Vitamins

[Amanda89]

Hi, sorry if this is put into the wrong thread, but was just wondering out of interest which vitamins people were taken to help with their crohns if any?

Thanks

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

If you're in a flare and bleeding, I'd look into taking iron and calcium. Iron would replace what you're losing and calcium would be for your bones. But, I would check with your doctor before taking these items though.

 

[ellie]

If you have a significant flare (bleeding, not managing fluids, etc) then check with your medicos..
Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Vit D capsules


HD

 

[VeganOstomy]

First of, don't take vitamins just to take vitamins. Get your blood tested and see if you are deficient in anything, then take it from there. Many people with Crohn's are deficient in B12, Vitamin D and Iron, but it could depend on the location of your disease, if you are in a flare, if you've had any parts of your gut removed, etc.

Taking something like Iron when you don't need to can cause additional inflammation and possibly heart problems.

Do your best to get what you need from food and if you are still coming up short, then consider supplementing, but get your blood tested and possibly consult with a dietitian.

 

[David]

Very well said VeganOstomy. I agree wholeheartedly about getting your levels tested rather than blindly supplementing. Though I must admit, if people with IBD were to blindly supplement magnesium, I think they'd be better off for it.

 

[DamnitCrohns]

Very well said VeganOstomy. I agree wholeheartedly about getting your levels tested rather than blindly supplementing. Though I must admit, if people with IBD were to blindly supplement magnesium, I think they'd be better off for it.

Why magnesium? are IBD people typically deficient in it?

 

[David]

Yes, people with Crohn's, well, actually, most people are deficient in Magnesium. The problem is, the blood test they do for it is flawed because the body does everything it can to ensure that the serum level of magnesium stays constant, to the point of robbing it from the rest of the body. We have a great wiki entry on it here: http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Magnesium