I have worked very hard on learning about the ‘right’ supplements we need to take for IBD. Many people don’t feel comfortable sharing their supplement regiment because it IS SO SPECIFIC TO YOU. So – I’m sharing just so you can see what we do but remember this was determined based on Alex’s specific lab results and needs.
I will say that I’m a huge research nerd and I make sure to review all my vitamins and supplements through Consumer Labs.
What Alex currently takes:
FISH OIL
Fish oil and it’s Omega-3 Fatty Acids are great for inflammation. We use Nature’s Bounty Mini-Fish Oil or GNC Triple Strength Mini because it is a small pill and it’s easy to swallow (many fish oils are large horse pills!). If the size doesn’t bother you, see the Natural Factors one. Both are enteric coated. This is important because it means it survives the stomach acid and then delays release in the small intestine. Omega-3’s are best absorbed in small intestine and it is often where the IBD inflammation occurs, so we are ‘closer’ to the spot needed. Enteric coating also prevents fish oil burps…yuck! There’s concern on enteric coating when they are synthetic – so watch ingredient statement for ‘polymers’. I’d rather take a chance on a different illegal in terms of SCD like cellulose in first two’s enteric coating. Natural Factors uses pectin and that is preferred but again to large for us right now.
Nature’s Bounty Mini-Fish Oil: provides 450 mg of Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids comprising of: EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), Other Fatty Acids] 645 mg. Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Food Glaze. Contains <2% of: Acetylated Monoglycerides, Lemon Oil, Mixed Natural Tocopherols, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Alginate, Sorbic Acid (preservatives). Contains fish (anchovy, mackerel, sardine) ingredients. Non-GMO.
GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil MINI : provides Total EPA + DHA [EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid (Omega-3) 734 mg, DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) (Omega-3) 267 mg] 1,000 mg, Other Omega-3s 65 mg] 1,065 mg] 1,373 mg. Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Enteric Coating (Stearic Acid, Sodium Alginate, Ethylcellulose, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Oleic Acid), Mixed Tocopherols. No Sugar, No Starch, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Preservatives, No Wheat, Gluten Free, No Corn, No Dairy, Yeast Free. Triple Strength Fish Oil has been purified and manufactured for freshness and found to be free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead and PCBs. Gluten Free.
Natural Factors Extra Strength: Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) 600 mg, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) 300 mg] 900 mg. Other Ingredients: Enteripure™ softgel (gelatin, glycerin, purified water, pectin), natural vitamin E. Molecularly distilled and guaranteed for purity and safety from environmental pollutants like PCBs and mercury or other harmful compounds, RxOmega-3 surpasses the strictest international standards for quality. Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, corn, egg, shellfish, salt, tree nuts, or GMOs.
VITAMIN B COMPLEX
B12 is absorbed in the end of the small intestine and people with Crohn’s disease, UC and Celiacs’s may not be able to absorb B12 very well. Alex is currently taking this Vitamin B Complex from Freeda. Freeda actually makes SCD complaint vitamin blends. AWESOME! No sugar or fillers added. They also make a nice SCD Multivitamin.
Freeda SCD B Complex: Alex started with a 1/4- 1/3 pill (cut and taken in applesauce to help smooth it down). He now weighs more and takes 1/2 pill per day.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is essential for all IBDers and all of us in the winter time! Vitamin D has been studied to improve IBD inflammation and symptoms (click for more ): Active Crohn’s and UC have been associated with low Vitamin D levels (click for more). And – we’ve heard countless research on Vitamin D benefits for our immune system for ALL OF US!
In fall, winter and spring our entire house takes 2000 IU daily. We ease off it in the summertime when we get lots of sunshine but Alex will still take it a couple times a week.
I buy one from our local health food store or the 365 Whole Foods Vitamin D 2000 IU.
IRON
Iron supplements are not SCD Legal. I have iron on the list though because many IBDers have low iron levels. Iron supplements are very hard on the digestive system, usually casing damage in an already damaged lining. We have experienced some low iron levels and I’ve tried to build up Alex’s iron stores naturally. It takes FOREVER to build back iron stores after they’ve been depleted. He has come to like liver pate as an occasional boost as well as desiccated liver pills. The desiccated liver pills deliver such a low, low amount of iron…you’d have to take so many to really reap the benefits. Therefore – I prefer pate, spinach taken with Vitamin C for better absorption and cooking in a cast iron skillet.
These are the desiccated liver pills we’ve taken: Radiant Life
PROBIOTICS
See our page on Probiotics under the Gut Microbiome Section. Here’s a general snapshot for SCD.
SCD Diet Allows these probiotics: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
Saccharomyces Boulardii Saccharomyces Boulardii is a unique non–pathogenic yeast which exercises beneficial actions in the intestinal tract. GI ProHealth carries a SCD legal brand of Saccharomyces Boulardii.