health guides
Diarrhoea
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Lactase (Lactose Intolerance) | 6000-9000 IU tablets chewed with a lactose-containing meal or 1000 IU in liquid form added to 8 ounces of milk before drinking. |  [3 stars] If you think you may suffer from lactose intolerance, supplementing with digestive enzyme–containing lactase when drinking or eating milk products may help. |
Multivitamin | Take as directed on label | [3 stars] Diarrhoea-related malabsorption can lead to deficiencies of many vitamins and minerals. For this reason, it makes sense to take a multivitamin-mineral supplement. |
Bovine Colostrum | 10 to 20 grams daily |  [2 stars] Colostrum appears to be useful in treating certain types of infectious diarrhoea. In one study, it significantly reduced diarrhoea and the amount of oral rehydration required. |
Carob | 15 grams daily | [2 stars] Useful for treating diarrhoea in adults, children, and infants, carob is rich in tannins that have an astringent or binding effect on the mucous membranes of the intestinal tract. |
Fibre | Adults: 20 grams daily soluable fibre; for young children: 6.5 grams daily soya fibre | [2 stars] While fibre from dietary or herbal sources is often useful for constipation, it may also play a role in alleviating diarrhoea. |
Glucosamine | 250 mg with morning and evening meals | [2 stars] Some autistic children suffer from chronic diarrhoea. In one study, supplementing with glucosamine eliminated the diarrhoea in five of six children with autism, possibly by blocking the effect of certain dietary components on the intestinal tract. |
Glutamine | 136 mg per pound of body weight | [2 stars] Glutamine appears to be beneficial for diarrhoea by improving the health of the intestinal lining, rather than by affecting the immune system. |
Psyllium | 9 to 30 grams daily | [2 stars] Psyllium seed (an excellent source of fibre) makes stool more solid and can help resolve diarrhoea symptoms. |
Sangre de Drago | Consult a qualified doctor | [2 stars] An extract from stem bark latex of Sangre de drago, has been shown to be effective in treating traveler’s diarrhoea, non-specific diarrhoea, and diarrhoea associated with HIV and AIDS. |
Sangre de Drago (HIV and AIDS Support) | Take under medical supervision: 350 to 700 mg four times per day for seven or more days | [2 stars] An extract from stem bark latex of Sangre de Drago, a herb from the Amazon basin of Peru, has been shown to be effective against diarrhoea associated with HIV and AIDS. |
Tormentil Root Extract (Rotavirus Infection) | Take a liquid herbal extract daily: for the amount, multiply your age by three and take that number of drops | [2 stars] Tormentil root is a herb that has been used for many years in different European folk medicines for treating diarrhoea. |
Barberry | Refer to label instructions |  [1 star] Berberine, a constituent of barbarry, has been shown to improve infectious diarrhoea in some double-blind trials. |
Bilberry | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Bilberry has been used traditionally in Germany for adults and children with diarrhoea. Only dried berries or juice should be used—fresh berries may worsen diarrhoea. |
Blackberry | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Blackberry is an astringent herb traditionally used to treat diarrhoea. |
Bladderwrack | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Alginic acid, a constituent in bladderwrack, is a type of dietary fibre and as a result may help relieve diarrhoea. |
Blueberry | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Blueberry is an astringent herb traditionally used to treat diarrhoea. |
Chamomile | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Typically taken as a tea, chamomile may reduce intestinal cramping and ease the irritation and inflammation associated with diarrhoea. |
Cranesbill | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Cranesbill has been used by a few North American indigenous tribes to treat diarrhoea. The tannins in cranesbill likely account for the anti-diarrhoeal activity. |
Folic Acid | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Folic acid can help repair intestinal lining damage caused by acute diarrhoea. |
Goldenseal | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Due to of its supposed antimicrobial activity, goldenseal has a long history of use for infectious diarrhoea. Its major alkaloid, berberine, has been shown to improve infectious diarrhoea. |
Marshmallow | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Herbs high in mucilage, such as marshmallow, may help reduce the irritation to the walls of the intestinal tract that can occur with diarrhoea. |
Oak | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] A tannin in oak has been shown to inhibit intestinal secretion, which may help resolve diarrhoea. In Germany oak is recommended to treat mild, acute diarrhoea in children. |
Oregon Grape | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, has been shown to improve infectious diarrhoea in some trials. |
Periwinkle | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] European herbalists have used periwinkle for conditions with a watery discharge, such as diarrhoea. |
Red Raspberry | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Red raspberry is an astringent herb traditionally used for diarrhoea. Raspberry leaves are high in tannins and may relieve acute diarrhoea. |
Slippery Elm | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Herbs high in mucilage such as slippery elm may help reduce the irritation to the walls of the intestinal tract that can occur with diarrhoea. |
Sweet Annie | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Sweet annie has been used traditionally to treat infectious diarrhoea and malaria. |
Tylophora | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Tylophora has been used traditionally in the Ayurvedic system for diarrhoea due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. |
Vitamin A | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Only in cases of malabsorption should vitamin A be used to treat diarrhoea, as it has been shown to have no effect or to increase risk of diarrhoea in well-nourished children. |
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.
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