What supplements should I take?

If you have Crohn's disease, you have to be very careful about what you put into your mouth whether it is food, drinks, herbs, or even vitamins and supplements. 

If you are going to supplement your diet make sure you select the supplements that are going to be beneficial to your health and also improve the quality of your life. I have included my recommendations that may be beneficial to your health. They have certainly helped me.

NOTE: It's important to regularly test your levels with blood tests. 

PROBIOTICS.
Probiotics or good bacteria is indeed a buzz word at the moment. They are believed to provide a positive benefit for your digestion. Probiotics are available to have on their own and are even available in many food products. You must make sure you are consuming the good bacteria. These do the best job of keeping away the harmful bacteria that might aggravate your Crohn’s disease symptoms.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
We all know the benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, they fight inflammation in your body. It makes sense then that they may help the tissues most affected by Crohn’s disease. If we wish to consume them in food, we can get them in flaxseed oil and deep-sea fish like salmon. Most people find it is easier to take them as a supplement.
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VITAMIN D
Vitamin D seems like it is the hot supplement of the moment. We are being bombarded with information. Experts believe Vitamin D plays a significant role in regulating our immune response. We know Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory condition which may be triggered by our immune system so vitamin D can then play a useful role. Our bodies can make Vitamin D naturally through sunlight but with the dangers of too much sun exposure consuming Vitamin D in food or through supplementation seems like a better option.

IRON
If you have Crohn’s disease, you may have a problem with the absorption of iron. As iron plays a vital role in keeping your blood healthy and maintaining your energy and sense of well-being, it is important to know if you are deficient. Make sure your doctor tests you and if you are a good quality supplement will be critical in helping you on the path to wellness.

VITAMIN A
This vitamins role is to support your immune system which tells us that it will be beneficial to those who have Crohn's disease. Unfortunately, some sufferers have a hard time absorbing Vitamin A so taking a good quality multivitamin which contains the minimum daily requirement is recommended.  If you also wish to incorporate eating extra Vitamin A in your diet make sure you eat foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, and dark leafy greens.

ZINC
Zinc is essential as it helps heal your tissues and assists in building strong bones throughout your life. It has been noted that some Crohn's patients are deficient in Zinc. So making sure you get enough zinc if you have Crohn's disease it is essential to make sure you are consuming enough. Zinc can be found in dark chocolate and oysters. Seeds such as sesame or pumpkin seeds or foods containing seeds like watermelon are also high in zinc. However, remember that sometimes people living with Crohn's have trouble with seeds so be very careful.

CALCIUM
Calcium is one of the essential supplements for those who have Crohn's disease. This is because sufferers often take high doses of steroids to help manage their symptoms and this puts them at a higher risk of bone loss later in their life. Consuming sufficient calcium also reduces the risk for cancers associated with Crohn's disease, such as colon cancer. Make sure you consume Vitamin D with your calcium as it helps with better absorption of the calcium. Also eat foods rich in calcium such as milk, spinach and almonds BUT remember to watch eating almonds if nuts are a problem for you.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass has been found, through research in Japan, to help ease some of the inflammation and irritation associated with Crohn's disease. It is also easy to add to your diet as it is very recipe friendly as a lot of Asian dishes, mainly Thai food, use lemongrass in their ingredient lists.  You can also get this in pill form.

Turmeric
Turmeric is believed to be anti-inflammatory and has been used to treat inflammation for a long time. It can be added to stews and curries, but because of the implications of eating spicy food, it is better to consume it in capsule form. Curcumin is the clinical name of turmeric.

Green Tea
Green tea has many healing properties. It is believed to reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. Some studies have even shown that green tea can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. So make sure you boil up a cup of green tea and enjoy it hot or turn it into a refreshing iced tea by adding mint.

At My Crohn's Doctor we are passionate about great health and wellness. As a result we only recommend and partner with the BEST products that will help you achieve your health and wellness goals. 

If you have any more questions then please free to email me at [email protected] or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor.
Yours in Health and Wellness
Dr Michael  ​​​

​My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com

​LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational  purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your  professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.