Recommendations for Supplements to Help Ulcerative Colitis

Updated on May 31, 2008
B.R. asks from Columbus, OH
16 answers

My 5 yr old has had ulcerative colitis for about a year now. I'd be interested to learn of what diet modifications and/or supplements anyone has used to prevent flares. The SCD would be difficult or impossible to implement for her since she can't have nuts or eggs. She also has eczema and food allergies, so I suspect a leaky gut is the root cause of her conditions. Would anyone recommend seeing a naturopath for UC?

She's currently taking an omega-3 supplement, probiotics (VSL#3 and Florastor), folic acid, L-glutamine, a multivitamin, and asacol as maintenance medication. When she's been bleeding, we give her a ferrochel supplement.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.A.

answers from Cincinnati on

A colleague of mine suffers from UC. Here is his regimin:
1. First thing in the morning: 2 caps OPC-3, 1 cap Maximum ORAC, 1 cap Vitamin C and 1 cap MultiTech in 10oz of water.
2. After 30 minutes with breakfast: 2 scoops of Complete Greens, 2 caps of Digestive Enzymes and 2 caps of Vitamin B-12 in 8oz of water.
3. At lunch: 2 scoops of Complete Greens, 2 caps of Digestive Enzymes and 2 caps of Vitamin B-12 in 8oz of water.
4. Around 4 PM: 2 caps of OPC-3, 1 cap Maximum ORAC, 1 cap Isochrome and 1 cap Calcium Plus in 10oz of water.
5. At dinner: 2 caps of Digestive Enzymes with 4oz of water.
6. Just before retiring for the evening: 2 to 4oz of Aloe.
In less than two weeks at taking the above regimen of nutrients, symptoms from UC diminished to the point where he began weaning himself off of prednisone (1 5MG tablet, 3 times/day) followed by the Asacol (3 400MG tablets, 3 times/day) 2 weeks later.

I have more detail about his situation if you care to read in more detail. Please send me an email to ____@____.com and I'll send the info directly to you. It's too much detail to list here. Also, more info on each of these products can be ____@____.com.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.J.

answers from Dayton on

Dear B.,

My friend, B.,had UC an suffered with it for 40 years. She is a nurse and all the doctors didn't help. In less then 2 months Dr. Merkle has it under control. He isn't a magician but he uses tests and an approach that works. If you want I can get you B.'s phone so you can talk with her.

Web site is 3000health.com
office is 5785 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, 45429 ###-###-####

God Bless,

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing for Children by Weber
WHAT ARE WE FEEDING OUR KIDS? by Jacobson
Naturally Healthy Babies & Children by Romm

Best thing to do is EDUCATE YOURSELF for NATURAL HEALING. Don't know where you are located but there is a seminar in Fishers on Saturday, May 17 from 10-3 on Health & Wellness for CHILDREN. If you're any where even remotely close......I'd make every effort to be there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.D.

answers from Canton on

Hi. My daughter has had bowel issues and bleeding and we have had to use a special formula for her. I'm not sure what a ferrochel supplement is, so I don't know if you are currently using something like this or not. What we use is a formula called EO28 Splash. It comes in juice boxes and is fruit flavored. Grape is the best flavor. It is an elemental formula and is extremely easy to digest and can be used to provide all of someone's nutritional needs. It is very expensive, though. You can find out more if you are interested by going to Nutricia North America's website (just google that to find it.) They do provide form letters to send to your insurance and with a doctors recommendation you may get it covered by your insurance. We did. I wish you and your daughter the best! ~E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi B.,
Not sure if this would help in your situation but we are seeing Dr. Cheryl in Richfield. OH for Allergy Elimination (she combines a form of NAET and her own technique to eliminate allergies) she also can give you great ideas on what supplements to use and what should be avoided until the problem foods can be given again.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Hey...you must be very patient! I know of a great line of vitamins and supplements .....It is the Nutrilite line ....everything is organic and processed by them.....you can find the supplements on www.slizaldeqhealthbeauty.com

