Foods/Vitamins that help crohns?

[KWalker]

I tried doing the search but didn't have much luck so I thought I'd ask and see if there are any known foods or vitamins/OTC probiotics that actually help people with crohns. I'm not talking foods that don't give people problems but foods that can help the gut or help repair the G.I. tract. Has anyone ever heard of any?

 

[momofzach]

Hi! I am new to the forum, however have had Crohn's disease for about 17 years. I also do not take any medication. I have a wonder OB?GYN who has become certified recently in holistic medicine, and has lead me down a path that works for me. I take Serovera Amp 500, 3 capsules each morning. I also take Zymogen Probiomax daily DF, 30 billion CFU's, about an hour later. Instead of breakfast, I drink one serving of Metagenics Ultrainflamx 360, which is full of vitamins and made from rice protien. Then before bed I drink Vemma juice, which is a vitamin juice drink. I take Calcium+D+mag, B-50 complex and Ginkoba. That's it! I am at a normal weight, I have a flare about once a year, usually related to stress. I am back to my old self within a week. I eat whatever I want, though I don't like fast food. I only avoid Onions(my biggest offender), mushrooms and peppers, and super spicy foods. My GI thinks I should be on Remicade, but I think I will wait as long as possible since I do so well. I exercise when I feel good. I am 41 years old, and nobody would even think I was sick. Hope this helps!

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

My mom mentioned hearing on a radio talk that papaya and avacados may help with Crohn's. She said she heard a few other things, but couldn't remember. I haven't tried it myself. But, might look into seeing if I can find some papaya to try from work. Here's a website I found that might be interesting. Good luck. Lisa

www.livestrong.com/article/151797-benefits-of-papaya-enzymes

 

[KWalker]

Cross-stitch-gal : I have also heard that papaya and avacados can help with crohns although I've never personally tried it. I could be very wrong but I think I also heard bananas were helpful as well

Momofzach : first of welcome! Its nice to meet somebody else who isn't taking meds for crohns. I'm actually pretty well in the same position as you. I can eat whatever I want, but *try* to stay away from fast food mainly because they're so full of grease and make anyone feel like crap after eating. I too get a few days out of the year where I feel like crap but like a flu, I just get some rest and it goes back to normal without needing meds. Also like you, my doctor wants me to go on Imuran but I'd rather continue without for now. My father in law is actually the same way. He has crohns as well and doesn't take meds and only feels the effects of crohns for a few days out of the year.


Where do you buy those drinks that you take? Do you feel they work?

 

[beefcake]

The problem is,we are all different,what works with someone,could give a flair up to somebody else !
It's not what you should eat,it's what you shouldn't eat !!

 

[Beach]

I've had good luck eating a paleo diet, plus taking a few supplements - vitamin D3, vitamin K2, fish oil, krill oil, kelp, curcumin. Doing this hasn't cured me, but it has cut down on the symptoms of my IBD considerably.

Of late I've been writing a food journal and seem to be making progress in finding troublesome foods. Of late I even find myself well to the gut some days. I'm hoping that is a trend that will continue.

Recall this testimonial write up on Dr. Cannell's sight about vitamin D3 and Crohn's

"Mailbag: vitamin D and Crohn’s"

http://blog.vitamindcouncil.org/2011/10/22/mailbag-vitamin-d-and-crohns/

I had Crohn’s Disease for 10 years, from 2000 – 2010. I suffered frequent relapses over the years including two stints in hospital. I was on many types of medication. I found that diet had no role in this disease so gave up on that quite early. Yeah I tried them all, no wheat, cut out caffeine, cut out certain foods and spices, but this did not make a difference at all.

After Melbourne had it coldest and wettest winter in many years I had a bad relapse in August last year. Prior to this, I was in remission with some signs of Crohn’s disease but nothing serious. However, as the winter progressed, the worse my Crohn’s became and I ended up in hospital. Blood test showed I was extremely low in Vitamin D and doctors put me on 3000 IU per day as I was on steroids. It suddenly occurred to me why I had Crohn’s and all the patterns of this disease fitted the vitamin D theory in this disease.

