Crohn's disease is a digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that causes lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but it may be caused by an abnormal immune response. If you suffer from Crohn's disease, your doctor will likely prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or drugs that suppress the immune system. Some supplements may also help to relieve symptoms. However, scientific evidence to prove they work is limited. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements, as they may cause side effects.
Probiotics
The probiotic known as Saccharomyces boulardi may reduce the incidence of diarrhea, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. However, an analysis of clinical trial data published in the October 2006 issue of the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" notes that there is no conclusive evidence to show that probiotics are beneficial in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Talk to your doctor before taking probiotics, as their safety is largely unknown, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
UMMC notes that omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects and aid in the remission of Crohn's disease. Data published in the December 2005 issue of "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics" show that omega-3 fatty acids may have immunomodulatory effects and may also inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals. However, research published in the January 2011 issue of "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" suggests that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of omega-3 fatty acids for maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease. Omega-3 fatty acids may be obtained by eating oily fish or taking a fish oil supplement. Talk to your doctor before before using fish oil supplements to treat your condition, as they may interact with other drugs you may be taking.
Boswellia
The herb boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, may have anti-inflammatory effects and may be helpful in the treatment of Crohn's disease, according to UMMC. However, data published in the May 2010 issue of "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" suggests that while boswellia is well-tolerated, it is no more effective than a placebo in the treatment of Crohn's. This herb may cause side effects, including abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea, RxList.com notes.
Considerations
Supplements may be used as an aid to conventional medical therapies, but they should not be used in place of treatment prescribed by your doctor. If you are considering a holistic approach to treating your condition, making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing stress levels and getting regular exercise may also help to alleviate symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how best to incorporate dietary supplements and lifestyle changes into your treatment plan.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Crohn's Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- PubMed: Probiotics for Maintenance of Remission in Crohn's Disease
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- PubMed: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Inhibit an Increase of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Patients With Active Crohn's Disease Compared With Omega-6 Fatty Acids
- PubMed: Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
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