Supplements

‘Eating a vitamin-rich diet is essential for maintaining health and preventing disease. However, studies show that obtaining optimum amounts of nutrients from diet alone is no longer as easy as it once was.

Research conducted in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and many other countries reveals that the nutrient content of our food has fallen substantially over the past few decades. The suspected causes include the increasing shift to industrial forms of agriculture.’ Source

The full article is an interesting read as it evidences the scale of the loss of vitamins and minerals from our food supply with  simple charts supported by extensive study references. Crohn’s disease can make it difficult for essential nutrients to be absorbed especially where there is a history of bowel surgery. So the question arises as to whether taking vitamin and mineral supplements could help in the recovery from Crohn’s disease. (For further reading on the nutrient state of our food supply please see We Want Real Food post) 

Our bodies are each unique and the symptoms we experience can vary widely. For one person supplementation may be necessary, whilst another may obtain no benefit whatsoever. If we do decide to take supplements which ones will benefit our particular symptoms? Which brand should we use? How do we obtain impartial advice? All these questions and others can easily confuse the poor Crohn’s patient, perhaps in the midst of dietary and lifestyle changes to boot, so I’ve tried to set out a few simple pointers from my lived experience of supplementation that might help simplify things a little.

Comment

My experience is that supplements will not cure Crohn’s disease but can be important in supporting the body to self-heal. For me, Crohn’s meant taking responsibility for my health and learning what my body needed not handing responsibility for my well-being to a supplement company. Secondly, when I was making changes to my diet and fluid intake, had I supplemented as well, I would not have discovered what was working and what wasn’t. My experience leads me to suggest ‘small steps’ – change one thing at a time and see how your health improves, or otherwise. Gradually you’ll reach a point where you’ll know which symptoms you can support with diet and lifestyle changes, and which stubbornly remain resistant.

My symptoms improved significantly with dietary changes but my blood tests revealed low ferritin and I often became light-headed. During one particular episode when I was about to float away I rang Cardiff Health Store who kindly offered to catch me as I floated past their shop and sort me out. A couple of hours later I had Vit B12 and Gentle Iron and within about three days the issue was resolved.

Research also taught me that Crohn’s sufferers struggle to absorb Vit B12 especially following bowel surgery to the small/large bowel juncture. Hence, B12 has become a regular supplement. I’ve relayed this to highlight that over time your body will show you what it needs. Allow yourself that time to learn so you can discover which supplements will benefit you. I take a variety now especially Omega 3 oil which is anti-inflammatory but deciding which ones to take requires experience and trial & error.

For reference I source pure supplements without fillers. I obtain these from British Supplements as I like their open honest approach, the option to read the experiences of other customers and their Stacks page giving combinations for specific conditions. There are other high quality options out there such as Clive De Carle so research until you find a brand that works for you.