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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/21/2014 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Question: What do you all take, supplement wise to help with absorbing nutrients? I know our guts don't absorb all our food correctly, and I want to make sure that I'm as healthy as can be with supplements and homeopathic ways.... Digestive Enzymes?

Currently I'm taking 40 mg predisone to get me out of flare, waiting on Humira....

Supplements:
Calcium plus Vitamin D 1000 mg
Multi- Vitamin
Fish Oil 2000 mg
Slippery Elm 1000 mg
Posted 7/21/2014 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
Have you recently had blood tests done?
A lot of doctors will order blood tests to see how were doing nutrient wise...

Unless youre having specific issues, a varied diet and good multi vitamin are usually sufficient. I always suggest UC patients take D vitamins... and at 1000 with your calcim and any in your multi you should be good. Though others will suggest more and when I was flaring I also took more.

Are you able to eat well cooked vegetables and fruits?
Smoothies are another good way to get nutrients as well as fortified foods.
Posted 7/21/2014 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
I never had any problems absorbing nutrients but then again my condition was never as bad as some. Don't just assume you are not absorbing nutrients. Find out. I do take vitamin D because most all UC'rs are low on that. I wouldn't take any supplements because you are guessing you are not absorbing proper nutrients. Taking calcium is a good idea while on prednisone.
Posted 7/21/2014 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
I got for green smoothies - fruit, dark leafy greens and water in a high speed blender. They provide outstanding nutrition, the best around so if you want to insure you are getting everything you need then I would recommend giving them a go.

Dark leafy greens are the healthiest food on the planet, noting else comes close. For example, check out the nutritional value of kale - http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=38

We could all do with adding more greens to our diet.
Posted 7/21/2014 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Recent blood work: electrolytes are all great. Potassium never that high and I have a kidney issue where I need to get more potassium then others. Otherwise my calcium, sodium, chloride are all wonderful. Not had any vitamin testing done. Seeing doc today, what tests should I have him run?
Posted 7/21/2014 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
If everything else is in line, you are probably all set.
like Gary echoed... besides vitamin D, no need to supplement if you dont need.
not properly absorbing nutrients tends to be more of a Crohns issue than UC.

Calcium on prednisone is also good. And if you at having bloody stools, also possibly iron. But if tests say you're good, then no need, as it can upset the guts.

My potassium was the only major absorption issue I had, as that absorption generally takes place in the colon.
a lot of sports drinks are fortified with potassium. Otherwise try to eat foods rich in it... as im sure you already do since you've had the issue.

Sounds like you're doing good! Good luck with your Dr visit today! :)
Posted 7/21/2014 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! Yea hoping to knock these GI visits down soon! I see my Docore then I see my boyfriend ! ... What about slippery elm and fish oil and Psyllium Husks. Anything natural I'm all for!
Posted 7/21/2014 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Unless you have pancolitis, your ileum is probably not inflamed, so you should really have much of an issue absorbing nutrients. Minerals are another story because I believe they are absorbed in the colon more so than in the small intestine.
Posted 7/21/2014 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
For anyone needing to take meds of any kind I don't personally recommend slippery elm. It coats the digestive tract, which is good, but it makes it harder to absorb medications and nutrients from food. Directions say to take meds and foods like 2 hours before or after slippery elm but if your insides are not coated at that time, allowing you to take meds, then what's the point of taking the slippery elm in the first place? It sounds like in order for it to be effective you would have to take it every couple of hours to keep your insides constantly coated. But if you did that then you could never take meds. I think it might be a very good option for those that don't take any meds, which is quite uncommon for UC'rs.
Posted 7/21/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I tend to agree with Gary. However, I think a slippery elm enema is a good compromise since it only works on the rectum
Posted 7/21/2014 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Fish Oil has seemed to help as well as the Slippery Elm... However, I'm on 40 mg of Predisone. So who the heck knows!
Posted 7/21/2014 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Fish oils did nothing for me... others wear by them. Were all so different :D
Posted 7/22/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I always suggest UC patients take D vitamins... and at 1000 with your calcim and any in your multi you should be good.

Maybe or maybe not. Why not take the guess work out of it and get your blood levels of vitamin D checked. My guess is that you will find that your D levels are low and supplementation is warranted.

I take 5,000 IU of D a day to keep up my blood levels of D. And that is with me always outdoors at the beach or playing golf.

While you are at it you can also get your levels of iron, B12, and folic acid checked. Not sure if zinc can be measured but most IBDers are also deficient in zinc.

Regular Epsom salt baths are an excellent way to absorb magnesium which is also in short supply in IBDers.
Posted 7/22/2014 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I take so many Epsom salt baths! And use magnesium oil! Since taking more Vit D/ Calcium I feel a lot better. But who knows. Gah, healing from this flare. Fine all day until 9pm bloated and pain. The 4am - 9am pooping my brains out. No blood just normal stools but severe cramping and urgency somewhat. Hopefully it's the healing process! Blah
Posted 7/22/2014 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
I agree on D3. It is absorbed in right colon. Most other nutrients are absorbed in small intestine, and unless there is some symptom related rapid motility, there will be no problem adsorbing nutrients with UC.

May also be good to eat some fiber (like oat bran) that will produce byuterate when fermenting.

Be careful of iron. You need it if bleeding, but it is very hard on the gut and can cause symptoms.
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