Last update
5/17/2025

Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 14 Researches
7.4
USERS' SCORE
Medium or Average
Based on 5 Reviews
6.7
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Softgel
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) (from Lanolin)
50 mcg (2,000 IU)
250%

Top Medical Research Studies

We conducted a thorough investigation into how vitamin D3 supplementation affects diarrhea in young children. The study involved 3,046 infants aged 1 to 11 months living in high-risk areas of Kabul, Afghanistan. They were randomly assigned to receive either six doses of vitamin D3 or a placebo over 18 months.

Our analysis measured instances of diarrhea, defined as having three or more loose stools in a single day. We focused on comparing the time to the first diarrhea episode and the risk of recurring episodes between both groups.

However, the results were quite clear: vitamin D3 supplementation did not lead to any significant reduction in the time before the first episode of diarrhea or in the likelihood of having recurrent diarrhea. The differences observed between the vitamin D3 group and the placebo group were not meaningful.

Despite our expectations, this study suggests that vitamin D3 supplementation doesn't provide the preventive benefits we were hoping for when it comes to diarrhea in this population. We recommend against using similar supplementation under comparable circumstances without further research.

Additional studies in other settings might help in understanding if vitamin D3 could play a beneficial role in preventing diarrhea elsewhere.
We examined how the vitamin D analog TX527 affects diarrhea in a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). In our study, we observed that TX527 significantly improved disease symptoms by reducing both bleeding and diarrhea.

Notably, this analog also enhanced colon length, indicating a positive effect on the health of the intestines. Histological analysis revealed that TX527 helped protect mucosal integrity and reduced immune cell infiltration, which are key factors in IBD.

Furthermore, we found that TX527 led to a decrease in levels of several inflammatory cytokines like IL-1, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in the colonic tissue. This suggests that the treatment not only alleviates the symptoms but also targets the underlying inflammation associated with diarrhea in IBD.

In conclusion, our findings highlight the potential of TX527 as a therapeutic option for managing diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease.
We investigated whether vitamin D3, specifically in the form of synthetic 25-OH-cholecalciferol, could help reduce diarrhea during an acute campylobacter infection. Using a controlled study involving IL-10 mice, we treated one group with vitamin D3 four days before they were infected with the bacteria, while another group received a placebo.

Our findings revealed that while vitamin D3 did not significantly lower the levels of gastrointestinal pathogens, it did lead to fewer instances of diarrhea among the treated mice compared to those receiving the placebo. Additionally, we observed that the vitamin D3 treatment seemed to help protect the mice's intestinal health; it reduced the inflammation and improved cell regeneration in the colonic area.

Interestingly, vitamin D3 also contributed to a lower immune response in the infected mice. There were fewer immune cells and lower levels of inflammatory mediators when compared to the placebo group. Perhaps most importantly, the application of vitamin D3 resulted in a reduced risk of the bacteria spreading from the inflamed intestines to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys and spleen, and helped maintain a healthier intestinal barrier.

In summary, our study suggests that taking synthetic vitamin D3 can have beneficial effects during acute campylobacteriosis, particularly in managing diarrhea and preserving gut health.

Most Useful Reviews

9
Vitamin D importance
A deficiency of vitamin D can lead to gastrointestinal disruptions like belching, bloating, and diarrhea. It's vital to take vitamin D for better health. NOW's vitamin D is a fantastic choice with 240 capsules at 2000 IU.
9
Effective for diarrhea
This supplement is excellent for my stomach troubles and effectively combats diarrhea. After two tablets, I feel relief within about 30 minutes. The quality is perfect, and each tablet is individually wrapped for safety.
0
Too much diarrhea
26 people found this helpful
I started taking 2000 IU of vitamin D and experienced loose stools daily, indicating diarrhoea as a side effect. Switching to 400 IU normalised my stomach issues the very next day, confirming that the higher dose was too much for me.