Most of my relapses occurred towards of winter.
I work indoors with little exposure to sunlight especially in winter.
I played lawn bowls in summer and my Crohn’s was less active during this period.
Exception this was during the summer when I started on Imuran, which increased sensitivity to sunlight so I avoided the sun, and splash sun-cream all over.
I have fair skin and easily got sun burnt so I rarely ventured into the sun.
Could Crohn’s disease be caused by vitamin D deficiency? Was my low vitamin D at end of winter the cause of Crohn’s? This brought back memories of a quote my gastrologist said to me. The quote was “Crohn’s appears to be most active in spring for most people and could be due to allergens” but he was very unsure and had no concrete evidence to support his theory.


A study found that low vitamin D levels were associated with exacerbated cases of Crohn's disease.

After I came out from hospital, I threw away the 6-mp and just stayed on the Vitamin D and weaned myself off the prednisolone over the following 8 weeks. To my surprise, I noticed that my Crohn’s was starting to disappear and my bowels were coming back to normal. My energy levels were increasing and I was less tired. I noticed that my skin’s legions were clearing up also. After approximately 6 months on vitamin D at 3000 IU per day my Crohn’s had completely disappeared and the best thing of all for the first time in 10 years I had normal health.

I even surprised my gastrologist who was skeptical at first but after examining me and reviewing the blood tests he realized I had no signs at all of Crohn’s disease, I could see his amazement in his eyes and I told him about the Vitamin D. He told me not to come back unless I had a relapse. So far, so good. It’s been almost 12 months and still no signs of Crohn’s disease. I thank vitamin D.

 

[KWalker]

Thanks for the replies guys. I know about the safe/unsafe foods and I'm not looking to change my diet anytime soon but that's really interesting about the Vitamin D Beach. With my current job I'm getting a ton of sun but I wonder if I threw some vitamin D supplements on top if it would be even better. Like there are vitamins people should be getting anyways, I'm sure there has to be some that could really benefit crohns patients.

Has anyone heard about Acai berries and crohns? I've heard some mixed input about whether or not they help with crohns as well.. I was also reading about almond milk too but the same thing goes for that.

I was just reading a little ad about foods that are "anti-inflammatory foods". Any input on that?

 

[Beach]

Taking some vitamin D3 should help. Chances are being in Canada, and I'm guessing well dressed and covered up while outside, your vitamin D levels are low. The best way to find out what levels are is to test D3 levels. Your hospital can arrange this. There are also home D3 testing kits now available. I've bought kits from:

"Vitamin D Home Blood Test Kit"
https://shop.trackyourplaque.com/Product/2/vitamin-d-test.aspx

&

"Order Test Kits"
http://www.zrtlab.com/vitamindcouncil/

I didn't mention this supplement as something I take since taking too much can have a laxative effect. Magnesium can be helpful in lowering inflammation. What I do to avoid the diarrhea effect is sip magnesium water through the day.

From Dr. Eades blog ~

"Magnesium and inflammation"

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/magnesium-and-inflammation/

 

[KWalker]

Although I'm in Canada, I'm pretty central in Ontario (Niagara/Toronto area) which really doesn't see that much snow or much less than very warm days. We just had a week of average 90 degree weather. I work at a car dealership so I'm always walking around outside to get/drop off cars and when were not busy we go out and clean the lot. In the summer wearing shorts and a t shirt. I get quite the sunburns lol. But yes, I see what you mean though. I'm sure more couldn't hurt.

I've never heard of that magnesium water. How does it taste/is it expensive? When you say sip on it through the day, are you talking like a water bottle or a 2L? Do you find it makes bm's more formed or does it just make them worse if you take too much

 

[momofzach]

Yes, I have been taking the Ultrainflamx 360 for a year now, and swear by it! The Zymogen has been really good too...the zemma has only been a few weeks, but by and far I feel like the natural stuff is better for ME, not that it is right for everyone. I buy the Zymogen on Amazon, the Zemma on Ebay, and DNGVITAMINS.COM usually has the best deal on Ultrainflamx, although once I found it cheaper on Amazon. I gained 12 pounds in a year on that, I contribute it most to my overall health at this point. I will let you know if I get any more pointers from my holistic MD

 

[momofzach]

One more note, I almost always have a flare-up in the spring( I have severe pollen allergies), and I suffer from critically low vitamin D levels in the winter, that I end up taking several months of Rx-strength vitamin D for...hmmm... there is something to this,huh?

