Does Vitamin C Help Food Poisoning

Does Vitamin C Help Food Poisoning

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Food poisoning warning signs typically show a day or two after eating the contaminated food, and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. Most people will recover within a week, but that can feel like forever when you're ill. To minimise the severity of food poisoning and help your body recover quickly, simple dietary adjustments and targeted supplements may help. Registered nutritional therapist and digestive health expert Kym Lang from Enterosgel offered Express.co.uk her recommendations.

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Some people find that taking ginger tablets keeps nausea under control during an episode of food poisoning

Kym Lang from Enterosgel

Ginger tablets

Some people find that taking ginger tablets keeps nausea under control during an episode of food poisoning, noted Kym.

She added: "While results in research studies are mixed, ginger tablets are a safe one-off remedy worth trying – take one tablet two or three times a day while you're feeling nauseous, and see if it helps.

"It's important not to take any herbal supplement long term, as we don't know much about any lasting side effects. If you're too nauseous to swallow a capsule, suck on ginger sweets or put slices of fresh ginger and lemon in hot water and drink."

Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria that live in your gut and promote healthy digestion.

A review of research showed that taking a probiotic supplement can reduce the duration of infectious diarrhoea by up to 30 hours.

Kym said: "A daily probiotic may also help restore your gut's beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn will stimulate your immune system – giving your body the best chance in future to ward off, or recover from, infection.

"Start taking a probiotic as soon as food poisoning is apparent, or if you suspect it. When you feel able to eat again, give your good gut bacteria a further helping hand by having a small pot of live natural yoghurt each day."

Best supplements for food poisoning: Four remedies could aid a quick recovery (Image: GETTY)

Oral rehydration treatment

When you have acute diarrhoea you're at risk of losing fluids, along with essential salts and minerals known as electrolytes, warned Kym.

She explained: "This can lead to severe dehydration if you're not careful.

"Oral rehydration treatments replace lost fluids and electrolytes and provide glucose for energy, with amounts carefully balanced to the body's needs. Dissolve one sachet in a glass of water and drink it each time you have a loose stool. Don't try to rehydrate with cola, juice, tea, coffee or sports drinks, as caffeine and sugar can make diarrhoea worse.

"Make sure you take an oral rehydration treatment alongside any other supplements or dietary changes to manage food poisoning."

Intestinal adsorbents

Most over-the-counter treatments against diarrhoea just slow down bowel movements, with the toxin that caused food poisoning remaining in the digestive tract, advised Kym, but she recommends Enterosgel.

She said: "This organic gel physically binds to toxins from bacteria like E. coli and norovirus that cause food poisoning, removing them naturally through the stool. It's drug-free and gentle, making it suitable for all members of the family.

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Best supplements for food poisoning: Simple dietary adjustments may help you recover from symptoms (Image: GETTY)

Best supplements for food poisoning: Some people find ginger tablets keep nausea under control (Image: GETTY)

"Stir a sachet of Enterosgel into a glass of water and drink after each bowel movement. Make sure you also drink plenty of fluids across the day."

Dietary changes

It can also help to adjust your diet temporarily while you have food poisoning, and the BRAT diet is commonly recommended.

Kym explained: "It stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, all bland foods that are easy for your gut to digest.

"You could also try cooked potatoes, crackers, porridge or chicken soup. Eat small amounts when you feel up to it, avoid spicy, rich or fatty meals and keep hydrated with sips of water.

"The body's production of lactase, the enzyme which breaks down lactose in dairy products, is often reduced during food poisoning. So it may help to avoid milk and yoghurt for a few days during recovery.

"When your appetite is back, introduce small amounts of lean protein like scrambled eggs or skinless chicken breast, and cooked vegetables. This will give you energy and help return your digestive system to normal."

The NHS advises the most important thing to remember with food poisoning is to have plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

You should also stay at home and get plenty of rest, eat when you feel able to, and take paracetamol if you're in discomfort.

One common culprit of food poisoning is re-heating rice. There are certain steps you should take to make sure it's safe to eat.

Does Vitamin C Help Food Poisoning

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1073254/best-supplements-food-poisoning-ginger-tablets-probiotics-rehydration-treatment