Supplements

I After really feeling like I was getting on top of things, the cracks have started to show. In my weaker times, I would have completely crumbled, but now I'm in a much better frame of mind and am willing to fight against it. Strong mind, strong body!

Where I have been going to the toilet more frequently and not sleeping so well it has had a big impact on my general wellbeing. I'm not absorbing nutrients from food properly and also becoming dehydrated from going to the toilet so often so I really have been finding it tough. Even 12 hour sleeps haven't helped! I've tried exercising like I had in the past as sometimes this gave me an energy boost, but lately I haven't even had the energy to sit up let alone exercise. As it's not as easy for me to just have more fruit and veg, I decided to look into supplements and what I could take that would help me. I'm writing this blog post to show you all things that I take that I find helpful. That does not mean they work for everyone, or are a cure for Crohns I just understand the feeling of desperation sufferers feel, so if anyone would like to try any of the things I take they can.

Multivitamin	The multivitamins I use I bought from Holland & Barrett and they include Iron. I find these ones effective and you have to take one a day. Where I can’t absorb nutrients from food properly, these multivitamins really help. Although, don’t be fooled to think that is all you need, you still need to have a healthy balanced diet.
Probio7	Probiotics work to replace the good bacteria in your gut. As Crohns disease is an autoimmune illness, it attacks your immune system and destroys all bacteria in your gut including the good which is what we need. There are many probiotic products out there but not all are that efficient. I used to take Yakult drinks daily, but these actually only work for your stomach. As they are in liquid form, they don’t make it all the way to your large bowel as it gets totally absorbed in the stomach. That’s why probiotic tablets are best as they make it all the way down before they dissolve then get to work. I have taken Bio-Kult tablets in the past and found these really efficient but recently I ran out and I came across Probio7 in Holland & Barrett. Each capsule provides 10 billion bacteria (from 8 different types) 1 billion S. Boulardi and two types of fibre. These are to be taken twice a day with food.
Floradix	Floradix come highly recommended to me by many people and is really meant to help with fatigue sufferers. It comes in liquid & tablet form so I went for tablets as it is easier to travel with. They contain iron, vitamins B2, B6, B12 and C which contribute to the reduction of tiredness and to normal energy yielding metabolism. You have to take this twice a day and they recommend using for 20 consecutive days to see real results. I have only been taking them for a week, but so far things seem promising.
Lactase	I came across these Lactase tablets in Holland & Barrett. Lactase is an enzyme produced by many organisms. It is located in the brush border of the small intestine of humans. When people have a ‘lactose intolerance’ they don’t have the lactase enzyme in their intestine. Lactase is essential to complete the digestion of milk products as it breaks down lactase; the sugars in dairy. So the idea of these tablets is that they are taken when one is about to consume a product containing lactose as it puts the lactase enzyme in your body therefore making the digestion process possible. These tablets have been reviewed thoroughly and are effective for lactose intolerant individuals. I wanted them desperately to take to California with me so I could enjoy ‘Fro-Yo’ in the sun!
Vitamin C	As I am on Azathioprine, this means that my immune system is very low (as it is an immunosuppressant drug) so I pick up everything that goes around!! Vitamin C is what helps to build up your immunity so I take a 1000mg tablet of vitamin C each morning to try and combat my low immune system. These ones I take are from Holland & Barratt. I also take the vitamin C effervescent tablets dissolved in water if I am feeling particularly under the weather.
Peppermint Oil	Peppermint has de-bloating properties so I often drink peppermint tea, but as an additional help I take peppermint oil. These come in capsules and liquid form but I take the capsules as they are easier. I take two a day with meals but really they can be taken as and when. If you are feeling bloated take one and they should help.
Aloe Vera	I started taking Aloe Vera gel a long time ago when I was first experiencing digestive problems and I think it really has helped. It’s a completely natural product and helps to cleanse you inside-out. I found it extremely beneficial for my skin whilst I was on steroids and really do recommend this product. The taste isn’t very pleasant, but I take this as a shot in the mornings so it’s over and done with ASAP. To get rid of the taste, you can bite on a lemon afterwards. It’s a health-freak’s version of a tequila shot!!
L Glutamine	L Glutamine is a muscle repair product and most gym lovers and body builders use it. It works to repair muscle that’s been over worked or needs some help. The colon is one of the largest working muscles in the body, and IBD sufferers could definitely do with a colon repairing product so this is where L Glutamine comes in. It can be added to anything, but I take mine with a glass of water (it comes in powder form)) and have it once a day. It can be brought from www.myproteinworld.com

 


























































































































These supplements all add up! So my advice would be to go into Holland & Barrett when they have a sale on. They often do the 1 penny sale where you buy one product and get the second for a penny, which is great. They also have a rewards card, and when you build up points you get money off. Recently I had £24 to spend in there and it really made a difference. If anyone has any questions about the supplements in this post, please feel free to ask me.

XOXO Crohnie Girl