Vitamins, probiotics, minerals....what works? And what is snake-oil?

[Crohn-Magnon]

I just finished reading my first Crohn's book, titled "Living with Crohn's & Colitis: A comprehensive naturopathic Guide for Complete Digestive Wellness"...

(FYI...I read the book...no sales pitch here)

The book was under-whelming, though it mentions a ton of homopathic, vitamins minerals that can be consumed to aid in achieving remission.

I was curious what items are the "real mccoy" and actually have benefits. I'm taking a multi-vitamin (chewable) right now. I had blood drawn for checking B-12 and iron. The blood results posted online over the weekend and the counts are showing low B-12 and borderline anemia. I wait for the GI to give official results.

I've asked about vitamins, probiotics, etc previously, but the question seems to deflected on another tangent (though important topic).

Looking for experiences....how it helps, side-effects...will I grow a 3rd eye after the first dose? The details....

Thanks.

 

[lynx]

From what I have read this, like most things with our disease, is a matter of hit or miss and you must experiment with these things yourself and see what works for you. My GI told me that there are placebo effects and that my taking a magnesium supplement has really no therapeutic effect but I don't know if that is true or not so i still take it. I think there is plenty of info out there on this stuff and it is a matter of what you are trying to achieve and how much money you are willing to spend to achieve it. As for all anything though, what works for one might not work for another...thats how messed up this is to begin with. My GI did say that I must take an iron supplement for my anemia and that IS working to correct that situation. Taking some of these things though, as too much iron can be dangerous, should be done only with the counsel of the doctor who is treating you.
I know this is not a definitive answer and you are looking for something more concrete unfortunately this subject is very convoluted to begin with and there are no definitive answers out there.
Best advice? Be informed to the best of your ability. Probably talk with a nutritionist who has specific knowledge of IBD.
The thing to keep in mind no matter what you are told or what you read is that what works for some might not work for you.
OH, and there is a lot of posts throughout the forum addressing more specific things...I think if you do some looking around you will probably find posts on just about everything out there somewhere in this forum ...its true! lol.

 

[butafli]

I'm finding fish oils to be working really well. I'm trying to come off prednisone so started taking a good fish oil to naturally assist in the inflammation. I really think it's working!!!!

 

[D Bergy]

There are a hundred or so studies that show therapeutic effects of Magnesium for general health, and since we have Crohn's the likely hood of a deficiency is almost a certainty.

From the NIH itself, which is about as conservative as you can get, they state the following:

The health status of the digestive system and the kidneys significantly influence magnesium status. Magnesium is absorbed in the intestines and then transported through the blood to cells and tissues. Approximately one-third to one-half of dietary magnesium is absorbed into the body [9-10]. Gastrointestinal disorders that impair absorption such as Crohn's disease can limit the body's ability to absorb magnesium. These disorders can deplete the body's stores of magnesium and in extreme cases may result in magnesium deficiency. Chronic or excessive vomiting and diarrhea may also result in magnesium depletion [1,10].


Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures (sudden changes in behaviors caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain), personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur [1,3-4]. Severe magnesium deficiency can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia) [1,19-20].

So if you have nausea, vomiting or lose of appetite, from a Mg deficiency, how are you supposed to separate that from a Crohn's symptom?

A good doctor should be aware that we are often deficient, and that deficiency has its own set of symptoms, that are similar to Crohn's symptoms.

Dan

 

[ameslouise]

I think the best we can do is have our levels checked regularly and supplement with those things are low in. Keeping in mind, of course, that our impaired absorption means that we usually need more than the RDA for normal adults.

Anemia, B12 and magnesium are all very common deficiencies with Crohnies. I have gotten to know my body very well - when I get RLS, that means I am heading into dangerous anemia territory; when I start getting seizures in my lower back, my magnesium is low; leg cramps - low sodium.

The bottom line -each of us is different and needs different meds and supplements. Be informed and listen to your body.

-Amy

 

[Crohn-Magnon]

Thanks for the responses.

I've added Vitamin B and D to my arsenal of vitamins. ( doc said Vit D was low and I added Vit B)

I was looking at fish oil, but wanted to avoid the unpleasant side effects. Was researching a solid brand.

I was looking at turmeric as well. Haven't decided on this one yet. I plan to look into a magnesium.

I'm tapering pred now and upping the Imuran. Fun Times.

 

[fadingsun430]

i use Nordic Naturals Fish Oil it does not have an unpleasant aftertaste and is a reputable brand.

 

[Lydia]

I like carlsons orange flavored fish oil capsules. I swallow them, but my daughter chews them and she likes the taste. Not fishy at all.

Most OTC iron supplements are not very bioavailable. Floradix is a great liquid natural iron supplement that is easily absorbed. You can find it at the health food store.

Try a B50 or B100 complex if you are having absorbtion issues. Or you can get a b12 shot every couple weeks. B vitamins are great for giving you energy.

I agree about the magnesium. Vitamin D is also important. I take 4000 IU each day.

 

[ameslouise]

PS On the topic of magnesium, you can also get it transdermally by soaking in an Epsom Salt bath, but I'm not sure how much is absorbed in that method.

 

[Lydia]

PS On the topic of magnesium, you can also get it transdermally by soaking in an Epsom Salt bath, but I'm not sure how much is absorbed in that method.

And the sulfate you absorb is good for one of the liver detox pathways. I take an epsom salt bath once a week for this reason.

 

[ameslouise]

IMO a good epsom salt bath is like a nice muscle relaxer!!!! I'm all warm and fuzzy when I get out. Sometimes I can hardly make it to the bedroom afterwards!

 

[Lydia]

IMO a good epsom salt bath is like a nice muscle relaxer!!!! I'm all warm and fuzzy when I get out. Sometimes I can hardly make it to the bedroom afterwards!

Yes this too. I even put it in my DDs bath before bedtime. She sleeps like a stone.