Hope this helps!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Columbus on

From the book "Mangosteen Desk Reference" on "ulcerative colitis" by Dr. Kenneth Finsand: "...mangosteen has wonderful anti-inflammatory capabilities and can counteract the deficiencies presented by fatty-acid imbalance. Any fungal activity in the intestinal tract, bacterial oerload, or parasitic condition can cause ulcerative colitis...Mangosteen is my choice above all else because it does all that is needed to heal the gut of its woes. Make sure you drink it on a daily basis." He goes on to recommend adults start with 6 oz a day and then reduce to 3 and children are usually half of that--so start with 3 oz a day and then reduce to 1.5 oz a day. I can get you the best mangosteen juice available at cost. Please contact me if you are interested. You sound like you're doing a great job of researching natural helps. Good for you! :-) ~~L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Dayton on

I had ulceritive colitis for 40 + years. Nothing helped. I spent weeks of my life getting blood transfusions and when I was pregnant spent the last month in the hospital.

For years I had a friend who told me about Dr. Van Merkle -I listened, smiled and said ok, but never persued it. In a business setting on my way for yet another transfusion, I met Dr. Merkle. I decided to try his plan and not go into the hospital - my physician was horrified. But within i month I stopped bleeding for the first time since I was 9 years old. In addition, I developed epilepsy at 40 and the supplements helped the seizures also.

Please understand, I am a degreed RN, have worked in hospital operating rooms for years and am not easily convinced of anything outside the realm of "traditional medicine". However, the program Dr. Merkle put me on has had lasting effects. I feel like everyone who does not have colitis feels - for the first time in my life. I am not facing a colostmy because of the toll on my lower intestine, my colonoscopy was perfect and I feel like no matter what health issues I may face in the coming years I will not have to face transfusions before anything else.

Please call Dr. Merkle or go to his website. Your child does not have to live with UC and all the problems you have not experienced yet.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am a Shaklee Independent Distributor. Shaklee provides food supplements and other natural alternatives for better health. I am listing some suggestions below for ulcerative colitis and I can also recommend a natural doctor that is a leader in the industry and offers a complimentary first consultation. Shaklee has been a leader in the natural health industry for over 50 years and also offers a health practitioners website for you and your doctor. If you would like more information about Shaklee and the products, you may contact me or look at my website www.naturalandsafe.com . I also have additional resources I would be happy to share with you.

Ulcerative colitis may be addressed through a nutritional program designed to prevent the occurrence and extent of inflammatory responses. It appears that
as one addresses the issue of intestinal permeability, ulcerative colitis is often brought into remission. Food has been a suspect in the etiology of ulcerative colitis. When a person has developed an allergy or a sensitivity to a
food, the body launches an immune response against it when it comes into contact with the intestinal wall. It may also result from an allergic sensitivity to certain foods, especially milk, wheat and eggs.

Consider the following nutrition guidelines:
Keep a food diary to see if you can discover which foods aggravate and which foods improve your condition. It may be that a few specific foods are causing most of the problems.

Eat a low-carbohydrate diet, with lots of vegetables and sufficient protein.

Baked or steamed fish, skinless chicken and turkey are probably safe.

Fibre in the form of brown rice, barley and oats should be tried, but avoid wheat. Also ensure fibre from vegetables, although if eating them raw aggravates the symptoms, you could steam or bake them.

Eat plenty of garlic if possible.

Eat fruit away from other foods.

Use soy milk or rice milk instead of cows milk.

Drink at least 1½ litres or more of clean spring or filtered water (not chlorinated tap water which kills your good bacteria). You need this water to replace that lost with diarrhea.

Vegetable juices, especially cabbage, are also good.

Avoid fat and fried oils.

Avoid dairy produce.

Avoid caffeine, sugar and soft drinks.

Avoid red meat and processed food.

DURING A FLARE-UP, eat only soft foods until the pain has subsided. Liquidized vegetables with linseeds might make a good choice. A large glass of water at room temperature or warmer can be helpful.

The following health supplements should be considered:
Boswellia is a little-known herb that may reduce inflammation in the colon. Shaklee Pain Relief Complex would be a good choice.

Probiotics (friendly bacteria) needed for both good bowel and colon health.

