If you have Crohn's, it can be challenging constantly dealing with debilitating symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, and abdominal pain. But that's not all you have to worry about, because Crohn’s also causes chronic inflammation in the small intestine – the part of your digestive system responsible for nutrient absorption. Over time, this inflammation and the surgical interventions many people living with Crohn's need to undergo can lead to malabsorption, and in turn, vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Now the good news! If you know the deficiencies that can go hand-in-hand with Crohn's, you can top up your levels of the nutrients you might be running low on. In this blog, we're sharing just this AND the best supplements for Crohns disease. Helping you to keep your nutrient levels optimum, so that's one less Crohn's side effect you need to think about.
Are there specific supplements for Crohns disease?
There’s no 'silver bullet' supplement for Crohn’s, but taking targeted vitamins for Crohns disease can help you manage symptoms by preventing deficiencies. Something that's crucial, because if you develop deficiencies, you could be dealing with even more frustrating side effects, from not getting the vitamins and minerals you need. This can range from anaemia, to osteoporosis (Find out more on how to recognise the symptoms of these conditions with our blogs: 5 Surprising Signs You Need to Increase Iron Levels and Osteopenia: the 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know), muscle cramps, and nerve damage. Not what you want when you're already dealing with one potentially debilitating chronic condition…
This is where the right supplements for Crohns disease can be a great support. And if your gut is struggling to absorb nutrients, our vitamin patches, which deliver all the nutrients through the skin, offer a highly effective option for you to top up. Giving you the peace of mind that all the good stuff is actually making it to where you need it most. Not always the case with oral supplements if your gut health is compromised.
1. A multivitamin is your health hero
Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K need to be absorbed alongside fat in the small intestine for your body to use them effectively. But if you've got Crohn’s disease, fat absorption is often impaired, due to the inflammation in your small bowel, or if you've had surgery.
This can lead to long-term deficiencies in these fat-soluble vitamins, increasing your risk of a weakened immune function, poor bone health, and vision problems. Or you might experience skin healing issues and weaker muscles, which can be triggered by low vitamin E. Want to find out more about what vitamins ADK can do for you and how they work synergistically? Read: Vitamin ADK 5 Unmissable Wellbeing Benefits.
This is why a good Multivitamin is one of your top must-have supplements for Crohns disease. Our Multivitamin Plus Patch includes vitamins A,D, K and E, alongside other essential vitamins for Crohns disease, such as B12, D, and iron (more on these coming up). It covers a lot of nutrient bases – ideal if you're short on time, or dealing with multiple deficiencies.
2. Iron: one of our top supplements for crohns to boost energy and help prevent anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia, where you're low on iron, is often one of the earliest signs of Crohn’s disease. Often due to internal bleeding because of inflammation in the gut and poor absorption of iron.
To support your health and try to prevent, or address, anaemia we'd recommend ferrous bisglycinate, as number two of our must-have supplements for Crohn's disease. It's a gentle and highly bioavailable form of iron, which you'll find in our Iron Plus Patch. Using a patch ensures the nutrients bypass the digestive system completely, which means no gut irritation, no constipation, and no nausea – because yet more digestive upset is the last thing anyone living with Crohn's needs!
3. Vitamin D3/K2: for bone health and immune support
Lots of people with Crohn’s have vitamin D deficiency, around 30% according to studies. It's especially common if you've had parts of your small intestine removed, or are following a no dairy diet (many milk-based products are fortified with vitamin D). Vitamin D supports immune function, bone strength, inflammation control, and if you don't get enough you won't feel your best, but might not be able to put your finger on why. So it's a good idea to get your levels checked regularly, something Crohn's and Colitis UK recommend.
If you are running low, our Vitamin D3/K2 patch is ideal for topping up. Every patch is completely free from gluten, fillers and artificial colours, which can cause flare ups in some chronic conditions, making it a sensible choice of supplements for Crohns disease. Taking these two vitamins for Crohns together is recommended because D3 helps maintain healthy calcium levels and immunity, while K2 ensures the calcium is directed to your bones and not your arteries.
4. B vitamins: another one of your essential supplements for Crohns
B vitamin absorption is often compromised if you’re living with Crohn’s, particularly if the ileum (the part of the small intestine where most nutrients are absorbed) has been affected. Low B12 can cause fatigue, memory problems, and even nerve damage. While vitamin B9, aka folate, is essential for healthy red blood cell production.
Our Multivitamin Plus Patch includes methylfolate (5-MTHF the most bioavailable form of B9), alongside other helpful vitamins for Crohns disease, such as B12, D, and iron. If you’re feeling fatigued, you might prefer to opt for the B12 Plus Patch. This provides a higher dose of B12 than the multivitamin and you can wear each patch for up to 8 hours. Allowing it to deliver a steady dose throughout the day, many of our customers say this gives their energy levels a pick-me-up that lasts – definitely not a patch to wear at bedtime!
5. Magnesium: for muscle, nerve, mood, and sleep support
The constant diarrhoea and inflammation that many Crohn's sufferers live with can significantly deplete magnesium levels. A key nutrient your body needs for over 300 biochemical processes, if you’re running low, you’ll probably feel it. Not getting enough magnesium can trigger cramps, anxiety, sleep issues, and even affect your bone health.
If you’d like to top up, try our Tri Mag Complex – another one of our supplements for Crohns disease recommendations. This comprehensive formulation contains three of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium, which could help to support muscle relaxation, nervous system regulation, and energy production. Many customers also rave about how it has helped them sleep soundly too. So if you’re struggling with insomnia, this one’s for you!
6. Zinc: one of your go-to vitamins for Crohns
Zinc plays a key role in tissue repair and immune function, two things that are constantly under pressure if you’re living with Crohn’s disease. A damaged gut means your body might struggle to absorb zinc from your food or oral supplements. Oysters and red meat contain the highest levels of zinc, so if you’re a vegetarian or vegan (or just don’t like oysters), there aren’t many options for boosting your zinc levels through your diet, and you might need to consider adding zinc to your supplements for Crohns shopping list.
Low levels of zinc can be associated with falling ill more often, or not being able to shake off bugs. And have also been linked to slower healing in the body, not something you want when your gut is continuously under attack from inflammation.
Our L-Lysine/Zinc Patch is a great way to boost your levels because it bypasses the gut and provides the ideal daily dose of zinc and selenium, an antioxidant associated with lowering inflammation.
