Supplements - What do you Take?

[Tesscorm]

Hi everyone,

I tried to post this in another discussion but was suggested that I include it in the Diet & Fitness section...

My son has just ended a six-week enteral therapy and is currently reintroducing foods. His prescribed course of treatment is maintenance enteral therapy for a year and Nexium, an antacid. The only supplement we have been advised to add to his diet has been vitamin D.

Overall, he has responded very well to the therapy and for 95% of the time, 100% of his symptoms have gone. The 5% has been two occasions where his BMs have included mucus and some blood (the first time did not seem to create any concern with his GI as there were no other symptoms). Now the mucus/blood appeared again yesterday - I'm hoping it's just a 'blip' as his body is adjusting to the reintro of foods. But, in my opinion, it does indicate some inflammation.

So, 'blip' or not, I'd like to do all I can to reduce/eliminate inflammation from his body. I have read that so many of you take supplements - not just vitamins, but all types of supplemental treatments that have helped you.

I'm thinking things like vitamins, minerals, I've seen people mentioned phsyllium (spelling???) husks, coconut oil and water, fish oil, anti-inflammatory foods, amoung many others.

I'd like to compile a list of 'supplement' info. If you'd like to respond, let me know:

what you take and amount
why you take it (benefits that you've seen or hope to see)
any negative side effects you have encountered and/or what hasn't worked

I will take all the info and put it together in a summary and post it for everyone.

I think having all this info in one spot would help me immensely in trying to help my son and will hopefully provide everyone with a source of info regarding alternative options and ideas to add to their current medicinal treatments.

Thanks for your help.

 

[old_motters]

I take Floridix Intestacare which I get from Holland and Barrett. The key ingredients are turmeric and ginger.

I'm planning on taking a pro biotic and some sort of fish oil when I find the right one.

 

[Nosick]

I take psyllium, fish oil, probiotics (still experimenting) and a Chinese herbal formula. I am not sure if the probiotics are helping or not. I think I need to give them some more time. Not sure about the effectiveness of fish oil but it's good for you so, seems like a no brainer.

 

[spinsolution]

Multi-vitamin, fish oil, green tea capsules (EGCG), calcium, jack3d (pre-workout supplement), protein powder. I also have some enteric-coated peppermint capsules on the way.

 

[scl]

At the recommendation of a Naturopathic doctor who treats many patients with chronic digestive diseases, I take:

VSL #3, a probiotic that is very powerful and a little hard to fine. You can look at their website for pharmacies that may have it, or you can order it directly from them. I have the capsules and take one a day for 60 days (that is one jar). It is expensive, but worth it.

Glutamine powder, 250 mg twice a day five days a week. This is an amino acid that is specifically used by your gut mucosa to repair itself.

Borage Oil (Barleans is good and should be readily available) 1000 mg once a day five days a week. Borage Oil supports healthy immune system function and joint comfort.

Rainbow Light One a Day Multivitamin (just to cover your bases regarding vitamins and minerals): one daily five days a week

The reason for only taking the supplements five days a week (except the VSL #3) is I have read that your body absorbs and utilizes most nutrients better when they are not available constantly, so taking weekends off maintains maximum benefit.

I also add one thing at a time to make sure I was able to tolerate it. I give it a week before adding the next thing in. I started with either the the glutamine...

 

[CrohnsGuy]

Since I live up in the Boston area, I take a 2,500 IU Vit-D capsule daily during the winter months otherwise I only take one other supplement to boost anti-oxidant levels, especially glutathione. I do my best to get adequate nutrition from whole foods which is not always easy.

JERF - Just Eat Real Food

 

[MotherMary]

Oxalytic acid

Multi-vitamin, fish oil, green tea capsules (EGCG), calcium, jack3d (pre-workout supplement), protein powder. I also have some enteric-coated peppermint capsules on the way.

You might want to check to see if your protein powder is soy based. Crohns often messes with the body's binding of oxalytic acid (soy is very high as are peanuts, anything from cocao plant - chocolate and colas, coffee, asparagus, rhubarb, berries). This oxalytic acid then circulates in the blood, binds with calcium and causes kidney stones to form. Beware.

 

[Jessica]

Couple months ago I decided to add an Omega-3 pill and a Flax Seed pill. BIG mistake. I was doubled over for two weeks and couldn't figure it out. However, once I stopped those... all of my Crohn's symptoms stopped.

Now I only take a multi, vit d, and vit c.

 

[scl]

To Tesscorm

I would recommend you see a naturopathic doctor who treats patients with IBS. They can recommend supplements specific to your son's symptoms and test results.

It has really helped me. I have no symptoms (three weeks post diagnosis with blockage and fistula) and feel absolutely terrific. Back to running and doing everything I want to do. Sticking to the SCD diet religiously.

 

[CrohnsGuy]

Diet plays a huge role in "managing" Crohn's disease as I've found being fastidious about it to be the best medicine. That being said, anything you can do to reduce/mitigate inflammation would be best. I like Vit-D when it's winter here in MA, but you can supplement a bit as well. Coconut oil is another all around favorite.

 

[Jefferson]

My DR just suggested (for those in the States) over the counter Centrum Silver Ultra for women. I'm to take 2 day. A) I'm not a woman (last I checked) and B) I'm still under 50. But that's neither here nor there, the supplement facts speak for themselves, chock full of all the essentials that our diseased bodies crave.

Hope this helps
Jeff

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks everyone. I have started to put together a list of of the many supplements mentioned on the forum and their benefits. As soon as I have a chance, I will post it. Others may also find it helpful to have the information in one spot.

SCL - I actually have an apptmt with a naturopath for my son next week. I am hoping (expecting) that she will be able to recommend appropriate supplements for my son. Unfortunately, being 17 years and a bit of a picky eater, I don't think he's ready for any 'structured' diet... for now, I'm just trying to keep it as healthy as possible and hope to fill in any missing 'part' with supplements.

thanks

 

[Lydia]

For those looking for a multi vitamin with lots of extra things that crohnies need, I suggest a prenatal vitamin. Lots of iron, b-vits, and a lil extra calcium. AND they often go on sale, so you can get them for a good price.

 

[vickyhunter]

I take a multivitamin and vegetarian omega-3 flaxseed oil
xxxxx