Best Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements for Crohn’s Disease

Magnesium. This mineral affects your energy, body protein, and muscle contractions. It also plays a role in bone and a heart health. You may have low magnesium from inflammation, chronic diarrhea, or removal of your jejunum or ileum. Foods with magnesium include beans, fortified cereal, green and leafy vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

Potassium. Your body needs it for healthy muscles, cells, and blood pressure. Crohn’s symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea may lower your potassium level. Foods rich in potassium include beans, carrots, cucumbers, dairy products, eggplant, fish, leafy greens, potatoes, poultry, pumpkins, tomatoes, and zucchini.

Vitamin B12. If you’ve had surgery or problems with your ileum, your doctor may suggest a vitamin B12 supplement to keep your nerve and blood cells healthy. Foods with vitamin B12 include beef, clams, fortified cereal, liver, milk, trout, and tuna.

Vitamin D. Most doctors recommend a vitamin D supplement to help your body absorb calcium and control inflammation in your intestine. It’s possible that vitamin D may also help you feel better. Foods high in vitamin D include cod liver oil, egg yoks, fortified cereal, fortified yogurt, milk, orange juice, salmon, sardines, and tuna.

Vitamins A, E, and K. Your body needs these vitamins for healthy cells, blood, and bones, and to fight infection. Inflammation makes them harder to absorb. Foods with vitamin A include broccoli, carrots, and red peppers. Foods with vitamin E include almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. Foods with vitamin K include broccoli, collard greens, and soybeans.

Zinc. Your body needs it to fight off bacteria and viruses. Crohn’s symptoms like severe diarrhea, short bowel syndrome, and small intestine disease may lower your zinc level. Foods rich in zinc include: beef, bran, fortified grains, legumes, nuts, pork, poultry, shellfish, and whole grains.