Calcium pyruvate and derivatives or formulations thereof can be employed for supporting gut health and lessen inflammations, for example in chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, and irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, the invention relates to the use of Calcium pyruvate preparations for treating inflammatory diseases, especially of the digestive tract of humans and mammalian animals, pets and livestock. The digestive tract includes the oral cavity, the pharynx, the esophagus, and the gastrointestinal tract. In one embodiment, said inflammatory disease is an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In another embodiment, the inflammatory diseases are selected from the group of gingivitis, parodontitis, pharyngitis, esophagitis, gastritis, lymphocytic colitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, duodenitis, and Crohns disease.
