| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|
Vitamin D | 1,000 to 1,200 IU daily under medical supervision
|  [3 stars] Vitamin D malabsorption is common in Crohn’s and can lead to a deficiency of the vitamin. Supplementation can help prevent bone loss in cases of deficiency. |
|
DHEA | Take under medical supervision: 200 mg daily |  [2 stars] In a preliminary trial, six of seven people with Crohn’s disease went into remission after taking DHEA for eight weeks. |
|
Fish Oil | 2.7 grams daily omega-3 fatty acids in enteric-coated capsules
| [2 stars] Fish oil helps relieve the inflammation of the gut that occurs in people suffering from Crohn’s disease.
|
|
Multivitamin | Follow label instructions | [2 stars] People with Crohn’s disease may benefit from taking a high potency multivitamin-mineral supplement to offset the deficiencies caused by Crohn’s-related malabsorption. |
|
Probiotics | At least 250 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii taken three times per day | [2 stars] In double-blind research, diarrhea caused by Crohn’s disease has partially responded to supplementation with the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii. |
|
Vitamin K | 80 to 1,000 mcg daily | [2 stars] Taking vitamin K can counteract the deficiency and resulting bone loss that can occur in people with Crohn’s disease. |
|
Zinc | 25 to 50 mg of zinc (with 2 to 4 mg of copper to avoid depletion) per day
| [2 stars] Zinc is needed to repair intestinal cells damaged by Crohn’s disease. Supplementation may offset some of the deficiency caused by Crohn’s-related malabsorption. |
|
Agrimony | Refer to label instructions
|  [1 star] Agrimony is a tannin-containing herb that may be helpful to decrease diarrhea during acute flare-ups and has been used for this purpose in traditional medicine. |
|
Aloe | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Aloe juice has historically been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. |
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Chamomile | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory herb historically recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. |
|
Cranesbill | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Doctors sometimes recommend this astringent herb in combination with several other herbs to sooth the digestive tract. Because it contains tannin, it may help decrease diarrhea. |
|
Digestive Enzymes | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Supplementing with enzymes might improve the nutrient malabsorption that is often associated with Crohn’s disease. |
|
Folic Acid | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Folic acid is needed to repair intestinal cells damaged by Crohn’s disease. Supplementation may offset some of the deficiency caused by Crohn’s-related malabsorption. |
|
Green Tea | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Green tea is a tannin-containing herb that may be helpful to decrease diarrhea during acute flare-ups and has been used for this purpose in traditional medicine. |
|
Licorice | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice is an anti-inflammatory herb historically recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. |
|
Lipase | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] People with Crohn’s disease may be deficient in lipase. Supplementing with enzymes might improve the malabsorption that is associated with the disease. |
|
Marshmallow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Marshmallow helps soothe inflamed tissues. Doctors sometimes use this herb in combination with slippery elm, cranesbill, and several other herbs to sooth the digestive tract. |
|
Oak | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Oak is a tannin-containing herb that may be helpful to decrease diarrhea during acute flare-ups and has been used for this purpose in traditional medicine. |
|
Slippery Elm | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Slippery elm helps soothe inflamed tissues. Doctors sometimes use this herb in combination with marshmallow, cranesbill, and several other herbs to sooth the digestive tract. |
|
Turmeric (Curcumin) | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Turmeric contains curcumin, which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. In one study, people given turmeric saw an improvement after three months. |
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Vitamin A | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Vitamin A is needed for the growth and repair of cells that line both the small and large intestine and can improve symptoms in people with Crohn’s disease. |
|
Vitamin B12 | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Vitamin B12 is needed to repair intestinal cells damaged by Crohn’s disease. Supplementation may offset some of the deficiency caused by Crohn’s-related malabsorption. |
|
Witch Hazel | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Witch hazel is a tannin-containing herb that may be helpful to decrease diarrhea during acute flare-ups and has been used for this purpose in traditional medicine. |
|
Yarrow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory herb historically recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. |
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