Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, generally refers to two specific conditions – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – which are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some people experience IBD as a mild condition; however, for others, it can become more severe with the potential for life-endangering complications. In order to better understand this difficult condition, there are a few simple questions that need to be answered. For example, what are the causes and symptoms one should look out for in order to spot IBD? How can you manage the symptoms? Read on to discover all you need to know.

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What Is IBD Exactly?

IBD is a group of intestinal disorders that cause prolonged inflammation in the digestive tract. There are two main types: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease: A chronic condition characterized by inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. This autoimmune disorder can affect different areas of the gastrointestinal tract and varies greatly in severity among individuals.

Ulcerative colitis: A long-term inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. It is characterized by episodes of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and urgent bowel movements. It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

What Causes IBD To Occur?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurs due to a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immune factors, leading to chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it’s believed that an abnormal immune response to gut microbes in genetically predisposed individuals plays a central role in triggering IBD.

Symptoms Of IBD

Illustration of internal organs is on the woman’s body against the gray background. Business Woman touching stomach painful suffering from enteritis. internal organs of the human body.

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How Can You Manage & Relieve IBD?

There are several different ways IBD can be managed, from lifestyle changes to taking daily nutritional supplements. These methods can have a significant positive impact. They include:

  • Dietary Changes – Focus on foods that reduce intestinal inflammation; avoid those known to trigger flare-ups.
  • Stress Management – Stress exacerbates IBD symptoms, therefore, techniques like meditation and yoga may help.
  • Regular Exercise – Moderate, consistent physical activity is known to improve gut health and well-being in IBD patients.
  • Medication Adherence – Taking prescription medicine can help control inflammation and manage symptoms.
  • Hydration – Drink plenty of water, especially during IBD flare-ups, to prevent dehydration and its symptoms.
  • Avoid Smoking – Smoking has been shown to exacerbate IBD symptoms, especially in Crohn’s disease.
  • Limit Alcohol and Caffeine – Both can irritate the gut and may worsen IBD symptoms, so moderation is key.
  • A Nutrition Plan – Work with a dietitian to identify and eliminate trigger foods while ensuring nutritional needs are met.
  • Regular Check-Ups – Meet regularly with a healthcare provider to monitor the disease and adjust treatment as needed.
  • Probiotics – These beneficial bacteria can be used to create a healthy living environment for the gut microbiota, and may help alleviate the IBD symptoms or even the disorder itself.   
  • Herbal Remedies – Although considered a form of alternative medicine, herbs such as Turmeric and Ginger have shown promising results in new research. 
  • Nutritional Health Supplements – Many times supplements are used to combine a variety of different ingredients that help manage IBD symptoms. They can be combined with alternative dieting strategies, as well as any other IBD treatment in order to get optimal results – see our top recommended supplements for IBD.

Ingredients An Effective IBD Supplement Must Contain

Research helps guide the way in which we understand which key ingredients garner positive results for managing challenging symptoms caused by IBD. A top-quality supplement should contain the following ingredients to ensure you are giving your body the best nutrition to help alleviate IBD suffering. 

  • Fat-soluble vitamins – Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K) can only be absorbed once dissolved in fat. Some patients with IBD have difficulty breaking down fatty foods, and therefore they cannot easily access these vitamins and may become deficient in them.
  • Vitamin B complex – Patients with IBD can suffer from fatigue and other debilitating symptoms. Research points to low levels of B vitamins in patients with this condition as one cause of this. Supplementing with specific B vitamins can help increase their levels in the blood and help improve quality of life.
  • Minerals – Decreased oral intake, malabsorption, and increased loss via the intestines are major causes of mineral deficiencies in IBD sufferers. Therefore, it is important to supplement the body with essential minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron in order to avoid further health complications.
  • Turmeric – This powerful root is used to assist in a wide variety of gastrointestinal issues. It contains Curcumin, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, it has been found to induce the flow of bile, which helps break down fats. Since IBD sufferers have trouble breaking down fatty food, this is especially beneficial. Curcumin can also reduce the secretion of acid from the stomach, helping to protect against injuries along the stomach and intestinal walls.
  • Boswellia – Boswellia has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory and painkiller and has been used to treat chronic inflammatory illnesses, including chronic colitis. Research suggests that Boswellic acids are responsible for the herb’s anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Ginger – Numerous studies show that Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-ulcer effects. Research also shows that it can relieve colitis due to these effects. Recent studies have shown that an imbalance in gut microflora affects the immune system and can play a part in developing IBD. Ginger can have a positive effect on the gut microflora and may thereby contribute to its effectiveness in helping to relieve IBD.
  • BioPerine® – This patented black pepper extract is a bioavailability enhancer added to certain supplements to speed up their absorption in the body.

* Important note: Avoid the use of Boswellia during pregnancy. Always check with a doctor to ensure that any supplement you take is safe for you, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or take regular medication.

Top 5 Supplements For IBD Relief:

#1
Bowel Calm

What Do We Like?

