Digestive Wellness: Top Ingredients For Diarrhea Support

Diarrhea, defined as three or more watery or loose stools per day, occurs as a result of reduced water absorption in the bowel and increased water secretion. (15)(16) The condition is typically characterized as acute, persistent, or chronic based on the duration of diarrhea symptoms. Symptoms lasting less than two weeks is characterized as acute, symptoms lasting two to four weeks is characterized as persistent, and symptoms lasting longer than four weeks is characterized as chronic. (15)

With approximately 179 million cases occurring each year, acute diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses in the United States. (1)(15) Diarrhea is also the leading cause of death in children under four years old, particularly in developing countries. (1) Keep reading to learn about what causes diarrhea and the top supplements for relief.

Did you know?
Diarrhea is defined as three or more watery or loose stools per day.

Causes of acute diarrhea

The most common cause of acute diarrhea is viral infection (e.g., norovirus, rotavirus, viral gastroenteritis). Acute diarrhea may also be a result of:

• Bacterial infections, commonly responsible for Traveler’s diarrhea (e.g., E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella)
• Certain medications (e.g., antibiotics, magnesium-containing antacids, certain cancer medications)
• Parasitic infections (e.g., Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium enteritis, Giardia lamblia) (1)(15)(16)(4)

Infectious diarrhea results from injury to the intestinal epithelium, leading to increased intestinal permeability and impaired absorption of water from the intestine. (16)

Causes of chronic diarrhea

While certain infections, particularly those caused by parasites, may result in chronic diarrhea, the condition is caused primarily by non-infectious agents, including:

• Abdominal surgery
• Colon cancer
• Diabetes mellitus
• Digestive tract dysfunction (e.g., Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
• Food allergies and intolerances (e.g., dairy, eggs, soy, cereal grains, seafood, fructose)
• Ischemia of the gut
• Long-term use of certain medications (e.g., antibiotics leading to C. difficile infection, NSAIDs, antacids, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics)
• Polyps
• Radiation therapy (1)(15)(16)

Signs, symptoms, and complications

In addition to passing three or more watery or loose stools per day, individuals with diarrhea may experience:

• Abdominal pain, cramps
• Bloody stools
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Urgency to use the bathroom
• Light-headedness, dizziness
• Loss of control of bowel movements
• Nausea
• Vomiting (1)(15)

In cases of diarrhea, it is important to recognize certain serious complications, including dehydration and malabsorption. Symptoms of dehydration in adults include:

• Decreased skin turgor (when skin is pinched and released, it does not return to normal immediately)
• Fainting, lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Sunken eyes or cheeks
• Thirst, dry mouth
• Urinating less and dark-colored urine (15)

Symptoms of malabsorption in adults include:

• Bloating, gas
• Changes in appetite
• Loose, greasy, foul-smelling bowel movements
• Weight loss (15)

Ingredients for soft stools

While acute diarrhea typically resolves within a few days, anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, are commonly used to address severe diarrhea symptoms. (1)(15) Chronic diarrhea treatment typically depends on the underlying cause. For example, antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial or parasitic infections, while specific medications may be used in cases of Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis. (15) In cases of both acute and chronic diarrhea, replenishing fluid and electrolytes is essential for preventing dehydration and its symptoms. (1)(16)

The dietary supplements outlined below have also demonstrated effectiveness in supporting the treatment of diarrhea.

Probiotics

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host”. (13)(14) Probiotics are typically recommended to help support immune function and/or to address a number of health conditions (14), such as hypercholesterolemia, immunoinflammatory disorders, nosocomial and respiratory tract infections, and diarrheal diseases. (13)

While the exact mechanism of action of probiotics has not been confirmed, a number of possible mechanisms have been suggested, such as:

• Alteration of microbiota composition
• Displacement and inhibition of pathogenic bacteria
• Enhancement of epithelial lining function
• Induction of intestinal epithelial cell µ-opioid and cannabinoid receptors
• Modulation of immune activity and inflammatory mechanisms
• Modulation of the stress response and reduction of visceral hypersensitivity and spinal afferent traffic (22)

While there are a wide variety of commercial probiotic products available, when prescribing probiotics for diarrhea, it’s important to consider that the benefits of probiotics appear to be strain-specific. (13)(14)

Research has shown that probiotics may help prevent or reduce the frequency of diarrhea in conditions such as traveler’s diarrhea and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. (2)(8)(14) The probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans has been shown to decrease stool frequency in diarrhea-associated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). (13) Furthermore, combining Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum has been shown to decrease daily stool frequency. (9)(17)

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are defined as “a nondigestible compound that, through its metabolization by microorganisms in the gut, modulates composition and/or activity of the gut microbiota, thus conferring a beneficial physiologic effect on the host”. (3) Prebiotics are essentially carbohydrate compounds that meets the following unique criteria:

• Fermentation by intestinal microbes
• Resistance to gastric acidity, enzyme hydrolysis, and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
• Selective stimulation of growth and/or activity of intestinal microbes conferring health benefits to the host (19)(20)

Prebiotic intake may be beneficial in a number of health conditions, particularly those related to gastrointestinal health, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), constipation, and diarrhea. (12) They can be obtained in supplement form or through a number of dietary sources, such as asparagus, chicory, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, soybeans, oats, onions, and wheat. (20)

Prebiotics, specifically oligofructose, have been shown to reduce relapse of diarrhea in C-difficile patients. (11) Additional research has demonstrated that Galacto-oligosaccharide, a type of prebiotic, may help prevent the incidence of traveler’s diarrhea (6)

Learn more about prebiotics and their clinical applications.

Pectin

Pectin, a soluble dietary fiber with prebiotic properties, is a mixture of polysaccharides that constitutes approximately 35% of fruit cell walls. (7) Pectin is found naturally in certain foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, potatoes, and sugar beets. (5) Commercially, pectin, derived primarily from citrus peel and apple pomace, is commonly used as a gelling-agent in jams and jellies and as a stabilizer in milk beverages and fruit juices. (21) Pectin has been shown to promote a favorable anti-inflammatory microbiota profile (7) and delay gastric emptying. (23)

Pectin balances the microflora and decreases systemic inflammation, which may improve diarrhea-associated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). (24) Research has also shown that pectin can reduce the frequency of vomiting, stool frequency, and diarrheal duration in children. (18) Furthermore, fibers and prebiotics may help reduce diarrhea in patients receiving enteral nutrition. (10)

The bottom line

Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and pectin has been shown to be effective in preventing and addressing symptoms of diarrhea. A protocol using natural supplements can be used therapeutically on its own or as an adjunct to existing treatment. When recommending nutrients or botanicals as an adjunct to treatment, be sure to check for possible interactions with pharmaceutical medications to prevent possible negative health outcomes in patients. If you’re a patient, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider to find out whether these supplements are right for your wellness plan.