Aloe Vera herb that helps heal the colon and intestines. Multi-Mineral, vitamin B complex, magnesium, calcium, chromium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, and multi enzyme, all serve to help people with ulcerative colitis. The nutrients
contained in a daily supplement are needed for good general health and well being. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant protects the mucous membranes that become inflamed with ulcerative colitis and it also helps in healing. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that provides healing and has been shown to help prevent bowel cancer. Garlic herb that has a natural healing ability on the colon. Vitamin B complex is needed
for breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates as well as good digestion. EFA's are important for protecting the lining of the colon and anti-inflammation associated with colitis. Fatty acids are found in omega fatty acids from
fish and plant sources. Low intake of magnesium has been linked to ulcerative colitis. Calcium is an important companion to magnesium. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and it promotes healing of mucous membranes. Alfalfa very important for healing the intestines.

Individuals with ulcerative colitis have more frequent relapses when they consume meat, especially red & processed meat, and eggs. The relapse, is from the sulfur compounds found in these animal foods.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Toledo on

B.
My name is S. and I am a Shaklee Distributor. We have had remarkable results with our probiotic system in the area of colitis and other digestive issues. We have been proven to be the best on the market. If you are interested in more info please go to my website and click on healthy you and follow whwere you need to go. www.livingwithsolutions.com I think if you are serious about getting help we are probably the only company on the market that can give you relief naturally. Please research for youself. Good Luck S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Evansville on

Im sorry your child is going through all of this. I would definitly recommend increasing her fiber intake. Also, I recommend you trying renew lotion. This product is great for eczema. My niece has this as well, and I have applied it to her skin and it helped clear it up really well. I get this product from an Online discount store. Let me know if you would like more information on this. I would love to help your precious child. My youngest is 6, so I can relate when your child is ill or irritated by something. As a mother we want to do anything and everything to help our little ones.
God Bless.
D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.E.

answers from Columbus on

B.,
I'm very intrigued by your post because my 8 year old daughter was thought to have ulcerative colitis, now they're not sure. In March they did a colonoscopy/endoscopy and found that the lower portion of her colon was ver inflammed. However, when the pathology report came back it was inconclusive. She's been on Asacol since then and has had no more incidence of bleeding or mucus in her bowels. What intrigues me even more is that my daughter also has a ton of food allergies. At about 3 weeks old we realized that she was allergic to milk and then at one found out that she was allergic to eggs, wheat, soy, milk, and peanuts along with several others. Since she began having the bowel problems I've wondered if there was a connection between that and her allergies. In June she goes off of the Asacol, so we'll see how everything goes after that. She's been seen by a GI doctor at Children's Hospital.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Columbus on

There is a book called Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gloria Gottschall. She talks of different supplements and also different receipes that could be very helpful. She also had a young child that was discussed with UC...she followed this specific diet with her child and it worked well. I too have followed some of her suggestions and they have worked well for me as well. I was discussed with UC as an adult and was looking for anything that would help this book gave me some really good ideas and some great tips.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Fort Wayne on

anyone with bowel problems should eliminate all gluten and dairy--gluten is especally a big problem for so many people.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Cleveland on

I have ulcerative colitis. I take Lialda as my maintenance medication and I have not had any side effects at all. I find that I need to steer clear of dairy. That is really the only food that irritates it. I switched to soy milk and soy cheese. Every once in a while I will have real cheese, but only as a treat. That is the only food modification that my doctor suggested and it has worked wonders. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Columbus on

Hi B.!

So sorry that you have a 5 yr old to suffer with ulcerative colitis, my heart goes out to you both! A very dear friend of mine, who is also a Physician Assistant suffered for about 5 years and basically lived on meat, only a few veggies and medication (none of which helped) until a mutual friend told her about USANA Health Sciences. Within one week of taking the high quality nutritionals, she no longer suffered. She has been taking them for over a year and a half without a flare up, most importantly, she's able to eat a normal, balanced diet again!
So, B., I can't stress this enough, but I encourage you to do your research on how these products may help your daughter have a good quality of life. Dr. Ray Strand is a specialist in nutritional medicine and his website is www.bionutrition.org. The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle MacWilliam is another resource...Third party study that ranks over 1500 name brand supplements! Who's has at the top? You guessed it, USANA...even for the children's supplements!

Feel free to send me a message should you have any other questions!

Blessings,
D.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches