guar gum

harma · Post by **harma** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:41 am

I am taking an extra type of vitamin, since two days. Time released vitamin c tablet 500 mg. I have the idea this is something (again) my bowel does not like. The only difference in the ingredients with the other vitamin pills is guar gum. I just wonder could this cause the discomfort in my belly? Does anyone recognize this?

Post by **tex** » Thu May 06, 2010 8:23 am

Hi Harma,

Sorry to hear that the vitamin C tablets are not working correctly for you. A few members have reported that guar gum seems to bother them. However, quite a few more members have reported that they cannot tolerate vitamin C, itself. This is probably due to the fact that in most countries, vitamin C is made from corn, (I'm not sure about the vitamin C sold in The Netherlands, however). Back when I was still reacting, I reacted adversely to both vitamin C made from corn, and even more so to natural vitamin C in citrus fruits. Orange juice, lemon juice, etc., made me sick. They would make me nauseated first, which would be followed by D.

Tex

Ginny · Post by **Ginny** » Thu May 06, 2010 10:38 am

Harma, can't speak for the vitamin C but I found that guar gum (coconut milk) gave me a huge belly ache following in the AM with D. One of the reasons I buy very little processed foods. Ginny

ant · Post by **ant** » Thu May 06, 2010 10:58 am

Dear Harma,

FYI. Guar gum is extracted from the guar bean so I think it is a bit like soya - a legume. Amongst various uses it is often used to thicken coconut milk so I try and buy pure coconut milk without gaur gum added.

Best, Ant

harma · Post by **harma** » Thu May 06, 2010 12:04 pm

Well from now on, I will avoid my vit c tablets. I am also not sure if it guar gum or the vit c. I know guar gum is extracted from a legume, but the quantities in a vitamin pill are so low, that's like eating two or three lentils or beans. I have a small food additive booklet, with all possible side effects of food additives. In here it says as possible side effects for guar gum: nauseous, gas, abdominal cramps. So could be, also in small quantities, since most additives are added in small quantities.

teagirl · Post by **teagirl** » Thu May 06, 2010 7:14 pm

Hi Harma, my GP told me to be careful of guar gum as it is a known bowel irritant and causes pain, bloating, and D. She also said it is used as a treatment for D. This didn't make sense to me so I googled it and found she was right. It's know to cause problems for the digestive system.