A recent study published by the BMJ Open Gastroenterology discovered a significant association between patient’s vitamin D levels and the severity of their irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

The study, led by Dr Bernard Corfe from the University of Sheffield’s Molecular Gastroenterology Research Group, investigated the association between vitamin D levels and the severity of IBS symptoms- particularly the extent to which IBS affects their quality of life.

The study, which is the first of its kind, found that out of 51 IBS patients tested 82% exhibited insufficient vitamin D levels. Furthermore, the vitamin D status reflected the sufferer’s perceived quality of life, measured by the extent to which they reported the impact on IBS on life.

Dr. Corfe says that the data provide “a potential new insight into the condition and importantly a new way to try to manage it.” To improve symptoms of IBS, researchers advised suffers to take a high-dose vitamin D3 supplement.

“Our work has shown that most IBS sufferers in our trial had insufficient levels of vitamin D. There was an association between the vitamin D status and the sufferer’s perceived quality of life, measured by the extent to which they reported impact on IBS on life,” commented Dr. Corfe.

“It was clear from our findings that many people with IBS should have their vitamin D levels tested, and the data suggests that they may benefit from supplementation with vitamin D.”

Researcher Vicky Grant has suffered from IBS for over 30 years, but she experienced a significant improvement in symptoms following an introduction to a high dose of vitamin D3 supplement approximately five years ago.