In the Pocket
In the Pocket
A friend of mine named Jim had his first colonoscopy at age 53. His doctor found no polyps, but this good news was tempered with some cautionary news as well: The colonoscopy had detected the early stages of diverticulosis – a condition in which small pockets occur at weak points in the colon wall.
About half of all people over the age of 60 develop diverticulosis, but many people are unaware they have this condition because there are usually no symptoms until diverticulosis turns into diverticulitis (also known as diverticular disease).
Then the problems begin.
The Modern age
The rise of diverticulitis cases throughout the 20th Century closely parallels the rise in consumption of processed foods that are stripped of natural fiber. This may be a coincidence, but researchers have also found that diverticulitis is most common in industrialized countries where processed foods make up a large part of the diet.
When dietary fiber intake is reduced, the bowels work harder to keep food moving. This puts excess pressure on the colon. Eventually, weak spots on the colon wall develop into diverticulosis pockets. If a food particle gets lodged in one of these pockets, infection and inflammation may prompt fever, abdominal pain and cramping, as well as constipation or diarrhea. In severe cases bleeding may occur.
The typical first line of defense in this case is a liquid diet and a round of antibiotics. Surgery is often necessary if the condition becomes chronic. But many doctors overlook the effectiveness of dietary detoxification procedures that focus on cleansing the colon. In some patients, a proper detox can successfully address diverticulitis without antibiotics or surgery.
Not just any fiber will do
Prevention of diverticulitis is fairly simple: Add more fiber to the diet. That’s what most doctors tell their patients and leave it at that. The problem here is that some high-fiber foods may actually make the problem worse.
In a report about diverticulitis on my local NBC affiliate here in Baltimore, a gastroenterologist pointed out that seeds and nuts might trigger diverticulitis. The seeds in blackberries, for instance, can easily cause problems. The doctor recommended a high-fiber diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables along with whole grain products.
But not all fruits and vegetables are ideal for people with diverticulosis. For instance, the seeds in tomatoes and cucumbers may cause problems for some patients. Whole grain products can cause problems too. UK nutritionist David Crawford warns that wheat and rye (along with dairy products) prompt mucous development in the digestive tract. Pressure on the colon wall increases when mucous builds up and solidifies.
And there’s one more problem with wheat products. Many people are sensitive to the gluten in wheat and don’t even know it. They react to the consumption of pasta, bread and cereal with symptoms that may include anemia, fatigue, sinusitis, insomnia, autoimmune problems and digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and diverticulitis.
Kicking out the toxins
As I mentioned above, the right type of detox diet may be able to help diverticulitis patients avoid antibiotics or even surgery. The trick is to find the detox method that’s the best fit for your needs.
HSI Panelist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S., has written extensively about the need to cleanse the liver and colon with detox diets – most recently in her book “The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet.” For those who are new to the concept of detoxification, this book can provide an overview of the importance of detox and how it’s done. (You can find more information on Dr. Gittleman’s web site: annlouise.com.)
If you’re interested in treating diverticulitis with a colon cleansing detox, talk to a healthcare practitioner who’s knowledgeable about natural detox methods and is also aware of the specifics of your condition.
