|
Home >
Research Department >
Health
Concerns Articles >
Diverticulitis |
|
Health
Concerns Articles |
|
|
DIVERTICULITIS
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
|
INTESTINAL HEALTH |
|
|
|
Eliminating toxins
and waste matter
effectively is
crucial for
intestinal health.
When this doesn't
happen, disorders
like diverticulitis
can result. |
|
|
Often
painful, and sometimes
requiring surgery,
diverticulitis can be
supported with the right
diet and supplements... |
|
The intestine is essentially
a tube with and absorptive
layer on the inside and
muscles around the outside.
As we age the muscle can
weaken and the tissue can
form pouches, or diverticula.
If these pouches become
filled with fecal matter
they get infected and
inflamed, causing
diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is usually
the result of low dietary
fibre, high dietary sugar,
chronic constipation or
intestinal infections. |
|
The symptoms of
diverticulitis are abdominal
pain and tenderness, usually
in the lower left quadrant,
fever, alternating
constipation and diarrhea,
intestinal spasms and
bleeding. Conventional
treatment of diverticulitis
is usually limited to
controlling infections with
antibiotics. Be sure to
replenish helpful bacteria
with probiotics after
antibiotic therapy.
|
|
What you can do to
help |
|
- |
EAT LOTS OF
FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES |
|
- |
DO NOT EAT
SEEDS;
THEY CAN GET
STUCK INSIDE
THE POUCHES |
|
- |
TAKE
ACIDOPHILUS |
|
- |
DURING A
FLARE UP,
TAKE HERBS
LIKE
ECHINACEA OR
GOLDEN SEAL
TO FIGHT
INFECTION |
|
- |
TAKE
SUPPLEMENTS
TO ENHANCE
THE HEALTH
OF THE
INTESTINAL
LINING |
|
- |
TAKE A FIBER
SUPPLEMENT |
|
|
DID YOU KNOW?
(DIVERTICULITIS
FACTS) |
|
- |
FOR MOST
PEOPLE IT IS
PREVENTABLE |
|
- |
IF A
DIVERTICULAE
BURSTS, IT
CAN CAUSE
SEVERE
PROBLEMS
REQUIRING
IMMEDIATE
MEDICAL
HELP. |
|
|
Lifestyle changes to help
with diverticulitis include
regular exercise, stress
reduction and stopping
smoking. Never suppress the
urge to defecate. Do not
strain to pass stool because
it can contribute to the
formation of diverticula.
Minimize straining by
ensuring that your thighs
are parallel to the floor
when sitting on the toilet.
Use a footstool if
necessary. Abdominal
massage and hydrotherapy can
be helpful to regulate bowel
movements. |
|
Assess your diet for
irritating substances that
may contribute to
diverticulitis. Perform
intestinal cleansing to rid
the colon of build-up and
optimize its functioning.
Drink 8-10, 8oz glasses of
water each day. Start your
day with a bowel stimulating
glass of warm water with
lemon juice.
Consume a low fat and high
fibre (at least 30g a day)
diet. Include fresh fruits
(with skin) and vegetables,
prunes, figs, garlic and
well cooked brown rice in
your diet. Avoid grains,
seeds, nuts, dairy products,
sugar products, spicy food,
fats, and processed foods.
Use water-soluble fibres
like chicory root, oat bran
or apple pectin. Broil or
bake fish and meats instead
of frying. Steam vegetables
lightly.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
preventing and treating
diverticulitis. Adult doses
are given.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
|
|
SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
|
Fiber supplement |
As directed on label |
Use pure psyllium
husk powder.
Do not use flax.
|
|
Digestive enzymes |
As directed on
label. With
meals |
Help digestive food
and absorb nutrients
properly. |
|
Probiotics /
acidophilus |
As
directed |
Helps
to properly digest
foods. Limits
harmful bacteria in
the gut. Enhances
the immune system. |
|
glutamine |
1000-3000mg daily |
Helps repair damage
to the intestinal
lining. |
|
colostrum |
As directed on label |
Fights infection,
enhances health of
the intestines. |
|
Vitamin B complex |
100mg
three times daily |
Essential for
digestion and
nervous system
regulation. Use a
hypoallergenic
formula.
|
|
Essential fatty
acids |
As
directed |
Helps
to soften stool and
lubricate the
intestine. They are
anti-inflammatory. |
|
Water soluble fibre |
As
directed, take away
from meals and other
supplements with a
glass of water |
Prevents
constipation and the
build up of waste in
diverticula. |
|
Aloe vera juice |
½ a
cup morning and
night, 1tbsp daily
for maintenance |
Heals
the colon,
lubricates the
intestinal lining
and decreases pain. |
|
Also
beneficial for
DIVERTICULITIS: |
Multivitamins,
vitamin C, vitamin
A, vitamin E, beta
carotene, iron,
essential fatty
acids, pancreatin,
chlorophyll, evening
primrose oil,
medicinal clay,
aerobic oxygen,
quercitin,
L-glutamine,
alfalfa, colostrum,
garlic, licorice
root, slippery elm,
dandelion, papaya
and red clover. |
|
|
|
For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
|
|
|
|
All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
|