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 14 Researches
7.4
  • All Researches
9
Vitamin D3 mitigates diarrhea effects
We conducted a study to see how supplementing weaned pigs with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) could help ease diarrhea linked to porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection. Forty-two pigs were divided into six groups and fed different amounts of vitamin D3 for 26 days. On day 22, we introduced the virus to all but one control group, which only received saline.

Our findings were quite striking. We noted that pig weight gain significantly dropped due to the PEDV infection, which also led to severe diarrhea. This infection negatively impacted the pigs' gut health by reducing villous height and increasing crypt depth—a clear indicator of intestinal distress. However, in the group supplemented with the highest level of vitamin D3 (155.5 μg), we observed considerable improvements. Their intestinal damage was significantly less than that of the control group exposed to PEDV.

Furthermore, the vitamin D3 supplementation helped lower the presence of inflammatory markers in the pigs’ systems, suggesting that this vitamin plays a role in modulating the immune response. Overall, our results indicate that adding 25(OH)D to pig diets can be beneficial in reducing diarrhea and supporting gut health in the face of PEDV infection.
We examined how the vitamin D analog TX527 affects diarrhea in a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). In our study, we observed that TX527 significantly improved disease symptoms by reducing both bleeding and diarrhea.

Notably, this analog also enhanced colon length, indicating a positive effect on the health of the intestines. Histological analysis revealed that TX527 helped protect mucosal integrity and reduced immune cell infiltration, which are key factors in IBD.

Furthermore, we found that TX527 led to a decrease in levels of several inflammatory cytokines like IL-1, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in the colonic tissue. This suggests that the treatment not only alleviates the symptoms but also targets the underlying inflammation associated with diarrhea in IBD.

In conclusion, our findings highlight the potential of TX527 as a therapeutic option for managing diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease.
8
Vitamin D alleviates rotavirus diarrhea
We observed that rotavirus infection predominantly affects mature intestinal cells, leading to severe digestive issues, including diarrhea. This research delved into how 1α,25-hydroxyvitamin D (commonly known as vitamin D) might be influential in mitigating these detrimental effects. Various experiments were conducted with IPEC-J2 cells to analyze the impact of rotavirus on cell death and inflammation.

Our findings revealed that rotavirus not only led to cell death but also induced a specific form of cell death called ferroptosis. This situation was characterized by increased reactive oxygen species and decreased mitochondrial activity, factors that can worsen inflammation and damage gut cells. Interestingly, treatment with vitamin D significantly reduced these harmful effects. It appeared to operate through a specific pathway involving key proteins that protect cells from oxidative stress.

In summary, our study suggests that vitamin D has a protective role and inhibits rotavirus-induced cell damage and ferroptosis. By regulating certain cellular pathways, vitamin D may alleviate the intestinal distress caused by rotavirus, offering a potential therapeutic avenue against diarrhea linked to this virus. Overall, this research supports the consideration of vitamin D as a beneficial treatment in managing rotavirus infections and their associated symptoms.
We evaluated the effects of vitamin D3, specifically 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, on the reproductive performance of sows and the health of their piglets, focusing on incidences of diarrhea. In our study, we assessed two experiments involving 320 sows divided into different dietary treatments, including control groups without vitamin D3 or capsaicin (CAP).

The results indicated that sows supplemented with vitamin D3 showed a reduction in diarrhea cases among their piglets compared to those in the control group. In fact, the use of these dietary additives, including CAP, seemed to enhance the overall health of the piglets, which we found particularly important for litter growth.

While it is worth noting that vitamin D3 was combined with capsaicin in the treatment groups, making it challenging to delineate the effects of vitamin D3 alone, our findings directly suggest that including vitamin D3 in sow diets positively contributes to piglet health by lowering the incidence of diarrhea.
8
Vitamin D's effect on diarrhea unclear
We explored how Vitamin D, alongside carbamazepine, affects the body’s defense against Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), a leading cause of severe diarrhea in hospitals. The study examined how Clostridial toxin B (TcdB) impacts macrophage function, which plays a crucial role in our immune response. In particular, researchers looked at whether TcdB reduces the acidity of lysosomes within macrophages, leading to increased inflammation and tissue damage.

