Diverticulitis :: Healthy Lifestyles and Natural Weight Loss Information

Diverticulitis

Symptoms

Multiple diverticula are small pouches which develop in weakened areas of the large intestine. They usually do not cause any discomfort unless they become infected and inflamed, which causes an irritation in the bowels. Abdominal *pain and tenderness result, usually in the lower left side. If severe, *fever, *diarrhea alternating with *constipation, spasms, bleeding and *anemia are also present. In rare cases, the diverticula grow large. Since abdominal pain can be due to a large number of causes, other possible disorders should be ruled out.

Causes

Diverticulitis usually occurs after age forty as a result of weakened tissue and pressure against the intestinal walls due to aging. Inflammation occurs when these pockets fill with matter. As in all diseases of the digestive tract, diet is largely responsible for the state of the intestinal tissues and for inflammation. A fiber-free diet full of sweets and refined foods, including white flour, pasta and rice, is particularly hard on the digestive tract. Fresh, raw vegetables are rich in fiber and should be a main constituent of every diet in place of processed, canned or frozen foods. Hard stools and chronic *constipation from lack of fiber cause constant pressure against the bowel walls and weaken intestinal tissue. Infection is more common in older people whose *immune systems have been compromised through long-term drug therapies.

Nutrition

A diet high in fiber and liquids will keep the colon healthy and prevent the chronic *constipation which is usually the underlying cause of diverticulitis. Eliminate refined sugar and white-flour products and instead consume unrefined whole grains, including brown rice, and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods provide the fiber and nutrients needed for proper digestion that are lacking in refined foods.

Celery and spinach, eaten raw or as juices, cleanse, heal and promote regular bowel movements. Raw cabbage is an excellent healing food for diverticulitis. Its coarse cell structure requires thorough chewing which initiates a beneficial chain reaction in the lower digestive organs, stimulating the inert large intestine and thus alleviating chronic constipation. Eat fruits and vegetables raw as often as possible to preserve the enzymes which are destroyed by cooking and to ensure complete and efficient digestion.

Flax seeds and oats are particularly rich in mucilaginous fiber, which efficiently binds and eliminates undigested material and toxins in the large intestine. Flax seeds are also a good source of the essential fatty acids linoleic acid and especially omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, which are used by the body to make anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Whole grains and green, leafy vegetables are a good source of B vitamins, a lack of which often leads to constipation. Eating nutritional yeast daily, spread on wholegrain bread or added to salad dressing, will supply B vitamins.

Natural, plain yogurt containing live culture or other lactic-acid fermented foods such as sauerkraut will help fight the infection of diverticulitis and *candidiasis, another common cause of constipation, by promoting the growth of friendly bacteria in the colon. Garlic kills infections and rebuilds intestinal flora.

Nutritional Supplements

Lactobacillus acidophilus combined with other friendly bacteria is highly recommended to re-establish the natural bacteria in the bowels that exist to fend off illness. They are also needed to produce several B vitamins, which are important for digestion and are often missing in people with diverticulitis. Add B complex vitamins to combat stressors.
Green food supplements, such as barley grass or wheatgrass, provide minerals and other nutrients needed for cell renewal. The essential fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), in evening primrose oil is needed to build prostaglandins which act as anti-inflammatories. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids is important in fighting any infection. Vitamins A and E also assist healing.

Daily Dosages

Lactobacillus acidophilus combination, 3 capsules or 1 tsp.

Vitamin B complex, 100 mg

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg
Green foods supplement, 3 tsp. in water

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily

Vitamin A, 10,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies effectively relieve symptoms of diverticulitis.

The silica in horsetail helps rebuild connective tissue and reduce inflammation. Take 2 cups of tea or 3 capsules of aqueous horsetail extract daily for two weeks, then one week off.

Add a dash of cayenne to herbal teas or soups to aid healing.

Yucca reduces the tendency to develop accumulations of undigested toxic waste.

Drink 1 cup of camomile tea before retiring to heal inflammations.

Homeopathy

Consult a physician or an experienced homeopath if the symptoms of diverticulitis are severe. If applicable, see the remedies listed under diarrhea and stomach pain.

Tissue Salts

Certain problems associated with diverticulitis can be relieved with the tissue salt remedies in these sections: anemia, constipation, diarrhea, fever and stomach pain.

External/Physical Therapies

Avoid constipation by keeping stools soft with plenty of fiber, or olive oil enemas.

Walking is the best exercise to activate bowel movements and avoid constipation. Walk daily for at least thirty minutes and massage the calves vigorously various times during the day.

With fecal matter impaction, warm mineral oil or olive oil retention enemas can help soften and move the stools.

Reflexology

Work on the reflexes of the colon, sigmoid colon, lower spine, solar plexus and adrenal glands, as illustrated.

Available Brand Name Products: Nutrition

Inca Rice - Golden Quinoa (Artesian Acres)

Available Brand Name Products: Nutritional Supplements

Udo’s Choice Probiotics: Super Five Chewable tablets (Flora)

Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)

E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)

Ester (Natural Factors)

Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)

Megazyme (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors)

Available Brand Name Products: Herbal Remedies

Eucarbon (Flora)

FloraSil (Flora)

Bio K (Greens+)

Silica Extract 500mg (Natural Factors)

Barley Grass (Nature’s Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Yucca (Nature’s Herbs)

Garlic Plus FOS (Quintessence)

Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche and Zoltan Rona

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