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600561 tn?1326845621

Diverticulosis: What are guidelines to prevent diverticulitis?

Has any research PROVEN what foods are recommended for people with diverticulosis?  Should we eat small meals several times a day?
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Avatar universal
Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  A diet high in fiber is recommended.  Also it is recommend to avoid seeds, nuts, and corn.
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600561 tn?1326845621
Colonoscopy done.  with a new anesthesia which all the medical staff was praising, I suddenly woke up and the procedure was over and my friend Etta was standing there.  Apparently everyone thought that I was awake when the Doc appeared...NOT but when I woke up, I was wide away; not one yawn and I have been going all day.  One polyp and will go back to have an internal hemorrhoid banded and killed.  Otherwise, nothing to report, happily and their hand out says basically that there are no rules for eating except fiber, fiber, fiber so i will take one of those supplements although i always think I'm a very healthy eater. Thanks again for corresponding.
Kate
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600561 tn?1326845621
Thanks.  I think that in the final analysis, we agree.  Thank you for taking time to help me with this problem.  Colonoscopy tomorrow.  Yea...
Kate
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Avatar universal
I have a couple things to say about that article.  First is that studies cannot prove causation (you need a randomized experiment to do that) so the idea that people that actually eat nuts, seeds, and popcorn do better, is pretty crazy.  Also, I know that after eating popcorn and seeds, I can later see it in my stool, so it doesn't get fully digested.  Also, there are way better sources of fiber than nuts, seeds, and popcorn.  My advice is: experiment with it and if you are doing okay and eating these things, then it is okay to continue eating them.  But coming from someone who is completely tube fed, avoiding nuts, seeds, and popcorn to possibly keep you healthier doesn't seem that bad.  When you said, "Each person may need to find out what is acceptable to the irritable bowel and deal with it that way", I agree with that 100%.
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600561 tn?1326845621
OMG...I just went to WWW.pubmed.com...Overwhelming...but the other site was actually one that I had found on my own and my doc said the same thing as this:Nuts, Seeds and Popcorn

From time immemorial, physicians have been advising patients with diverticulosis to avoid these items. Didn't it just make sense that these could get inside colon pockets, rattle around and injure the colon wall? It was just like dried seeds inside a gourd that you can hear rattling around when you shake it. I have never agreed with this. I have never heard a patient rattling after eating these things. Furthermore, all of these items become digested or totally sodden and soft by the time they reach the colon. Most important of all, they contain excellent amounts of fiber, which is exactly what the colon wants. So, I have always recommended nuts, seeds and popcorn for diverticulosis patients. Now, I have been supported in this recommendation by a 2007 study where a large number of diverticulosis patients who took these foods were matched against those who did not. You guessed it. The ones eating nuts, seeds and popcorn had less diverticulosis problems than those who did not.

So, I feel that I am in good hands with someone who just doesn't say:  don't eat seeds and nuts....
Thanks again.
Kate
Helpful - 0
600561 tn?1326845621
http://www.gicare.com/Diets/Diverticulosis.aspx
Dr. Frank W. Jackson states:

Nuts, Seeds and Popcorn

From time immemorial, physicians have been advising patients with diverticulosis to avoid these items. Didn't it just make sense that these could get inside colon pockets, rattle around and injure the colon wall? It was just like dried seeds inside a gourd that you can hear rattling around when you shake it. I have never agreed with this. I have never heard a patient rattling after eating these things. Furthermore, all of these items become digested or totally sodden and soft by the time they reach the colon. Most important of all, they contain excellent amounts of fiber, which is exactly what the colon wants. So, I have always recommended nuts, seeds and popcorn for diverticulosis patients. Now, I have been supported in this recommendation by a 2007 study where a large number of diverticulosis patients who took these foods were matched against those who did not. You guessed it. The ones eating nuts, seeds and popcorn had less diverticulosis problems than those who did not.
Helpful - 0
600561 tn?1326845621
Hey There CalGal,
Sorry that it has taken me so long to acknowledge your information!  Fortunately several years ago my psychiatrist (!) encouraged me to take probiotics so I am familiar and I do take them and believe that they are helpful.  I have not yet visited the web site you recommended but as soon as I have my last solid food...in about 3 minutes...before the fasting day tomorrow, I will take a look.
Thank you again.
Kate
Helpful - 0
600561 tn?1326845621
Thank you.  This is an answer that was given to my father when he was diagnosed 30 or so years ago.  My research finds that some still say that and just as many say that there is no proof that these foods need to be avoided.  Each person may need to find out what is acceptable to the irritable bowel and deal with it that way.  
Thank you for sending along information.
Kate
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Here's a decent link to some dietary suggestions: http://www.gicare.com/Diets/Diverticulosis.aspx

Be sure to consider the suggestion to take probiotics. They help in a lot of other conditions and just might help in cases of diverticular problems.

Also discuss with your doc 'treatement' in the form of meds that are used for inflammatory bowel conditions. Although relatively new in concept, many docs are turning to this form of treatment in addition to the use of antibiotics. You can query the subject on the net, and you should find some articles/abstracts at www.pubmed.com
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