Diverticulitis develops from a condition called diverticulosis. If
you're older than 40, it's common for you to have diverticulosis -
small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in your digestive tract. In the
United States, more than 50 percent of people older than 60 have
diverticula. Although diverticula can form anywhere, including in your
esophagus, stomach and small intestine, most occur in your large
intestine. Because these pouches seldom cause any problems, you may
never know you have them.

A low-fiber diet is considered to be the main cause of diverticular
problems. First diagnosed in the United States in the early 1900s, and
now common throughout developed countries, the emergence of
diverticular disease coincided with the introduction of low-fiber
processed foods (eg. branless refined flour). Even now, the disease is
rare in Asia and Africa, where people eat high-fiber vegetable diets.

In the past, many doctors recommended that people with diverticulosis
avoid seeds and nuts, including foods with small seeds, such as
tomatoes and strawberries. It was thought that these tiny particles
could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation
(diverticulitis). But there is no scientific evidence that seeds and
nuts cause diverticulitis. In fact, eating a high-fiber diet - which
may include nuts and seeds - reduces the risk of diverticulitis. It is
now believed that only foods that may irritate or get caught in the
diverticula cause problems.

A low-residue Diverticulitis Diet is recommended during the flare-up
periods of diverticulitis to decrease bowel volume so that the
infection can heal. An intake of less than 10 grams of fiber per day
is generally considered a low residue Diverticulitis Diet. If you have
been on a low-residue diet for an extended period of time, your doctor
may recommend a daily multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.

Once your symptoms improve, start to add about 5 to 15 grams of fiber
a day to allow your digestive system to adjust to the higher fiber
intake.

Although there is much conflicting information, even in the medical
world, about what constitutes a good Diverticulitis Diet, the basic
principle of healthy eating remains the same. Most people have no
symptoms and only find out that they have Diverticulosis when they've
had a colonoscopy done. If you fall into this category, the guidelines
suggest that you start on a high fiber and high fluids diet as soon as
possible. You should also avoid constipation at all costs.

In general, treatment depends on the severity of your signs and
symptoms and whether this is your first attack of diverticulitis. If
your symptoms are mild, a liquid or low-fiber diet and antibiotics may
be all you need. But if you're at risk of complications or have
recurrent attacks of diverticulitis, you may need more advanced care.
A high-fiber diet is very important in preventing future
diverticulitis attacks. As you increase your fiber intake, increase
your fluid intake as well.

Many people don't realize the harm that a low fiber diet can do to
you, and the Diverticulitis Diet is really a necessity to everyone,
not just those with the disease. We must remember to keep high-fiber
healthy diets to allow ourselves the nutrition we need to support our
bodies and allow for proper nutrition. Even if you do have
diverticulitis, the Diverticulitis Diet will help you get your bodies
nutrients on track and allow you to be healthy again.

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