Omega 3 Fatty
Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids
are a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). They
act as a natural
anti-inflammatory by decreasing
the production of inflammatory
prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These inflammatory molecules are
instigated in the damage to the
intestinal wall in Crohn's
disease. Omega 3 fatty acids are
located in fish oils (EPA and DHA),
flaxseed oils, and borage oil.
Essential fatty acids, like Omega
3, are often
deficient in patients with Crohn's
disease. [9]
Fish oil was
compared against placebo in a
study focused on remission rates
after treatment. Treatment
with fish oils resulted
in 41% greater improvement in
remission rate when compared to
placebo. In addition, 2/3 of the patients in
the fish oil group responded
favorable to supplementation, as compared to 1/3 in the
placebo group. Remission was also
maintained for greater than one
year in the fish oil group. [10]
Another significant study examined
the anti-inflammatory mechanism of
fish oil. It was found that
certain constituents of fish oil lowers
the levels of cell signaling molecules,
which stimulate inflammatory
mechanisms in the tissues. [11]
DHEA
DHEA is a steroid/hormone precursor made by the
body. Recently, it has been
studied in the treatment of
Crohn's disease.
Clinical tests show that DHEA is deficient in patients with
inflammatory bowel disease.
Studies indicate that the
supplementation of DHEA for a
minimum period of 8
weeks, may result in a decrease of
disease activity. More so, 85% of the
participants in one study responded favorably
to DHEA treatment by entering into
a state of remission. [12]
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a
necessary addition to any
therapeutic plan for Crohn's
disease. Vitamin D is
deficient in Crohn's disease
because of the decreased absorption of
all fat-soluble vitamins.
Its supplementation is recommended to
ensure adequate levels are
retained in the
blood. Because Vitamin D is poorly
absorbed in individuals with Crohn's
disease, persons with this
condition are at increased risk for
developing osteoporosis. This risk
is further enhanced if patients
are being treated with
corticosteroids.
Supplementation
with Vitamin D has been shown to enhance bone
mineral density in patients with
Crohn's disease. One
particular study measured
the bone mineral density of the hip
and spine in patients with Crohn's
disease. Persons with this
condition were found to have
an extremely low bone mineral density
in both areas of the body. After
supplementation with Vitamin D and
calcium took place, there was a
notable increase in the bone
mineral density at both hip
and spine. [13]
Vitamin A,
Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
These vitamins are
often deficient in individuals with Crohn's disease. Vitamin A is
both an antioxidant and protective nutrient for
the cells lining the digestive
tract. Vitamin E acts as an anti-inflammatory and potent
antioxidant. Vitamin C is also an
antioxidant and assists with
increased immunological
functioning and wound healing.
Oxidative stress
is a contributing factor to the inflammatory
process in Crohn's disease. A
study was carried out to measure
the oxidative stress in patients
with Crohn's' disease. During the
study, Vitamin E, A, and C amounts
were measured in the participants.
The study concluded that oxidative stress
markers were, in fact, elevated in the blood
of patients with Crohn's disease, and that antioxidants were
decreased. After the dietary supplementation
of antioxidant rich nutrients,
like Vitamins E, A, and C, were
reintroduced to deficient test
subjects, serum levels of
antioxidants increased and oxidative stress
decreased. [14]
Vitamin B12 and
Folic Acid
Both Vitamin B12
and folic acid are deficient in
individuals with Crohn's
disease. This is, in
large part, due to
the decreased absorption resulting
from
damage to the GI tract. Patients
with Crohn's disease are prone to
anemia, which can be a direct result of
the lack of absorption of both these
vitamins. Homocysteine is
elevated in the blood of
individuals with Crohn's disease
as well. [15] Homocysteine levels become
elevated by a lack of Vitamin B12
and folic acid. However the supplementation
of these nutrients adequately
reduces the homocysteine levels in the blood.
High Potency
Multi-vitamin
Because Crohn's
disease manifests with
malabsorption, a high potency
multi-vitamin is recommended to
provide extra nutrients that may
not be obtained from whole food sources. Many minerals will be deficient,
and the majority of sufferers will benefit from
the supplementation of minerals. Some minerals
known to be deficient in patients
with Crohn's disease include; iron,
copper, zinc, magnesium, and
selenium. [16]
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