Our findings shed light on how restoring lysosomal function with Vitamin D and carbamazepine could help combat this inflammation and damage. We noticed that both treatments were able to mitigate TcdB-induced dysfunction in mice, thereby reducing inflammation and histological harm.

However, it is important to note that while the study provides evidence for the protective role of Vitamin D and carbamazepine in the context of CDI, it does not isolate the effects of Vitamin D alone on diarrhea. This makes it difficult to determine whether Vitamin D3 by itself has a direct impact on reducing diarrhea. Overall, we observed promising results regarding immunity enhancement, but the specific effects on diarrhea require further investigation.

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Medium or Average
Based on 5 Reviews
6.7
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Vitamin D importance
A deficiency of vitamin D can lead to gastrointestinal disruptions like belching, bloating, and diarrhea. It's vital to take vitamin D for better health. NOW's vitamin D is a fantastic choice with 240 capsules at 2000 IU.
9
Effective for diarrhea
This supplement is excellent for my stomach troubles and effectively combats diarrhea. After two tablets, I feel relief within about 30 minutes. The quality is perfect, and each tablet is individually wrapped for safety.
0
Too much diarrhea
26 people found this helpful
I started taking 2000 IU of vitamin D and experienced loose stools daily, indicating diarrhoea as a side effect. Switching to 400 IU normalised my stomach issues the very next day, confirming that the higher dose was too much for me.
7
No diarrhea benefits
1 people found this helpful
I heard that it may help with intestinal leakage. Thankfully, I haven't experienced diarrhea after eating, which I consider a positive outcome. 🌚
7
Vitamin D intake
I take vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with food, especially when sun exposure is low, to avoid deficiencies. Testing for vitamin levels is ideal but costly. Even if I take excess vitamin D, any surplus leads to diarrhea, allowing me to adjust my intake as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

9
Effective for diarrhea
This supplement is excellent for my stomach troubles and effectively combats diarrhea. After two tablets, I feel relief within about 30 minutes. The quality is perfect, and each tablet is individually wrapped for safety.
0
Too much diarrhea
26 people found this helpful
I started taking 2000 IU of vitamin D and experienced loose stools daily, indicating diarrhoea as a side effect. Switching to 400 IU normalised my stomach issues the very next day, confirming that the higher dose was too much for me.
9
Vitamin D importance
A deficiency of vitamin D can lead to gastrointestinal disruptions like belching, bloating, and diarrhea. It's vital to take vitamin D for better health. NOW's vitamin D is a fantastic choice with 240 capsules at 2000 IU.
7
Vitamin D intake
I take vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with food, especially when sun exposure is low, to avoid deficiencies. Testing for vitamin levels is ideal but costly. Even if I take excess vitamin D, any surplus leads to diarrhea, allowing me to adjust my intake as necessary.
8
Vitamin D alleviates rotavirus diarrhea
We observed that rotavirus infection predominantly affects mature intestinal cells, leading to severe digestive issues, including diarrhea. This research delved into how 1α,25-hydroxyvitamin D (commonly known as vitamin D) might be influential in mitigating these detrimental effects. Various experiments were conducted with IPEC-J2 cells to analyze the impact of rotavirus on cell death and inflammation.

Our findings revealed that rotavirus not only led to cell death but also induced a specific form of cell death called ferroptosis. This situation was characterized by increased reactive oxygen species and decreased mitochondrial activity, factors that can worsen inflammation and damage gut cells. Interestingly, treatment with vitamin D significantly reduced these harmful effects. It appeared to operate through a specific pathway involving key proteins that protect cells from oxidative stress.