  • Provides vitamins, minerals, and a herbal anti-inflammatory complex.
  • Contains Turmeric standardized to 95% Curcumin
  • Contains Boswellia standardized to 65% Boswellic acid.
  • Contains bioavailable forms of Folate and Vitamin B12.
  • Contains highly absorbable forms of Iron and Calcium
  • Contains a non-irritating form of Magnesium.
  • Includes BioPerine® for increased bioavailability and absorption.
  • Cost-saving purchasing options.
  • 60-day money-back guarantee on both used and unused bottles.*
  • Manufactured in an FDA-approved and cGMP-certified facility.
  • Third-party tested.

The Downside

  • Sells out fast.

Our Takeaway

When looking at the bigger picture of all the IBD products that are available, Bowel Calm really stands out. This manufacturer has done their homework in terms of understanding what a comprehensive formula looks like and what ingredients are beneficial. They have included some excellent essential vitamins and minerals that are often deficient in individuals with IBD, plus it contains a trademarked anti-inflammatory herbal complex to soothe the GI tract. We appreciate the fact that Bowel Calm contains no preservatives and that it was formulated by medical experts and doctors. What’s more, the many positive customer reviews and testimonials confirmed what we already thought – this is an excellent product. If you are searching for a good quality IBD product, then check out Bowel Calm. It is great value for your money, especially if you are looking for long-term intestinal support. Plus, with a 60-day money back guarantee, you are pretty much covered. This is one product that we highly recommend.

#2
AI-5

What Do We Like?

  • Contains anti-inflammatory herbs.
  • Vegan-friendly.
  • Affordable.
  • Comes with a money-back guarantee.*

The Downside

  • Does not include any vitamins or minerals.
  • No mention of the facility having FDA approval or cGMP compliance.

Our Takeaway

The pros about this product are that it has a guarantee and contains anti-inflammatory herbs. However, there are some cons to this product as well. The main concern is that the formula only focuses on fighting inflammation but does not focus on giving users any vitamins or minerals which many IBD sufferers are deficient in. The label lists Vitamin C under the “other ingredients” section and doesn’t specify an amount, meaning it is most likely negligible. The official website doesn’t mention third-party testing, which makes us question the quality of the ingredients. Reviews on third-party sites such as Amazon were mainly positive. Based on the formula and the lack of cGMP compliance and third-party testing, we believe this is a decent product but not the most effective one for relief from IBD.

#3
Forvia

What Do We Like?

  • Contains fat-soluble vitamins and essential minerals.
  • Complies with cGMP guidelines and regulations.
  • Subscription options.
  • Money-back guarantee.*

The Downside

  • Does not include Turmeric, Ginger, or Boswellia.
  • No mention of third-party testing.

Our Takeaway

Forvia is a multivitamin/mineral product that aims to provide nutritional support for those who suffer from gastrointestinal conditions and have a reduced ability to absorb vitamins and minerals from their diet. Our main concern with this product is that it does not include any anti-inflammatory herbs to reduce inflammation in the intestines and protect the lining of the digestive tract. This means that while it targets some symptoms of IBD, it doesn’t address the root of the condition. The second concern is that while the company claims to provide a money-back guarantee, we weren’t able to find any information regarding the terms of the guarantee anywhere on their website. Finally, the lack of third-party testing doesn’t give us confidence regarding the quality and purity of the ingredients in the formula. We advise consumers to look for alternative brands that offer a more comprehensive formula backed by a clear return policy and third-party testing.

#4
ProUcro

What Do We Like?

  • Contains fat-soluble vitamins and essential minerals.
  • Made in the USA.
  • GMP-compliant.

The Downside

  • Does not contain any anti-inflammatory herbs.
  • Does not come with a money-back guarantee.*

Our Takeaway

ProUCRO is a daily multivitamin specially formulated to support nutrient deficiencies in people with IBD. It contains some beneficial vitamins and minerals. The product is also gluten-free, non-GMO, and made in the USA. Unfortunately, there are downsides to note about this product as well. The ingredients do not include any anti-inflammatory herbs that help to protect the intestines. It also contains additives such as Soybean Oil, Caramel, and additional ingredients whose purpose in the product is unclear. The product also does not come with a money-back guarantee, nor did we find a return policy of any kind. The last concern is that we saw no mention of third-party testing to guarantee purity and effectiveness. In conclusion, consumers may want to look for alternative options with more well-rounded formulas, from reputable brands that offer a risk-free guarantee.

#5
Rhizicol

What Do We Like?

  • Contains Ginger and Turmeric.
  • Manufactured in an FDA-registered facility.
  • Vegan-friendly.

The Downside

  • Doesn’t contain essential vitamins or minerals.
  • Serving size is 6 capsules.
  • Does not come with a money-back guarantee.*

Our Takeaway

There are positive aspects to note about this product. It contains both Ginger and Turmeric, which are anti-inflammatory herbs shown to protect the GI tract and help ease IBD symptoms. However, this product does not contain Boswellia, and lacks any vitamins or minerals. Additionally, each daily serving of this product is 6 capsules, which isn’t convenient at all. The reviews on third-party sites such as Amazon were few and very mixed. When taken into consideration together with the lack of a money-back guarantee, it raises concerns regarding efficacy and consumer satisfaction. It also doesn’t show particularly strong confidence of the manufacturer in the product. There are also inconsistencies between the label and the website, with the label claiming a 60-day supply and the website advertising a 30-day supply. Looking at all the information we have about this product, we think that there are better, more reliable options out there that will hopefully get you the results you are looking for.