Doctors of diverticulosis patients may need to rethink dietary recommendations
Time to Reconsider
Industrialized country? Check.
Processed foods make up a large part of the average person’s diet? Check.
If those two factors describe where you live (and I’m pretty sure they do), then you and your fellow citizens are at high risk of developing diverticulitis.
And, if you’re also getting on in years, well, add another checkmark.
Yes, unfortunately that’s also a risk factor.
But diverticulitis is the flash point when you’re bent over in pain and calling 911. Before that, there’s diverticulosis. That’s the warning sign that’s often missed – unless your doctor spots the problem during a colonoscopy.
In diverticulosis, small pockets occur at weak points in the colon wall. These weak points develop when a low-fiber diet makes the bowels work harder and puts excess pressure on the colon.
Whole grain products can cause problems too. 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.
Many people are also sensitive to wheat gluten. They react to the consumption of pasta, bread, and cereal with symptoms that may include anemia, fatigue, insomnia, and digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and…diverticulosis.
Then the trouble starts.
Surprising new advice for patients
Diverticulitis occurs when a food particle gets lodged in a diverticulosis pocket. This may prompt inflammation, infection, fever, abdominal pain, and cramping. In severe cases bleeding may occur.
For many years, doctors have advised diverticulosis patients to avoid eating nuts, popcorn, and foods that contain small seeds, based on the theory that small bits of these foods might find their way into a diverticulosis pocket and set off a bout of diverticulitis.
But this food restriction is only based on theory. To put the theory to a test, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine searched medical histories for more than 47,000men. They found 801 cases of diverticulitis and 383 cases of diverticular bleeding.
A comparison of subjects’ dietary habits showed that nut and popcorn consumption didn’t increase risk of diverticulitis. In fact, intake of these foods was actually linked to LOWER risk.
In the Journal of the American Medical Association the authors write: “The recommendation to avoid these foods to prevent diverticular complications should be reconsidered.”
But a word of caution to diverticulosis patients: Talk to your M.D. These results need further study before doctors can comfortably advise their diverticulosis patents that it’s okay to enjoy an occasional bowl of popcorn or a Cracker Jacks binge.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Source:
“Nut, Corn, and Popcorn Consumption and the Incidence of Diverticular Disease” Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 300, No. 8, 8/27/08, jama.ama-assn.org
