Cause: Unknown, but genetic predisposition exists. It may be autoimmune in nature. Dietary factors have also been implicated, as have infectious agents and even antibiotics

Useful Supplements: Broad spectrum Multiple vitamins, Vitamins B12, C and E, flax seed oil, folic acid, glutamine, omega–3 fatty acids, probiotics, zinc.

Useful Herbs: Marshmallow root, slippery elm, Cat’s claw; possibly echinacea, goldenseal and cranesbill.

Further information: Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, and has many similar features of ulcerative colitis. Whereas ulcerative colitis preferentially affects the colon, Crohn’s Disease can cause inflammation anywhere within the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease is characterized by ulceration of the lining of the intestine and thickening of the entire wall of the involved area. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia and abdominal masses. In children, it may often manifest as chronic abdominal complaints in a child whose growth appears delayed. Complications include abscess formation, intestinal obstruction, fistulas (connection between segments of bowel or between the bowel and another organ, including the skin), and malnutrition. Malnutrition occurs when the inflamed small intestine is unable to adequately absorb protein and fat, which leads to a condition called malabsorption.
Crohn’s Disease appears to be more common among families of Jewish ancestry, and most often appears during adolescence and early adulthood. There is a second peak in occurrence in the elderly.
Crohn’s disease can usually be controlled by medication and dietary changes, but in severe cases with complications (see above)surgery may be required to remove the affected area. Foods that irritate the digestive tract – usually spicy or strongly flavored foods, as well as dairy – should be avoided. There is some evidence that diets high in refined sugar and animal protein may worsen or even cause the inflammation of Crohn’s disease, so a diet lower in fat and higher in unrefined carbohydrate may be helpful. However, wheat products can be very irritating to an inflamed intestine, and should be avoided or used cautiously.

The following supplements and herbs have been shown effective in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease:

Vitamin B12 is often deficient in Crohn’s Disease patients, as the disease interferes with the absorption of this vitamin.¹ Supplementation may be needed to help restore depleted B12 stores.

Fish Oil has been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of relapse of Crohn’s Disease.² Patients already in remission who take Fish Oil regularly have been shown to have a far lower recurrence rate than those who do not.

Glutamine is the primary nutrient source for intestinal cells, and has been shown to improve the integrity of the intestinal cells in several conditions.

Folic acid is often deficient in patients with Crohn’s disease, especially if taking a medication called azulfidine.

Vitamins C and E may be helpful because of their antioxidant activity. Multiple Vitamins are useful because of the decrease absorption of nutrients that occur, and can go undected

Slippery elm and marshmallow root are demulcent herbs, and soothe the irritated mucus membranes lining the intestinal tract.

Echinacea and goldenseal may be considered because of their modulating effects on the immune system

Anecdotally, Cat’s Claw is also believed to be effective in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease; to date, however, no studies have been done.

References:

¹Goodman, K.I., & Salt, W.B., II. Postgrad Med 88: 147-50, 153-55, 157-58, 1990.
²Belluzzi, A. "Effect of an enteric-coated fish-oil preparation on relapses in Crohn's disease," N Engl J Med, 334:1557-60, 1996.
³ Murray, Michael and Pzzorno, Joseph. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine; 2nd ed. Prima Health: 1998
⁴Firschein, Richard. The Nutriceutical Revolution. Riverhead Books. 1998