 

[Beach]

I make my own magnesium water. It's cheap that way. What I do is mix two table spoons of Milk of Magnesia, the constipation relief over the counter product, into a liter of water. (Magnesium is the active ingredient.) Then when I drink a glass of water with a meal, I'll add a little of the magnesium water into my glass. I haven't experienced any problems taking sips of magnesium this way.

I've seen flavored magnesium packets sold in health stores here. And magnesium tablets are a common product sold in stores. I can testify that the magnesium tablets can clean you out! Magnesium citrus tablets did a number on me a few years ago. I should add though that there are different forms of magnesium sold, with some forms causing less to no gut issues from what I've read. Since I've found what works for me, I haven't done experimentation with the different forms of magnesium sold.

 

[Beach]

One more note, I almost always have a flare-up in the spring( I have severe pollen allergies), and I suffer from critically low vitamin D levels in the winter, that I end up taking several months of Rx-strength vitamin D for...hmmm... there is something to this,huh?

I think so, at least believe that vitamin D3 has helped improve my health. I'm pretty good at quoting articles, and seem to be on a roll tonight! Not to stop now, there was a write up about allergies in Dr. Cannell's blog sight recently that might be of interest.

"Dear Dr. Cannell: Allergies"

http://blog.vitamindcouncil.org/2012/05/29/dear-dr-cannell-allergies/

snippet from his piece:

Dear Dr. Cannell:

I would like to request that you add allergies to your list of maladies associated with Vitamin D. I did not have issues with allergies as a younger adult, but after menopause, I started to suffer from springtime allergies and mouth allergies from orchard fruits like apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, nectarines, figs, etc. I saw an allergist who diagnosed a birch tree allergy as being responsible for both my seasonal allergy and my mouth allergy.

For ten years, I have suffered with seasonal allergies and experience hives every time I accidentally ingest apple cider vinegar or some other fruit product in a prepared food. Three years ago, I started taking vitamin D supplements after a vitamin D test showed a low level of 8 ng/ml. I started taking 2500 IU of vitamin D daily and over two years my tested levels improved to around 30 ng/ml. This winter I started taking 5000 IU of vitamin D once a week plus 2500 IU per day. By March, my tested levels were 50 ng/ml. This year I have had no problem with seasonal allergies, despite the fact that everyone around me is saying this is the worst allergy season they can remember.

Thanks for all you do. I understand that you do this full time now, trying to spread the word about vitamin D. You certainly helped me, thank you.

Mary, Wisconsin...

 

[momofzach]

Thanks, that is so interesting, I will definitely have my vitamin D levels checked regularly in fall and winter, mine was 6 last year, and I wondered why I felt so bad! I love the sunshine, so summers are not a problem...

 

[hugh]

Clinical trial: vitamin D3 treatment in Crohn’s disease - a
randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...9G_hc_G-sYxfpi-Xw&sig2=6cHiuHnXJN_bWCUcrVKm1A
Conclusion: Oral supplementation with 1,200 IE vitamin D3 significantly increased serum
vitamin D levels and insignificantly reduced the risk of relapse from 29% to 13%, (p= 0.06).

 

[Beach]

Thanks, that is so interesting, I will definitely have my vitamin D levels checked regularly in fall and winter, mine was 6 last year, and I wondered why I felt so bad! I love the sunshine, so summers are not a problem...

Not to over do it with the vitamin D articles, but wanted to add also that, while sunshine is the best, when supplementing you will find that D3 is best. The prescription form of vitamin D is D2, which is the plant form of vitamin D. If a vegetarian or vegan D2 is probably what you will want. But otherwise, the animal form of vitamin D, D3 is easiest used by the body.

