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Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both disorders of the intestine that can cause pain and diarrhea. With Crohn's disease, any portion of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, can be affected.
Crohn's disease affects men and women equally. Most patients are diagnosed when they are teenagers or young adults. Often, the first signs of Crohn's disease are ignored, especially if the only sign is mild, watery diarrhea, which can happen on and off for years.
Be aware that herbs and supplements are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Do not assume if a product is considered "natural" that it is harmless. Many substances do not have sound science behind them to prove their safety or how well they work. Manufacturers may not be giving you what you think you are getting, or the way the substance is processed may be unhealthy or unsafe.
With many of these products, doctors do not know enough about them. Herbs and supplements may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications or can worsen your health conditions. Consider that some supplements, such as vitamin A, may be unsafe when taken in mega doses.
It is strongly advised that you talk to your doctor before taking any supplement or herb. If you are taking an herb or supplement and notice any unusual symptoms, stop taking the substance immediately and talk to your doctor.
| Supplement |
Claims |
Possible interactions, side effects and dangers |
What the experts say |
| Probiotics (live bacteria including Lactobacillus acidophilus) |
A cure for Crohn's disease. |
May be difficult to tolerate in people who have allergies to dairy products. May cause gas and stomach discomfort in others when first using this, but these symptoms generally go away. |
Probiotics do not cure Crohn's disease. They may help with the digestive tract, although this has not been proven. The natural bacteria in your digestive tract may not need outside help. Don't use supplements. Chances are the live bacteria cannot survive in this form. Your best bet is getting probiotics in yogurt, soy milk or other foods. |
| DHEA |
Can help treat Crohn's disease. |
DHEA may promote cancer. It may also cause facial hair in women, male pattern baldness, deepening voice and acne. Some people may even be allergic to DHEA. Few side effects have been reported when using DHEA at recommended doses. Most common side effects include headache, fatigue and nasal congestion. Rarer side effects include sleeping problems, delusions and mania. |
Hormones are powerful substances. Early research suggests DHEA supplements may be safe in the short-term for Crohn's disease. However, researchers say it is too soon to tell if DHEA can help or hurt you. Plus, there is no guarantee that what you think you are buying has DHEA in it. Your best bet is not to take this. |
This article was reviewed and updated
June 2007.
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