Certain dietary supplements, including supplements providing vitamin B-6, calcium or magnesium, may provide relief for an upset stomach, depending on the cause. However, these supplements may cause dangerous side effects and drug interactions and should only be taken under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. For a chronic or severe upset stomach, visit your doctor to determine the underlying cause.
Calcium
The essential mineral calcium is often used as an antacid, in the form of calcium carbonate, to relieve upset stomach, heartburn and acid indigestion. You can purchase calcium carbonate supplements for an upset stomach over-the-counter and without a prescription. Calcium carbonate supplements are typically sold in the form of a capsule, tablet, chewable tablet or liquid. According to MedlinePlus, calcium carbonate may be taken for upset stomach, as directed, as often as three to four times daily but not for a period longer than two weeks, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
Vitamin B-6
While many vitamin supplements may actually cause upset stomach as a side effect, one vitamin, vitamin B-6, may provide relief from an upset stomach. Specifically, B-6 may be useful in relieving upset stomach caused by nausea during pregnancy. According to a study published by "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand" in 2007, women suffering from nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy experienced significant reductions in both nausea and vomiting after taking B-6. However, the women in the study experienced some side effects, including heartburn and arrhythmia, and a group of women who took the herb ginger instead of B-6 experienced greater relief from stomach upsets than the B-6 group.
Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential mineral that may help relieve certain kinds of stomach upsets. In particular, magnesium supplements are used to relieve constipation -- the most common cause of chronic abdominal pain, according to AskDrSears.com. Magnesium supplements for constipation are available in various forms, including magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate and magnesium citrate. As with calcium, magnesium is dangerous when taken in excess, especially for people with health conditions such as kidney problems, and it may decrease the effectiveness of certain medications. While magnesium supplements are good for relieving stomach upset from constipation, they can also cause other types of stomach upset, including nausea and diarrhea, as a side effect. Eating magnesium-rich foods, such as whole grains, green leafy vegetables, bananas and peanuts, may help relieve constipation and constipation-related stomach pain gently without the risk of side effects.
Considerations
Magnesium, calcium and vitamin B-6 levels in the body are interrelated: magnesium helps regulate calcium levels and B-6 helps regulate magnesium levels. Getting too much or not enough of one of these nutrients may influence another and cause health problems. It's also important to note that while certain dietary supplements may provide relief from mild stomach upsets such as heartburn, constipation or pregnancy-related nausea, you may require prescription medications or other treatments for your upset stomach, depending on the underlying cause.
References
- MedlinePlus; Calcium Carbonate; May 2010
- American Cancer Society; Magnesium Citrate; September 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Magnesium; Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
- "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand"; Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ginger and Vitamin B6 for Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial; P. Chittumma; January 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin B-6; April 2011
- Drugs.com: Multivitamin Side Effects
Member Comments