Bentonite clay - Bentonite clay is generally used to absorb and eliminate toxins in the digestive tract. For this reason, it is also excellent for addressing diarrhea (1). A product called NovaSil Clay can decrease the bioavailablity of aflatoxins (a food contaminant), and has been shown to be safe for use in humans (2). Many cases of diarrhea are the result of reactions to bacterial endotoxins or irritating substances in the digestive tract, making bentonite clay a useful component in dealing with diarrhea.

Probiotics: Bifidobacteria and lactobacillus - Probiotics are beneficial bacteria (or flora) that reside in the digestive tract and create a healthy gastrointestinal environment. Administration of probioitcs can resolve flora-imbalance related diarrhea. A combination of three strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is effective in treating diarrhea from rotavirus in children, shortening the duration of diarrhea and of intravenous rehydration (3). Clinical trials have also shown that co-administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG significantly reduces the risk of antibiotic associated diarrhea in children and can reduce the duration of diarrhea (4). A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of children at daycare centers supplemented with Bifidobacterium lactis (BB-12) and Lactobacillus reuteri showed fewer and shorter episodes of diarrhea, and improved measures of morbidity (5). Bifidobacteria normally account for 25% of fecal bacteria in adults and 80% in infants, and can prevent or alleviate infectious diarrhea through their effects on the immune system and resistance to colonization by pathogens (6). Bifidobacterium lactis strain Bb 12, added to an acidified infant formula, helps protect against acute diarrhea and symptomatic rotavirus infection (7,8).

Nutritional Yeast: Saccharomyces boulardii - Saccharomyces boulardii can be effective in treating and preventing diarrhea. A clinical study involving administration of Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii to children with persistent diarrhea, reduced the number of depositions and diarrheal duration (9). Saccharomyces is also effective in treating acute diarrhea in children, even reducing hospital stays (10). Patients receiving antibiotics for H. pylori eradiaction (a common cause of gastric ulcers) can benefit from Saccharomyces coadministration, which has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (11). In fact, a meta-analysis of clinical trials concluded that for every 10 patients receiving daily S. boulardii with antibiotics, one fewer will develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea (12).

Activated charcoal - In an acute bacterial or viral infection of the GI tract, taking activated charcoal orally often stops the diarrhea (13). Activated charcoal binds toxins in the digestive tract for elimination. This may explain why patients taking activated charcoal who are also receiving the chemotherapy drug, irinotecan, experience reduced incidence of grade 3 to 4 diarrhea (drug induced) and antidiarrheal medication consumption (14). Activated charcoal can also reduce gas, bloating and abdominal cramps (15).

Soluble Fiber: blond psyllium seed and husk - Fiber, combined with the above ingredients will act as a stool-bulking agent. Although fiber is often used to treat constipation, in smaller doses it decreases the fluidity of the stool. Radiation-induced diarrhea can be effectively treated with psyllium, thereby reducing the severity and incidence (16). Patients also required less antidiarrheal medications. Experimentally induced secretory diarrhea has been successfully treated with psyllium (17). It appears to delay gastric emptying and the production of gaseous fermentation products in the colon (18). Chronic nonspecific diarrhea in children also responds well to psyllium therapy (19).

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