Have you ever suffered from severe diarrhea? This can be an incredibly uncomfortable and inconvenient condition to have, but it doesn’t have to last long if you know what can help relieve the diarrhea symptoms. Thankfully, there are a few supplements that can help relieve diarrhea, like these three natural supplements that have been proven effective and safe in multiple studies in helping to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea.

Are There Supplements One Should Take While Experiencing Or Post Stage Diarrhea?

The good news is that many people experiencing diarrhea are able to take care of it at home. By ensuring that you have plenty of fluids on hand and encouraging your body to maintain a high-fiber diet, many people can get through an episode of diarrhea without much difficulty.

If it becomes necessary to seek medical attention, however, or if you have any questions about your health, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Here are some supplements to consider:

Prebiotics

Gut flora is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients. When these good bacteria levels are high, it aids in digestion and absorption of important vitamins.

A lack of gut flora can lead to digestive disorders, like gas and diarrhea. Prebiotics are fiber supplements that encourage healthy flora growth in your intestines.

By eating prebiotic foods and taking a probiotic supplement, you can stop diarrhea naturally by promoting healthy gut bacteria in your body.

Probiotics

Taking probiotics is a great way to keep your digestive system healthy. We suggest taking a high-quality probiotic like Threelac.

Because digestion and nutrient absorption happen in your gut, you can bolster them by adding more good bacteria. Supplementing with probiotics may help relieve diarrhea as well as other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

Probiotic supplements come in capsules or yogurts; look for those that contain multiple strains of bacteria. If you have IBS, try taking one capsule per day to see if it helps. If not, try eating yogurt containing live cultures once or twice daily until your symptoms subside.

Zinc

Although diarrhea isn’t a disease, people who have it can still feel quite ill. Zinc helps fight inflammation and can help keep your system running smoothly even during bouts of explosive diarrhea.

Look for multivitamins that include 15-30 mg of zinc per serving (check to make sure it is zinc gluconate or citrate). 

Many multivitamins don’t contain enough zinc-you may need to take two if you experience frequent bouts of illness.

If you aren’t already taking a multivitamin, talk to your doctor about whether they are right for you.

Acacia Senegal Gum

The acacia Senegal gum may be helpful for those suffering from chronic diarrhea, according to one study. This product is a dietary fiber source that provides at least 2 grams of soluble and insoluble fibers per 10 grams, explains Yelena Schwimmer (R.D., L.D.N., C.D.E).

It’s important to talk with your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen; so consider consulting with yours before proceeding with anything here, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Guaifenesin Section: Peppermint Oil

Researchers tested more than 300 people with acute diarrhea for two weeks.

Those who took a mixture of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil each day reported fewer symptoms, such as diarrhea, cramping, and bloating.

Peppermint has long been used to relieve stomach pain.

Scientists believe that peppermint relaxes smooth muscles, including those in your intestines. These muscles cause contractions that move food through your gut quickly.

Taking peppermint may slow down movement enough to ease your discomfort. If you have severe diarrhea, it’s best to check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies.

Guaiacum Section: Guaiacum -Study: In a small study published in 2007, scientists found that guaiacum helped ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

People who took guaiacum had less abdominal pain and better stool consistency than those who didn’t take it.

It’s not clear how guaiacum works, but researchers think it might help by reducing inflammation in your digestive tract. If you have IBS or other conditions affecting your digestive system, talk to your doctor before taking any herbal remedies or supplements.

What Does One Lose from the Body During Diarrhea?

In many cases, you can avoid diarrhea by replacing fluids that you lose due to diarrhea. It is important to replace electrolytes and minerals, such as sodium (salt), calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

You need these minerals in your body for muscle contraction and relaxation. Severe diarrhea can result in the loss of too much fluid and electrolytes, leading to a condition called hyponatremia. 

One way to monitor is by checking your weight at home or on a scale before leaving for work or school each day. If you are losing more than 2 pounds per week, it may be time to see a doctor.

Drinking plenty of water will help prevent dehydration. However, if you have been vomiting for more than 24 hours, seek medical attention immediately.

If your symptoms do not improve after 48 hours of treatment with antibiotics and antidiarrheal medications, talk with your doctor about other options.

What Should One Try to Replenish After Diarrhea?

The gut health study in mice, published in Nature Communications, showed that taking probiotics with a type of human milk protein called secretory IgA could help reduce inflammation and prevent excessive weight loss in people infected with rotavirus. 

The researchers think that getting sufficient quantities of secretory IgA may protect infants against severe diarrhea and malnutrition by reducing damage to their intestines, but they note that more research is needed to determine whether it’s safe for babies or adults to take these supplements.

Another option is bovine colostrum. The milk of adult cows does not contain secretory IgA, but colostrum-which is found only in a cow’s first milk after giving birth-does.

Final Thoughts

For mild diarrhea, it’s important to stay hydrated with plenty of water and electrolytes, such as homemade sports drinks or coconut water. You can also help soothe your gut by adding soothing herbs like peppermint and ginger to teas or meals.

If you’re suffering from severe diarrhea that lasts longer than three days, see a doctor; it could be a sign of something more serious (like appendicitis or kidney infection). 

If you’re having more than five loose stools in 24 hours that are accompanied by cramping abdominal pain, fever, bloody stools, or vomiting, seek medical attention right away. This is when you should call 911- you need to get yourself checked out immediately.