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Among the annoying problems of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS sufferers are dietary requirements. If you have IBS, you need to be choosy about the food that you eat. Fruits and vegetables are recommended when you have IBS, but certain foods, especially oily and spicy foods, can trigger the occurrence of one characteristic symptom of IBS which is diarrhea, and must therefore be avoided at all cost.

Fortunately, there are vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you can take to ease the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you have Vitamin C, calcium, and iron in your medicine cabinet, you can relieve yourself of IBS symptoms when they hit you.

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, in particular, is a natural laxative, and can relieve you of constipation, another classic sign of IBS. However, excessive intake of Vitamin C can also lead to diarrhea and may cause bloating, thus taking it should be regulated and monitored.

It is also good to stock on calcium. Calcium is not only good for your bones it can also relieve constipation and diarrhea when you are having IBS. Calcium carbonate, in particular, has anti-diarrheal properties, while calcium citrate has laxative properties. Whether you are experiencing diarrhea or constipation, calcium can help to make you feel a lot better. Just like, Vitamin C, however, the intake of calcium should also be regulated. The recommended dosage of either preparation is 500 mg or less.

You can also take iron, especially if you are having diarrhea because iron can cause constipation.

Other vitamins that can help:

Treat IBS with Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is Cobalamin. The functions of this vitamin have a lot to do with the correct functioning of the body cells, but more importantly, it helps in relieving the pain that is confined to the gastrointestinal tract.

Vitamin C can help IBS

Adequate amounts of Vitamin C are recommended for people suffering from IBS.

Studies show that people who have high Vitamin C content in their bodies are less prone to developing the symptoms of IBS. This is made possible because Vitamin C is a very good antioxidant.

Vitamin A can help IBS

Foods rich in Vitamin A could also help a person suffering from IBS, and there are quite a lot of them. However, the fruit and vegetable types are the ones that are going to be of most help to the patient.

Research indicates that a person following a near vegetarian diet is less prone to developing IBS. Of all forms of Vitamin A, beta-carotene is most useful.

B Complex Vitamins for IBS

All B complex vitamins, especially folic acid, can help so much in addressing the symptoms and effects of IBS.

Dietary fiber is very important to people with IBS. It ensures them that the digestive processes inside their bodies are always within normal parameters.

While these vitamins and minerals can, indeed, help relieve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is still best to consult your physician before taking any of these. Your physician knows better what your body needs, so always get your doctor's clearance first before you go to the drugstore.