Yet, patients also must be careful with raw fruits and vegetables, which might aggravate symptoms. If you cannot receive an adequate amount of folic acid through dietary measures, supplements can be prescribed. The usual dose is one milligram daily. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids may cause the body to eliminate potassium at a greater rate, leading to a deficiency in some patients. Thus, you may need to increase the potassium in your diet.
Some food sources are whole and skim milk, bananas, prunes, and raisins.
If patients taking long-term corticosteroids develop a potassium deficiency, supplements can be prescribed. Corticosteroids also may suppress calcium absorption, in addition to directly decreasing bone formation. Thus, patients who take these drugs have an increased risk of developing a calcium deficiency. Long-term corticosteroid use increases this risk, which, in turn, raises the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium deficiency is a key concern in children with IBD, since it could lead to a stunting or retardation of growth.