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supplements to help remission? Which ones seem to have the best success?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/29/2015 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all:
I will be beginning my pred taper this week...after being on 40 mg for 3 weeks.

I'm holding fast with Lialda, Cortifoam, and generic mesalamine enemas but would like to try to add in some herbs/oils/vitamins...

I currently take D3 (as my levels were Doc having a fit low), calcium (bc I'm on pred) and probiotics.

I see ccherbal, wild oregano, tumeric. ..thrown around alot and I will do some searches too...but any thoughts on what to try? I know it's all a crap shoot...but I'd really appreciate any tips...I'm new to the supplement game...the drugs always gave faster relief so I turned to them first.

Thanks!
Posted 1/29/2015 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, some of it isn't a crapshoot. There are a small handful which have legitimate scientific studies in regards to UC behind them, such as Bosellia and Turmeric (Curcumin) and VSL. Unfortunately, most of those were a crapshoot for me - didn't work. You can check out my signature for what does work for me. I would start with the ones which have those legitimate studies on them and work your way out from there. Anything with legitimate studies saying that it is an anti-inflammatory would be good choices. Don't be fooled by false and unproven claims that something is an anti-inflammatory. Look for the studies in relation to UC, not false claims and testimonials, which are rampant. Many of these things do require very high doses to benefit. I would only take one thing at a time though so you know what works and what doesn't.
Posted 1/29/2015 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Just like the variable response rate for medications, I think the same would apply to supplements. It depends from person to person. Of course, being deficient in vitamins and minerals can lead to certain issues, so those should be addressed first. Magnesium and vitamin D are probably the two biggest ones.

Adding to what Gary said, the ones that have clinical backing for colitis are VSL, turmeric, fish oil or salmon, various probiotic stains, vitamin D, whey protein (l-glutamine), resistant starches. I wish there was a guide for this. *sigh*

You just have to be your own scientist and see what works best. The search feature might help you out.

Best.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 1/29/2015 6:51:00 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/29/2015 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm actually leaning toward tumeric/curcumin to try first...it seems more solid and a little less worrisome than ingesting essential oils.

I wish there was a guide too...I don't really have hours on end to spend studying...that's why I was hoping for some input on where to start.
Posted 1/30/2015 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure it leads to remission, but it really helped to solidify my poop- psyllium fibre (I use metamucil capsules).
Posted 1/30/2015 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have had significant success with L-glutamine (30g per day). I've tried tumeric and boswellia too. Boswellia may have helped slightly, or it could have just been a coincidence, and I noticed no change from tumeric.
Posted 1/30/2015 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Look in the resource page too! Right now i take vsl3, calcium, d, tumeric, fish oil, multi. Lots of meds,😹
Posted 1/30/2015 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Curcumin (turmeric) is my maintenance drug. Even my not-so-into-supplements believes it works for me. And there is published research showing that it is effective.

Do a Pubmed search - use "curcumin" not "turmeric" to all the research out there.

You'll see in my signature that I take 3 mg/day which is a lot. I believe it's ineffective at doses lower than 2 mg/day. It's a very safe supplement - I take 6 mg/day while flaring and have had zero negative side effect.

Start very slow, maybe one capsule a day, and ramp up gradually.

I also take potato starch for resistant starch and am certain it helps. Another supplement that is harmless so low risk with the potential of high reward. Just start slow. I'm at four tablespoons per day but started at 1/2 a teaspoon a day to make sure it was ok for me.

Search the forum for lots of helpful info on these.
Posted 1/30/2015 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
I think kiptyn meant grams, not mg's.
Posted 1/30/2015 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to start with tumeric. I've also been reading about the resistant starch...that is still a little fuzzy to me but I'll keep reading. I just want to try one thing at a time.

Yes Gary...I think grams...in her sig it's listed as grams. Thx!
Posted 1/30/2015 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
L-glutamine...haven't read about that one at all...I'll add it to the list!
Posted 1/31/2015 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Oops! I did indeed mean grams. Thanks for correcting.

I hate typing on my ipad.

:)
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