"Meta-analysis of RCTs compares efficacy of D2 vs D3 supplementation"

http://blog.vitamindcouncil.org/201...ompares-efficacy-of-d2-vs-d3-supplementation/

 

[sid]

ok..when i am gonna mention one particular food item, am sure many will be like..oh not again..but I guess its totally on topic, thus I would say it again.....PLEASE anyone and everyone with Crohn's pleaeeeeeaaasse give Bottle Gourd a try...I guess I have told this a thousand times ever since am on this forum...atleast for just one month continuously. I am ready to bet money on it. I know everyone is different but there are certain items which have properties which can help every one...THIS IS THAT VEGETABLE. Please guys take juice (preferred) and other Bottle Gourd recipes..as much as you can..this goes especially with people who are experiencing flare ups....it would be beter if you can add aloe vera along with Bottle Gourd. This is not just a food that is easy on the stomahc and guts, but it also has Healing properties for intenal wounds...In India the ayurvedic gurus have used it for THOUSAND of years and they have written scriptures upon it. (i wish I could show it, but will definitely try to upload it through my mobile next time, I need to ention it). It really makes me sad, that i am not able to convince people of the good effects of it on crohns patients, especially when i have seen people getting better with treatments (not cured), but beter enough to lead a normal and a quality life.

Please guys try it for just one month continuously..If any one wants to know more, you may PM me. (David, I hope you dont mind )

 

[yeldarb49]

Hi Kwalker,

The simple advice of my original GI Dr., he literally saved my life, take a good multi-vitamin, if your body does not need it you will have "expensive piss!"

He also told me about omega3 fatty acids and his theory, this was 1990, way before anyone was talking about omega3s. His theory was that crohns patients have "leaky gut" ie more porous then normal. As the omega 3 works on every cell in the body he believes that it may help seal the gut of a crohns patient.

I also believe that gut flora has a huge influence on crohns though I do not believe anyone knows yet what the best probiotics are but they are important...

 

[momofzach]

Do you know of a good Omega 3, one that doesn't have you belching a weird taste for 3 hours afterwards?

 

[yeldarb49]

Yes they do exist now, ones from flaxseed will not have that effect. I found if I drink half a glass of water then the omega3 then another half glass I can usually avoid that side effect.

Yeldarb

 

[momofzach]

Good, I will try it, thanks!

 

[KWalker]

hmm I should look into Omega3 also

 

[Beach]

Flax seed is nice. I used to work for a firm that manufactured it. But the omega 3 from flax is ALA. What helps best is the omega 3s EPA/DHA found in fish oil and also in krill oil.

Krill, while more expensive, does not give off the fish burp.

Thought this a nice article with a mention on products to buy to avoid the fish burp. I've found Coromega packets in particular to taste good.

"Alternatives to fish oil capsules"

http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/2006/10/alternatives-to-fish-oil-capsules.html

 

[Sparkle2012]

Hi Kwalker,

The simple advice of my original GI Dr., he literally saved my life, take a good multi-vitamin, if your body does not need it you will have "expensive piss!"

He also told me about omega3 fatty acids and his theory, this was 1990, way before anyone was talking about omega3s. His theory was that crohns patients have "leaky gut" ie more porous then normal. As the omega 3 works on every cell in the body he believes that it may help seal the gut of a crohns patient.

I also believe that gut flora has a huge influence on crohns though I do not believe anyone knows yet what the best probiotics are but they are important...

These 3 paragraphs are some great advice. I take Align and noticed a difference immediately. My flora was out of whack for years and I just never felt good.

 

[Sparkle2012]

SID: everyone knows eastern medicines are tried and true. Can you get the vegetable in the US? I've never heard of bottle gourd. Perhaps grow it? Sounds like it is good for those who have diarrhea (no D - I have C), correct?

 

[sid]

SID: everyone knows eastern medicines are tried and true. Can you get the vegetable in the US? I've never heard of bottle gourd. Perhaps grow it? Sounds like it is good for those who have diarrhea (no D - I have C), correct?

I really dont know man wether you get it there or not...but I am 100% sure that every Indian knows about this comon vegetable....on average Indians are mostly vegetarians, thus they make sure they get their vegetable wherever they are and am sure Indians in US know where they get their vegatbles..I would urge you to contact any one of Indian origin. and ask them you are looking for 'kaddu' or 'lauki'. Try this combination of bottle gourd and aloe vera...please do.