteristics through improving the factors involved in the development of IBS.
Magnesium plays a number of essential roles in your body, and certain forms of this mineral may help with constipation. For example, research has shown that magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium sulfate all improve constipation symptoms.
Vitamin D deficiency, anxiety and depression symptoms are commonly associated with chronic functional constipation induced by intestinal motility disorders. Vitamin D serum levels should be routinely measured in these patients.
Bulk-forming fiber supplements include calcium polycarbophil (Equilactin, Fibercon), methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel), and psyllium (Fiber-Lax, Konsyl, Metamucil), and wheat dextrin (Benefiber). Unlike other laxatives, you can take these every day. They make the stool bigger and softer.
Furthermore, Vitamin D deficiency leads to dysbiosis of gut microbiome and reported to cause severe colitis.
One study including 90 people with IBS found that taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D every two weeks for 6 months led to significant improvements in stomach pain, bloating, gas, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
While the best timing has not been established, scientific data to confirm anecdotal reports that supplementing at night may interfere with sleep is unavailable. Current research suggests you can fit vitamin D into your routine whenever you prefer.
We recommend taking it with a source of quality fat in the morning or when you break your fast. Avoid taking vitamin D in the evening (we'll talk about why below). Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin—meaning it doesn't dissolve in water—your body can most easily absorb it when you take it with food.
Conclusions: Low vitamin D is associated with rotaviral diarrhea. This is the first study in the literature to show this, and this result needs to be repeated in larger controlled clinical studies.
If you're not getting enough vitamin D, a vitamin D deficiency could be the cause of gas and gas-related bloating. In fact, one study showed that people who increased their levels of vitamin D had fewer gastrointestinal issues overall.
The study concluded that vitamin D supplements do not ease symptoms of IBS, but did confirm that a vitamin D deficiency remains widespread amongst people living with IBS which could potentially lead to an increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis in the long-term.
It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
Fatigue. Not sleeping well. Bone pain or achiness. Depression or feelings of sadness.
Bone and lower back pain may be symptoms of inadequate vitamin D levels ( 17 , 18 ). Vitamin D helps maintain bone health by improving your body's absorption of calcium. One study in 98 adults with lower back pain linked lower levels of vitamin D to more severe pain.
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
Laxatives: You can drink a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution or use an over-the counter (OTC) laxative to cleanse your colon. Surgery: If you have severe fecal impaction, your healthcare provider will perform surgery, especially to target symptoms of bleeding due to a tear in your bowel (bowel perforation).
Apples and pears – Containing high levels of fibre, fructose and sorbitol, apples and pears are popular fruits that help you to empty your bowels. Also, apples and pears contain high levels of water content, which helps with digestion and with avoiding constipation. For best results, eat them raw.
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. People who support a water flush for colon cleansing recommend drinking six to eight glasses of lukewarm water per day. Also try eating plenty of foods high in fiber & water content.
Growing evidence has demonstrated that vitamin D has a role in sleep regulation [12]. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can increase risk of sleep disorders and is associated with sleep difficulties, shorter sleep duration, and nocturnal awakenings in children and adults [13,14,15].
Excessive flatulence can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that's difficult to digest. It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Read more about the causes of flatulence.
The effect of equivalent oral doses of vitamin D3 600 IU/day, 4200 IU/week and 18,000 IU/month on vitamin D status was compared in a randomized clinical trial in nursing home residents. A daily dose was more effective than a weekly dose, and a monthly dose was the least effective.
Increased levels of vitamin D and calcium in the body can contribute to several digestive issues like stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea. These can be the signs of other health issues as well, therefore it is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any supplements.