Natural Cures for Diverticulitis
End Inflammation, Infection, and Pain in the Bowels
Diverticulitis became a disease of the western industrial world when highly refined processed foods became widely available in the 1940s. In countries where most people eat a diet low in animal proteins and high in plant-based fibers, diverticulitis is a virtually unknown condition.
Thought to result from a diet low in fiber, diverticulosis affects 10% of people over the age of 40. Grape like protrusions in the intestinal wall are known as diverticula. Most often they are caused by chronic constipation. Lacerations in these sacs can become infected, resulting in inflammation and pain and a condition known as diverticulitis. Abdominal tenderness on the left side, bloating, cramping, chills, fever, nausea and changes in bowel habits may be symptoms of diverticulitis.
Medical Treatment May be Necessary
Antibiotics are used to treat infection. Unfortunately these drugs also deplete the body of friendly bacteria, or probiotics, that improve digestion and fight disease. Probiotics can be found naturally in fermented foods. Kefir, a drink similar to yogurt, is one of the strongest sources of probiotics. Probiotic supplements can also be purchased in health food stores. It is important to take small amounts of probiotics frequently throughout the day to achieve the best results.
Rest the Bowel to Allow Healing
A liquid diet that provides good nutrition with minimal digestive work is the goal of initial treatment for diverticulitis. Nutritional replacement drinks provide proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals in a balanced, easily digestible form. These are important particularly if weight loss has been severe. But processed liquid nutrients are not complete because they do not contain live enzymes and phytochemicals that our bodies need to heal.
Fresh, Raw Vegetable Juices Provide Optimum Nutrition and Healing
Get more energy and return to vibrant health through the juices of anti-oxidant-packed cancer-fighting vegetables. By investing in a juicer and making your own, you can consume more servings of healthy produce than you could ever eat. Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, romaine, and kale have anti-inflammatory properties and contain large amounts of vitamin K, deficiencies of which are linked to digestive disorders. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli have a reputation for healing peptic ulcers and preventing bowel cancers, probably due to their high folate and B vitamin content. Tasty and nutritious juice combinations to try are: celery, tomato, cucumber, red bell pepper and carrot; apple and celery, or spinach, parsley, tomato and celery. Many people enjoy pure carrot juice.
Add Good Fats to Your Diet
Omega-3 essential fatty acids improve lymphatic function, the body's defense system which carries waste out of the blood stream and promotes healing of inflamed tissues. They also have a protective affect on cells lining the wall of the colon. Western diets are high in Omega-6 fatty acids but low in Omega-3s. The best sources are cold water fish, flax and hemp oils, chia seeds, walnuts, and evening primrose oil.
Eat a Diet of Whole Foods
Once symptoms of infection and inflammation are gone, keep them away by eating a natural diet of unprocessed foods high in plant-based fiber. Avoid fried foods, fast foods, junk foods, and empty calories. Lean plain poultry and wild-caught fish provide high quality proteins, as do whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa ( a high protein, quick-cooking grain prized by the aztecs, available in healthfood stores), teff (a small grain used in mediterrainean cooking), and oats. (Gluten containing wheat, barley and rye can exacerbate symptoms in many people. Hidden in many processed foods, a strict gluten-free diet is not easy but well worth a try for chronic bowel disease.)
A whole foods diet should be high in fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Eat salads two or more times a day and continue drinking fresh juices. Papaya contains helpful digestive enzymes. Eat sweet fruits alone or an hour or two before meals, do not combine them with other foods.
Be sure that juices and water adds up to at least the 2.5 liters of fluids a day needed to replace lost fluids and combine with fiber to eliminate constipation.
Other Supplements to Consider
Alfalfa is another good source of vitamin K, it can be taken in supplements and sprouts, available in most groceries.
Aloe Vera promotes healing of inflamed tissue and prevents constipation. Drink half a cup every eight hours.
Beneficial herbs for diverticulitis include slippery elm, chamomile, golden seal, red clover, and yarrow. Do not use chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed. Golden seal is for short-term use only and is not safe for pregnancy.
Lifestyle Changes are Also Necessary
Avoid alcohol and cigarettes, two factors that raise the risk of developing diverticulitis. Get regular exercise and adequate rest.
Keep a diary of foods and symptoms and look for patterns that will tell you specific foods to avoid. Getting in tune with your body is the best way to determine your individual needs.
The pain of diverticulitis can be eliminated, but diverticulosis, the pouches in the bowel, may not go away. Therefore, healthy practices have to become lifelong habits to avoid reoccurence of inflammation and infection. Should symptoms return, immediately get more rest and return to a liquid diet, followed by a proper dietary regimen.
Healthy Fiber-Rich Foods
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Health & Wellness
Latest Articles