Crohn's disease, a chronic condition, causes inflammation of the digestive tract that interferes with the absorption of nutrients. In addition to the common symptom of persistent diarrhea, Crohn's disease contributes to malnutrition leading to protein and vitamin deficiencies. Although taking vitamins and minerals will not cure Crohn's disease, taking them can help patients restore proper nutrition to help manage the disease.
Pathology
Although Crohn's disease can cause inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract, it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine, known as the ileum. Doctors classify Crohn's disease as an inflammatory bowel disorder, along with ulcerative colitis. Although similar, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease differ in the damage they cause to the intestines. Crohn's disease can damage all the layers of the intestinal lining, including the deepest layer, while still allowing healthy tissue between the areas of damaged tissue. The type of damage caused by Crohn's causes the interference in nutrient absorption that leads to malnutrition.
Complications
The symptoms of Crohn's disease come and go, causing times of worsening symptoms, known as flare-ups, followed by the absence of symptoms, known as remission. Patients who suffer frequent flare-ups with severe symptoms may develop complications. Severe inflammation in the intestines can cause a blockage that may require surgery to resolve. Damage to the intestines can also cause an ulcer, or open sore, that runs deep enough to cause a fistula---an open tunnel into other tissues. One of the most common complications, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, is the occurrence of nutritional deficiencies, which can lead to weight loss and other conditions such as anemia.
Vitamins
Those with Crohn's disease often exhibit a deficiency in vitamin D, a vitamin necessary for the absorption of the minerals calcium and phosphorus. This could be due to inadequate intake of vitamin D, inhibited absorption of the vitamin or an effect of medications known as corticosteroids taken to decrease the inflammation. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, help to repair damaged cells in the intestines, according to the Merck Manual.
Minerals
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a deficiency in calcium, which can put patients at risk for developing osteoporosis---a condition characterized by weak bones. Zinc, an essential mineral, helps in wound healing, and zinc deficiency is associated with conditions such as skin rashes. Patients with Crohn's disease often develop a zinc deficiency, which could account for the additional manifestation of the disease, including skin rash, according to research published in the 1980 issue of the journal "Gut."
Supplementation
Doctors at MayoClinic.com recommend that patients with Crohn's disease follow a healthy, balanced diet by eating five to six small meals a day to help reduce irritation of the intestines and provide the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain good health. Supplementing with vitamins and minerals, under the supervision of your primary care doctor, can help patients avoid deficiencies.