In summary, our study suggests that vitamin D has a protective role and inhibits rotavirus-induced cell damage and ferroptosis. By regulating certain cellular pathways, vitamin D may alleviate the intestinal distress caused by rotavirus, offering a potential therapeutic avenue against diarrhea linked to this virus. Overall, this research supports the consideration of vitamin D as a beneficial treatment in managing rotavirus infections and their associated symptoms.
7
Vitamin D3 mitigates diarrhea inflammation
We explored how vitamin D3, specifically in its active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, can impact inflammation associated with diarrhea caused by the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in piglets. By conducting a series of experiments using IPEC-J2 cells, we aimed to understand whether vitamin D3 could mitigate the inflammatory response triggered by this virus.

Our findings revealed that as PEDV infection progressed, the levels of certain inflammatory markers rose significantly. However, when we supplemented with vitamin D3, we observed a notable reduction in these inflammatory markers. The results suggest that vitamin D3 not only lessened the inflammatory response but also appeared to influence key signaling pathways involved in inflammation, namely NF-κB and JAK/STAT.

While vitamin D3 showed promise in reducing inflammation, it didn’t significantly affect the replication of the virus itself or the antiviral responses elicited by IFN-α. Moreover, we discovered that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) played a crucial role in mediating these effects; when we silenced VDR, the anti-inflammatory benefits of vitamin D3 diminished. This indicates that vitamin D3 could be a valuable nutritional strategy for reducing intestinal inflammation in piglets suffering from PEDV, although its direct influence on viral replication remains inconclusive.
8
Vitamin D3 aids viral infection response
We investigated how vitamin D3, specifically 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, interacts with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), which is known to cause severe gastrointestinal issues in pigs, including diarrhea. Our focus was to see if vitamin D3 could help in reducing PEDV replication, thereby mitigating its effects on the animals' health.

Through our research, we found that vitamin D3 supplementation diminished PEDV-induced cell damage and apoptosis in pig intestinal epithelial cells. Notably, we observed significant reductions in PEDV gene and protein levels in these cells after treatment with vitamin D3. These findings indicate a potential antiviral effect that warrants further investigation in the context of diarrhea management.

The study also revealed that vitamin D3 appears to help cells move past a phase that the virus exploits to replicate. This movement out of the G0/G1 phase was supported by the treatment of vitamin D3, marking an intriguing potential pathway for enhancing healing from PEDV-related conditions.

While we focused on viral context rather than general diarrhea treatments, the findings suggest that vitamin D3 might play a supportive role against viral infections that cause gastrointestinal distress, such as PEDV. Though more work is needed to see these effects in broader contexts, our study lays an important foundation for further exploration into vitamin D's benefits in viral infections.
7
Vitamin D3 impacts IBS-D treatment
We explored the impact of vitamin D3 supplementation on patients suffering from diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). In a well-structured, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 74 participants between 18 to 65 years old received either 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 or a placebo weekly for nine weeks.

Our focus was on various clinical symptoms, quality of life, and specific biochemical markers like serotonin levels. After the intervention, we observed significant improvements in symptoms severity, overall quality of life, and depression levels among those in the vitamin D group compared to those taking the placebo.

However, some symptoms, particularly abdominal bloating and anxiety, did not show significant changes. Moreover, the levels of serotonin and related markers at the end of the study were also comparable between both groups, indicating that while vitamin D3 did improve certain factors related to IBS-D, it had limited direct effects on diarrhea itself.

Overall, we strongly recommend assessing serum vitamin D levels in individuals with IBS-D, especially those who might be deficient, to potentially enhance their overall well-being and symptom management.
We conducted a thorough investigation into how vitamin D3 supplementation affects diarrhea in young children. The study involved 3,046 infants aged 1 to 11 months living in high-risk areas of Kabul, Afghanistan. They were randomly assigned to receive either six doses of vitamin D3 or a placebo over 18 months.

Our analysis measured instances of diarrhea, defined as having three or more loose stools in a single day. We focused on comparing the time to the first diarrhea episode and the risk of recurring episodes between both groups.

However, the results were quite clear: vitamin D3 supplementation did not lead to any significant reduction in the time before the first episode of diarrhea or in the likelihood of having recurrent diarrhea. The differences observed between the vitamin D3 group and the placebo group were not meaningful.

