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Hi everyone,
This month's topic is one that has recently hit close to
home - diverticulitis. My wife, the normally healthy and robust one in the family, developed acute right
side abdominal pain near the end of July. I
took her to the hospital where she had emergency exploratory surgery for suspected appendicitis around midnight.
At 2:00 a.m.
the surgeon told me that they had found a 3-4 cm inflammatory mass that had perforated
her colon. They wound up removing approximately 1/3 of her large intestine.
Two days later the biopsy report came back - acute diverticulitis!
We were both
shocked as she really had no prior warning nor any serious health problems. I'm happy to say that 6 weeks later, she's doing very well and recovering
nicely although some dietary changes had to be made. So let's discuss this
affliction called diverticulitis a bit more... |
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The media spends a considerable amount of time promoting over-the-counter and prescription medications to cover up digestive symptoms associated with heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and acid reflux.
However little time is spent addressing another ailment that affects 1 in 10
people over 40 and half the people over age 60 in the United States -
diverticulosis; a condition of the large intestine.
Normally, the internal surface of the colon aka large intestine is
very smooth. A large intestine that has diverticulosis is marked with irregularities
or small, saccular, musosal herniations through the muscular wall of the colon called diverticula.
Evidence suggests that a modern, highly refined low-residue diet plays an important role in
the formation of diverticula. The muscular areas of the colon are strained from trying to move along stools that
are too dry and hard resulting from a lack of high water content food and natural grains. This results in bulges in the colon wall, just like potholes in a road.
Diverticulosis was virtually unheard of until the early 1900's. That is the time when we started adding low-fiber, nutritionally
weak processed foods into our diet like refined sugar, white flour, and
boxed/canned "foods" that are loaded with chemicals and preservatives.
Without the benefit of all the natural fiber from whole grains,
fresh fruits and vegetables, the colon winds up being strained and diverticulosis can result.
Typically those with diverticulosis experience cramps, bloating and constipation, but many have little or no symptoms...until diverticulosis turns into diverticulitis.
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Diverticulitis results when the saccular areas of the colon become inflamed. This can cause colon bleeding, abscesses, and complete blockage of the colon; all potential life-threatening situations possibly requiring surgery.
People with diverticulitis are usually told to avoid eating foods like nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, etc., because they might get "stuck" in their intestinal sacs and cause an attack. Unfortunately, this advice causes many diverticulitis sufferers to avoid healthy foods that are essential to the body.
These foods are primarily alkaline while naturally and gently cleansing the colon. Even the Mayo Clinic acknowledges that raw vegetables, nuts
and seeds are GOOD for people with diverticulitis and diverticulosis.
What you WON'T hear from the Mayo Clinic or most other doctors
is that when you eat good combinations of foods that allow for complete,
thorough digestion your wastes pass
easily through your colon, even if you have Diverticulitis.
So obviously this all has to do with food choices. Complete digestion does not occur if too many acid-forming foods and combinations are consumed. Food that isn't digested well doesn't glide through the intestines
like it should and over time it builds up and diverticulosis can result.
While genetics play a certain role in predisposing one to particular health problems, it's important to know that the biggest factors that determine health are diet and exercise habits.
Proper food combinations and foods with high water and fiber content will allow more complete digestion. Care must be taken however in the manner they are re-introduced into the body if you are suffering from diverticulosis. |
Small amounts of nuts, seeds or
raw vegetables can be eaten making sure to chew them thoroughly along with all foods. Amounts can be increased as healing continues. In this manner the nutritional benefits will be derived along with natural colon cleansing to help prevent further diverticulitis attacks. It's the waste material that gets trapped in the colon and can become infected. Therefore keeping the colon nice and clean ensures that no wastes get
stuck, and inflammation is not an issue.
Probiotics play an important role in lining the intestinal walls, further breaking down wastes
and preventing toxins from leaking into the bloodstream. Acid-forming diets contribute to killing beneficial bacteria in the colon. It's important to repopulate it with beneficial flora.
Please don't settle for cheap OTC probiotic brands in pills and capsules. Most of the essential bacteria in these products is not viable. You cannot expect your body to be healthy if you feed it food that requires too much
acid to break it down, processed, chemical-laden food, poorly combined meals and cheap, dead, dry, synthetic supplements.
Hope this has helped shed some light on this common but not-well-understood topic.
Thank you once again for reading!
Until next month, I remain yours in good health!
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike |
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