Diarrhea:

weight > 200 g/day. Diarrhea is classified into acute (less than 2 weeks), persistent (2 – 4 weeks), and chronic(more than 4 weeks).

Potential causative agents of diarrhea are:

1. Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasites.
2. Inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
4. Food allergies or intolerance.
5. Medications:
   1. Antibiotics.
   2. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
   3. Medications for high blood pressure.
   4. Chemotherapeutic agents.
   5. Antidepressants.
   6. Medications of asthma.
   7. Antacids.
   8. Laxatives.
6. Malabsorption conditions:
   1. Celiac disease.
   2. Lactose intolerance.
   3. Whipple`s disease.
   4. Pancreatic insufficiency.
   5. Liver disease.
7. Endocrine disorders:
   1. Diabetic neuropathy.
   2. Hyperthyroidism.
   3. Addison disease.
8. Gastrointestinal cancers, especially hormone-producing tumors.
9. Consumption of non-absorbable carbohydrates such as sorbitol, lactulose, and polyethylene glycerol.
10. Heavy metal toxicity.
11. Irradiation.
12. Bariatric surgery.
13. Factitial causes: eating disorders.
14. Neurological disease: multiple sclerosis (MS).
15. Fecal impaction.

Nutritional Supports:

Restricted Foods:

1. Dairy products.
2. Saturated fats.
3. Oils.
4. Sugars and sweets: bacteria feed on sugar.
5. Processed foods.
6. Alcohol.
7. Caffeine.
8. Gluten-containing foods.
9. Cola-containing beverages.
10. Mints.
11. Sugar free gums.
12. Prunes.
13. Ice cream.
14. Fructose (in quantities surpassing the GI ability to absorb): Apple juice, pear juice, grapes, honey, dates, figs, and flavored soft drinks.

Recommended Foods:

1. Water: at least 2 – 3 liters a day. Diarrhea dehydrates the body.
2. Vegetables broths and soups.
3. Diluted fruit juices.
4. Whole grains (gluten free).
5. Brown rice.
6. Potatoes.
7. Pasta.
8. Cooked vegetables and fruits.
9. Fruits high in pectin: apricots, pears, apples, guavas, quince, plums, gooseberries, and citrus fruits.
10. Vegetables high in pectin: carrots, and potatoes.
11. Foods high in tannins: blueberries, loganberry, chockberry, cranberry, grapes, persimmon, pomegranate, quince, strawberries, avocado, eggplant, and parsnip. Tannins have astringent, antibacterial, and anti-diarrheal activities.
12. Ginger.
13. Chamomile tea.

Recommended Supplements:

1. Probiotics: a product with minimum 15 – 20 billion organisms per serving.
2. Digestive Enzymes: A full spectrum product.
3. Carbo Powder: 20 – 30 grams a day. Known also as Locust Bean Gum, carbo powder is derived from the seeds of carbo tree and contains tannins that have astringent effect and are useful in diarrhea.
4. Berberine: 500 – 1000 mg a day. It is an alkaloid found in plants such as barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, tree turmeric, and goldthread. Berberine helps with infectious diarrhea.
5. Ginger Root: 500 – 1500 mg a day. The active ingredients in ginger are volatile oils, zingiberene, bisabolene, shogoals, and gingerols. Ginger aids digestion, reduces irritation to the intestinal walls, and has anti-vomiting and anti-nausea activities.
6. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 200 – 300 mg a day. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory flavonoid.
7. Grape Seed Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day.
8. Glutamine: 3000 – 5000 mg a day. Glutamine is a restorative amino acid that is used by the GI tract for fuel and repair.
9. Colostrum: 1000 – 2000 mg a day. It contains immune enhancers and growth factors and helps the GI tract repair damage resulting from diseases and aging.
10. Multivitamins – Multiminerals: A high potency product.
11. Lactase: as instructed on the label. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose (the sugar in milk) and is helpful in people with lactose intolerance.