Despite our expectations, this study suggests that vitamin D3 supplementation doesn't provide the preventive benefits we were hoping for when it comes to diarrhea in this population. We recommend against using similar supplementation under comparable circumstances without further research.

Additional studies in other settings might help in understanding if vitamin D3 could play a beneficial role in preventing diarrhea elsewhere.

References

  1. Zhao Y, Zhu X, Lan Q, Wei Z, Shang P, et al. 1α,25-hydroxyvitamin D alleviated rotavirus infection induced ferroptosis in IPEC-J2 cells by regulating the ATF3-SLC7A11-GPX4 axis. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;283:137484. 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.137484
  2. Dario JGN, de Oliveira ER, de Souza RP, Theodorovicz S, Bernini GC, et al. Capsaicin and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Glycoside: Effects on the Reproductive Performance of Hyper-Prolific Sows. Animals (Basel). 2023;13. 10.3390/ani13172794
  3. Yang J, Chen D, Tian G, Mao X, He J, et al. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Negatively Regulates the Inflammatory Response to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection by Inhibiting NF-κB and JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in IPEC-J2 Porcine Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23. 10.3390/ijms231810603
  4. Chan H, Li Q, Wang X, Liu WY, Hu W, et al. Vitamin D and carbamazepine protect against infection in mice by restoring macrophage lysosome acidification. Autophagy. 2022;18:2050. 10.1080/15548627.2021.2016004
  5. Yang J, Tian G, Chen D, Mao X, He J, et al. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhea virus replication by regulating cell cycle resumption in IPEC-J2 porcine epithelial cells. Microb Pathog. 2021;158:105017. 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105017
  6. Khalighi Sikaroudi M, Mokhtare M, Shidfar F, Janani L, Faghihi Kashani A, et al. Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on clinical symptoms, quality of life, serum serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid, and ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. EXCLI J. 2020;19:652. 10.17179/excli2020-2247
  7. Khalighi Sikaroudi M, Mokhtare M, Janani L, Faghihi Kashani AH, Masoodi M, et al. Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: The Effects on Symptoms Improvement, Serum Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, and Interleukin-6 - A Randomized Clinical Trial. Complement Med Res. 2020;27:302. 10.1159/000506149
  8. Mousavi S, Lobo de Sá FD, Schulzke JD, Bücker R, Bereswill S, et al. Vitamin D in Acute Campylobacteriosis-Results From an Intervention Study Applying a Clinical Induced Enterocolitis Model. Front Immunol. 2019;10:2094. 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02094
  9. Yang J, Tian G, Chen D, Zheng P, Yu J, et al. Dietary 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Supplementation Alleviates Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection by Improving Intestinal Structure and Immune Response in Weaned Pigs. Animals (Basel). 2019;9. 10.3390/ani9090627
  10. Bucak IH, Ozturk AB, Almis H, Cevik MÖ, Tekin M, et al. Is there a relationship between low vitamin D and rotaviral diarrhea?. Pediatr Int. 2016;58:270. 10.1111/ped.12809
  11. Zhang H, Wu H, Liu L, Li H, Shih DQ, et al. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 regulates the development of chronic colitis by modulating both T helper (Th)1 and Th17 activation. APMIS. 2015;123:490. 10.1111/apm.12378
  12. van der Wilden GM, Fagenholz PJ, Velmahos GC, Quraishi SA, Schipper IB, et al. Vitamin D status and severity of Clostridium difficile infections: a prospective cohort study in hospitalized adults. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2015;39:465. 10.1177/0148607113519129
  13. Aluisio AR, Maroof Z, Chandramohan D, Bruce J, Mughal MZ, et al. Vitamin D₃supplementation and childhood diarrhea: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2013;132:e832. 10.1542/peds.2012-3986
  14. Verlinden L, Leyssens C, Beullens I, Marcelis S, Mathieu C, et al. The vitamin D analog TX527 ameliorates disease symptoms in a chemically induced model of inflammatory bowel disease. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2013;136:107. 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.09.017
image