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Are There Any Supplements to Help Crohn's Disease?

People with Crohn's disease suffer reoccurring and long-lasting bouts of inflammation along a section of their digestive tracts. This inflammation is extensive, affecting all layers of the intestinal wall and may involve adjacent lymph nodes. Once the inflammation has healed, it often leaves scar tissue that narrows the passageway, causing further issues. Generally, people suffering from Crohn's disease have problems with malabsorption, meaning they do not absorb enough nutrients, which can lead to a weakened immune system. Supplements can help.

  1. Vitamin & Mineral Supplements

    • Vitamins A (retinol) and E, two of the fat soluble vitamins, are recommended. Emulsion is readily absorbed and these vitamins aid in controlling infection, something important for individuals with compromised immune systems. For malabsorption, many doctors recommend B12 (often as an injection). Add in B2 (riboflavin) and B9 (folic acid), easily found in B complex vitamins. Helpful minerals include magnesium and zinc. Since zinc is a trace mineral, only small doses are required. Because people with Crohn's often don't absorb the minerals they need, a doctor may add potassium into their suggested list of supplements. In general, take a good multi-vitamin with trace minerals such as copper and selenium.

    Herbal Supplements

    • Many herbs are thought to help with Crohn's disease. Avoiding stress is, of course, a key factor in managing the symptoms. Some recommendations include echinacea, goldenseal root, pau d'arco and rose hips. Garlic is particularly helpful as it combats free radicals involved in Crohn's disease, strengthens immune systems and aids in healing. Cat's claw is another herb used for many inflammatory disorders. Studies have shown it to stimulate the immune system while helping smooth muscles to relax (such as the bowels). Like garlic, it, too, has antioxidant properties which fight off free radicals. Both slippery elm and marshmallow (the herb, not the candy) produce a gel-like coating that protects the lining of the stomach and intestines and may help relieve inflammatory conditions. Drink green tea as it is believed to help with Crohn's disease and other ulcerative conditions. The tea helps with digestion as well as with gas.

    Other Supplements

    • Fiber is an important supplement to combat both constipation and diarrhea. To aid in digestion, add in lactobacillus acidophilus, the most common friendly bacteria that needs to inhabit the digestive tract. Additional supplements to consider include alpha-linolenic acid (a plant based omega 3 fatty acid) along with the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish. These fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are rich sources of ALA. Because DHEA levels tend to be low in people with Crohn's disease, DHEA may be a helpful supplement.

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