Diabetes Supplement Also Good for Stomach Problems
By
Natalie Moore
Posted August 6, 2016
- Treat your tummy troubles naturally. Find out more…
- Stay out of the restroom with this supplement
- Discover how this natural solution can ease your stomach and your anxiety.
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Have you ever had one of those “Yikes! I gotta go!” moments?
You know, the kind where your stomach hurts so bad you’re not sure you’ll make it to the restroom in time?
Or worse… you don’t make it to the restroom.
Situations like this are usually the result of one thing — diarrhea.
It’s caused by things like viruses, bacteria, parasites, medication and lactose, a protein found in milk. But frequent diarrhea may also be symptomatic of a much bigger problem like irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.
IBS is a chronic condition that can cause painful (and sometimes embarrassing) symptoms like abdominal pain, frequent bowel movements, colon spasms and constipation.
Fortunately, a recent study shows that there’s a natural solution that may help some IBS sufferers and perhaps folks who just suffer from occasional diarrhea.
One Natural Way to Stay out of the Stall
A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research shows that folks suffering from diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) may benefit from supplementing with berberine.
Berberine is a natural compound derived from plants like Oregon grapes and goldenseal. It’s been previously researched for its ability to combat diabetes, and it’s been shown to be effective at lowering blood sugar levels.
However, in this study, its ability to help combat diarrhea and decrease stomach pain was examined.
All participants in the study had a medically diagnosed case of IBS-D. They were split into two groups. The first group took 200 mg of berberine hydrochloride twice a day. The second group was given 200 mg of vitamin C daily as a placebo. The study’s length was eight weeks.
The participants’ symptoms were assessed through daily questionnaires that gauged the frequencies of diarrhea, urgent bowel movements and abdominal pain. In addition, prior to administering the meds and after the duration of the study, participants were assessed for quality of life, depression and anxiety scale scores and the IBS symptom scores.
Both the berberine and placebo groups experienced a reduction in symptoms during the trial. However, the berberine group experienced significantly lower occurrence of diarrhea against those taking the placebo.
Moreover, the berberine group reported less urgent and less frequent bowel movements starting in the fourth week and continuing through the eighth week.
When it came to abdominal pain, the berberine group saw better results once again.
While both groups reported less abdominal pain through the duration of the trial, the berberine group experienced a major reduction in the frequency of pain.
In fact, the study shows these patients reported a 64.6 percent reduction in pain frequency. This means they experienced less than half of the pain they felt before taking berberine.
And to top things off, patients taking berberine had lower overall IBS symptom, anxiety and depression scores.
It’s thought that berberine can reduce diarrhea due to its ability to enhance the absorption of sodium and water from the intestines. And it may help reduce abdominal pain by activating pain-fighting pathways in the brain.
While this study focused solely on the effects of berberine in folks with IBS-D, it would make sense that berberine may help settle the occasional bout of diarrhea.
With further research, berberine may prove itself as a powerful remedy for IBS, just as it has for diabetes.
If you’re looking for a quality berberine supplement, try the Vitacost brand. Click here to check it out.
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...