VITAMIN B-6 DEFICIENCY TIED TO IBS

Abdominal cramps?  Bloating? Gas? Diarrhea or Constipation? If you suffer from these discomforts you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common digestive disorder. IBS symptoms usually first occur before the age of 35, and more women than men have IBS. And while the exact cause of IBS is unknown, checking for food allergies and sensitivities can be helpful in treating IBS, and often patients find relief in avoiding certain trigger foods. Now researchers in Norway have also found a link between IBS and Vitamin B6 deficiency.

The study suggests that increasing the daily consumption of vitamin B6 can help IBS. Vitamin B6 can be found in whole grains, watermelon, spinach, broccoli, bananas, acorn squash, avocados, poultry, and fish.  Also, it should be mentioned that often patients with IBS don’t digest grains very well since they can be hard to digest. So while whole grains contain B vitamins, if you react negatively to them, just get your B vitamins from another source.

If you suffer from IBS or other digestive problems, feel free to discuss them with me at your next consultation.

My thanks to my professional colleague Dr. Liesa Harte, MD,  for sharing this valuable information.

Yours in health,

Dr. Francis Gonzalez, ND