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Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Traveler's Diarrhea

Traveler's diarrhea is a gut illness, usually caused by bacteria such as E. coli from contaminated food or water, that irritates the intestine and brings loose, frequent stools. The evidence is strongest for Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast, and for oral rehydration salts, which replace lost fluids. Evidence for the rest is thinner: a small study of 90 people found colostrum eased abdominal pain, while berberine and charcoal remain limited.

Supplements studied
1
Graded outcomes
1
Trials
2
People studied
110

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

1 supplement

Colostrum: outcomes studied for Traveler's Diarrhea
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Abdominal Pain

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect90 people
Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)3 studies130 people
Intestinal ParasitesImproves (the measure goes up)2 studies110 people

Key findings

  • Abdominal PainColostrumImproves (the measure goes down)

The Traveler's Diarrhea Prevention and Treatment protocol

2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements

  • Saccharomyces boulardii250–500 mg (5–10 billion CFU) daily, starting before travel and continuing during trip
  • Lactobacillus GG10–20 billion CFU daily during travel

See the full protocol

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Studies cited

37 studies from PubMed

  1. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on immune variables in highly trained cyclistsJ Appl Physiol, 1985 · PMID 17095643
  2. IGF-I, IgA, and IgG responses to bovine colostrum supplementation during trainingJ Appl Physiol, 1985 · PMID 12133885
  3. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgA during trainingJ Appl Physiol, 1985 · PMID 9338422
  4. Randomized control trials using a tablet formulation of hyperimmune bovine colostrum to prevent diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in volunteersScand J Gastroenterol · PMID 21526980
  5. Protection by milk immunoglobulin concentrate against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coliN Engl J Med · PMID 3283555
  6. Dose effects of oral bovine colostrum on physical work capacity in cyclistsMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 12131260
  7. The influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in highly trained cyclistsBr J Sports Med · PMID 16825268
  8. The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletesAm J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol · PMID 21148400
  9. Bovine colostrum supplementation during running training increases intestinal permeabilityNutrients · PMID 22253980
  10. Bovine colostrum supplementation during endurance running training improves recovery, but not performanceJ Sci Med Sport · PMID 12188088
  11. Bovine colostrum supplementation's lack of effect on immune variables during short-term intense exercise in well-trained athletesInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 21558575
  12. Protein metabolism and strength performance after bovine colostrum supplementationAmino Acids · PMID 15789141
  13. The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and womenNutrition · PMID 11312068
  14. Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on the composition of resistance trained and untrained limbs in healthy young menEur J Appl Physiol · PMID 14504943
  15. Effect of bovine colostrum on anaerobic exercise performance and plasma insulin-like growth factor IJ Sports Sci · PMID 12848392
  16. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in elite field hockey playersInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 12500989
  17. Oral bovine colostrum supplementation enhances buffer capacity but not rowing performance in elite female rowersInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 12432178
  18. Bovine colostrum supplementation does not affect plasma buffer capacity or haemoglobin content in elite female rowersEur J Appl Physiol · PMID 14685867
  19. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary IgA in distance runnersInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 16676703
  20. Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on respiratory tract mucosal defenses in swimmersInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 20601740
  21. Modulation of human humoral immune response through orally administered bovine colostrumFEMS Immunol Med Microbiol · PMID 11549415
  22. Effect of a mixture of micronutrients, but not of bovine colostrum concentrate, on immune function parameters in healthy volunteers: a randomized placebo-controlled studyNutr J · PMID 17118191
  23. A novel extract from bovine colostrum whey supports innate immune functions. II. Rapid changes in cellular immune function in humansPrev Med · PMID 22285946
  24. Lack of prophylactic efficacy of an enteric-coated bovine hyperimmune milk product against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenge administered during a standard mealJ Infect Dis · PMID 10558970
  25. ColoPlus, a new product based on bovine colostrum, alleviates HIV-associated diarrhoeaScand J Gastroenterol · PMID 16716966
  26. Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trialIndian J Gastroenterol · PMID 22161540
  27. Treatment of severe diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum with oral bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in patients with AIDSJ Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol · PMID 8948373
  28. Treatment of diarrhoea in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with immunoglobulins from bovine colostrumClin Investig · PMID 1392428
  29. Intensification of antiretroviral therapy with raltegravir or addition of hyperimmune bovine colostrum in HIV-infected patients with suboptimal CD4+ T-cell response: a randomized controlled trialJ Infect Dis · PMID 21930607
  30. Randomised controlled trial of colostrum to improve intestinal function in patients with short bowel syndromeEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 22828734
  31. Health-promoting effects of bovine colostrum in Type 2 diabetic patients can reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and ketonesJ Nutr Biochem · PMID 18602824
  32. The effect of bovine colostrum on viral upper respiratory tract infections in children with immunoglobulin A deficiencyClin Respir J · PMID 21801330
  33. Concentrated bovine colostrum protein supplementation reduces the incidence of self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in adult malesEur J Nutr · PMID 12923655
  34. Use of the 'nutriceutical', bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial studyAliment Pharmacol Ther · PMID 12390100
  35. A pilot study: bovine colostrum supplementation and hormonal and autonomic responses to competitive cyclingJ Sports Med Phys Fitness · PMID 23903529
  36. Co-administration of the health food supplement, bovine colostrum, reduces the acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinal permeabilityClin Sci · PMID 11352778
  37. [Do colostrum tablets have a symptomatic effect on sore throat?]Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen · PMID 15608761