Avoid These 9 Supplements if You Have Ulcerative Colitis
3. High-Dose Vitamin C
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Neither vitamin C or magnesium have to be totally off-limits when you have UC. But you should talk with your gastroenterologist before taking them to come up with a plan. “If there’s a reason to take magnesium or vitamin C, I’d stick with a reasonable dose and back off if it starts causing [gastrointestinal] symptoms,” Dam says.
4. Oral Iron Supplements
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But if you suspect that you’re low, you should have your levels confirmed with a blood test and talk with your doctor about the best way to bring your iron back up, says Dr. Rao.[10]
5. Fiber Supplements
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But experts generally agree that it’s better to try to meet your fiber needs through foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans or other legumes.[12]
“[Fiber supplements] can cause bloating, gas, and cramping, especially if you add too much too quickly,” Dam says.
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6. Probiotics
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“The problem is that probiotics aren’t all the same, and we don’t have strong evidence to routinely recommend them for UC,” says Dam.
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7. Immune-Boosting Herbs
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There’s limited evidence showing how immune-boosting herbs impact people with inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions, and it’s possible that they could interact with your UC medications, Dam says. “If there isn’t a clear benefit, I don’t see much reason to take that chance,” he adds.
8. Supplements That May Increase Bleeding
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That doesn’t mean that everyone with UC needs to avoid them, but if you’re experiencing rectal bleeding from a flare, they might make the problem even worse.In that case, “I’d want to review everything they’re taking and probably avoid nonessential supplements that could add to the bleeding risk,” Dam says.
9. Supplements With Sugar Alcohols
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