Where to buy supplements?

VSL#3 has become so mainstream, I believe I've seen it at places like Walmart and Kroger.

The other items you mention will probably have to be found at Whole Foods or a drugstore in your area that specializes in natural supplements. Of course, you could probably order online, too.

I wouldn't recommend starting everything at once. If you're in a flare, this could really be a shock to your system. It would also make it more difficult to tell what's helping and what's not. I'd recommend starting the probiotic and the vitamin D first, then the fish oil and on from there. In my experience, rebalancing the gut flora with large doses of quality probiotics was the most helpful - along with dietary modifications, then reducing inflammation with omega-3s (fish oil). The other things were the icing on the cake.

Puritan's Pride. I get all my herbs from here. They also have great skin care products and you cannot beat the price:

http://www.puritan.com/

Nobody stocks VSL#3 in town so I order direct. They do a very nice job packing it in a big cooler and it arrives ice cold even in the Arizona summer

Thank you!

mamabee,

1) For the slippery elm bark powder, I would recommend your getting it from:

http://www.pacificbotanicals.com/store/product.php?productid=327

That's where I get mine, as it's organic and pretty cheap too. IMO, You should be taking 1 tablespoon mixed in a little water - which will become gel-like, drink it down before it gets too thick - 3 times per day.

2) For the psyllium seed husk powder - I see that pacific botanicals has it there as well (organic):

http://www.pacificbotanicals.com/store/product.php?productid=593

3) For the VSL#3, if you have good health insurance, I would recommend you get your GI to prescribe for you the VSL#3 DS (IMO, to be taken 3 times daily), and you might only have a small copay.

Do you have good coverage that would pay for it?

4) Regarding the Vit. D - you need to make sure you have been blood tested to see if you are low in it first before taking it, as there could be toxicity issues otherwise. Have you been blood tested?

5) With regard to foods, I commend you on doing the SCD diet. I know it's tough.

I just want to make you aware of one more thing: food combining. If you mis-combine foods, it can wreak havoc on your gut with gas, distension, bloating, pain, cramping, and D. Here's a good informational link which explains it well:

http://cureforulcerativecolitis.com/step-1-methodology-to-eating

I would suggest you  start with VSL, then slippery elm, then psyllium.

Let us know how you progress.

 

Thank you so much InSoFla! That is exactly what I needed :) I just ordered the Slippery Elm Bark Powder and the Psyllium Seed Husk Powder, and Chia Seeds from Pacific Botanicals. Going to talk to my GI about the VSL#3 DS and about getting bloodwork regarding the Vit. D. I also went ahead and ordered the Whey protein powder and VitK as well, just to have when I'm ready to make that Morning Glory Shake!

I have been reading www.cureforulcerativecolitis.com everyday! Love how it's all spelled out for you. I really need to read how to introduce new foods. I ordered the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" so I'll be able to get more info soon as well as the recipe book. I plan on taking it VERY slowly and monitoring all my side effects with a food journal.

Thanks again for your help!

mamabee,

You have the right attitude, and you're already halfway there with the steps you've begun to make by being in charge of your health!

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

bearjohnson said...
princesa said...
VSL#3 has become so mainstream, I believe I've seen it at places like Walmart and Kroger.

The other items you mention will probably have to be found at Whole Foods or a drugstore in your area that specializes in natural supplements. Of course, you could probably order online, too.

I wouldn't recommend starting everything at once. If you're in a flare, this could really be a shock to your system. It would also make it more difficult to tell what's helping and what's not. I'd recommend starting the probiotic and the vitamin D first, then the fish oil and on from there. In my experience, rebalancing the gut flora with large doses of quality probiotics was the most helpful - along with dietary modifications, then reducing inflammation with omega-3s (fish oil). The other things were the icing on the cake.
I see you mentined fish oil, probiotic and vitamin D. I just started Align and Mega Red Krill oil.


My question is how much of each? Currently I just take one Align and one Mege Red daily.

Fish oil/flax oil: Clinical trials have shown that supplementation with fish oil (2.7 grams of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA daily) can reduce the severity of UC by more than 50% and enable many patients to discontinue anti-inflammatory medication and steroids. I believe I've seen recommendations of up to 5 grams a day or more for IBD.

Vitamin D: As someone mentioned, it's good to have your levels checked first, if you're not sure. I knew mine were low because I'm almost never out in the sun - which is a primary source of vitamin D.

Probiotics: It really depends on the brand. Most manufacturers have a customer service line where you can call and inquire about recommended dosages for people with IBD. They can benefit from much higher doses than the "normal" person.