Diverticulosis: A Prevalent Disease In Older People

Diverticulosis -- Source: www.drmarkbowles.com/gi4.html

So you’ve had a colonscopy and found out you have diverticulosis. Your doctor prescribed Benefiber, then left the room and never returned. Now what? Will you have this forever? Are you unhealthy? How does one develop diverticulosis? And what is the difference between “osis” and “itis?”

By age 60, half of the people in North America will have diverticulosis. By the time they reach 80, this number mushrooms to two-thirds. A diverticulum is a bulge of the inner colon lining through the colon’s muscular wallto its outer surface. A diverticulum looks like a small soap bubble and is only 1/5 to 2/5 inches (0.5-1 cm) in diameter.

If you’ve been eating a diet devoid of fibrous foods, then someday soon you also will be welcomed to the world of diverticulosis. Too many foods today are refined – lacking enough fibre to effectively sweep out the colon and keep it clean. This is especially true of grains, where we throw away the bran – the outer coat. In countries where 100% whole grains are used, diverticulosis is a rarity.

“Diverticulosis has been considered a degenerative disorder in the past. However, there is compelling evidence that, in many patients, it develops as a result of longstanding irritable bowel syndrome: chronic constipation; alternating constipation and diarrhea; abdominal cramps and tenderness; mucus; abdominal bloating and gas; incomplete evacuation; etc. Many patients with diverticulosis have, unfortunately, been the recipients of bad advice regarding their diets. In many cases, high fiber foods have been severely restricted, only making the condition worse. I would submit that most of the symptoms of diverticulosis are actually symptoms of spastic colon/irritable bowel syndrome and are particularly aggravated by fatty foods and emotional stress. (www.drmarkbowles.com/gi4.html)

Bran and other fibre hold water in undigested food, making stools soft. Without sufficient fibre, undigested foods become hard and dry, causing the colon walls to strain to keep the matter moving. In some, the diverticulum breaks and causes a local infection in the colon. This condition is called diverticulitis, with subsequent pain in  the lower left corner of the abdomen. Sometimes there is also an accompanying fever and chills.

Source: www.drmarkbowles.com

“This picture shows small ulcerations in the colon representing inflammation. The two most common types of colitis we encounter are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The more difficult of these two to treat is Crohn’s as it may involve the small bowel as well as the large intestine.There is an increased risk of colon cancer with longstanding (10-20 years) ulcerative colitis and to a slight degree with Crohn’s.” (www.drmarkbowles.com). So practice prevention today! Eat at least 30 grams of fibre daily, consisting of fruits with edible skins, vegetables and whole grain products such as oatmeal, 100% whole grains, baked flatbreads such as Ryvita and brown rice.

Fight Cancer With These Phytochemicals

Editors Comment: below is a list of cancer fighting phytochemicals everyone would do well to keep in their daily arsenal. Disease runs rampant today because of ignorance of basic cause. This list should add to your knowledge base and help prevent disease.

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Source: Cancer Fighting Phytochemicals
From © Sat Dharam Kaur N.D. 2007
www.healthybreastprogram.on.ca

Phytochemical: Allyl Sulfides

Effect: Increases liver enzymes to detoxify carcinogens

Food Sources: garlic, onions, leeks

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Phytochemical: Capsaicin

Effect: Prevents carcinogens from binding to DNA

Food Sources: Chili peppers

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Phytochemical: Carotenoids

Effect: Act as antioxidants, neutralize free radicals, enhance immunity; high
intake associated with low cancer rates; promote cell
differentiation

Food Sources: parsley, carrots, spinach, kale, winter squash, apricots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, seaweed

———-

Phytochemical: Polyphenols

Effect: Act as antioxidants Reduce damaging effects of nitrosamines; kill human cancer cells

Food Sources: brocolli, carrots, green tea, cucumbers, squash,
mint, basil, citrus

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Phytochemical: Flavonoids

Effect: Prevent attachment of cancer-causing hormones to
cells by blocking receptor sites

Food Sources: Most fruits and vegetables, including: parsley, carrots, citrus,
broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, squash, yams, eggplant, peppers, berries

———-

Phytochemical: Curcumin

Effect: Assists the liver in detoxifying carcinogens; arrests cancer cells

Food Sources: turmeric

———-

Phytochemical: Ellagic Acid

Effect: Neutralizes carcinogens in the liver, Antioxidant
Inhibits cancer cell divisions

Food Sources: red raspberries, walnut skin

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Phytochemical: Isoflavones (genistein and daidzen)

Effect: Bind to estrogen receptor blocking harmful hormone disruptors; block formation of blood vessels to tumors; inhibit enzymes that might cause cancer; inhibit activation of breast cancer genes

Food Sources: Soybeans, tofu, miso, lentils, dried beans, split peas, garbanzo beans,
green beans, green peas, mung bean sprouts, red clover sprouts

———-

Phytochemical: Indoles

Effect: Induce protective enzymes, stimulate C2 estrogen production; Decrease
estrogen that initiates breast cancer

Food Sources: raw cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale,
cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi, mustard, turnip

———-

Phytochemical: Isothiocyanates

Effect: Prevent DNA damage; block tumor production induced by chemicals in
environment; act as antioxidants assisting liver detoxification

Food Sources: mustard, horseradish, radishes, turnips, cabbage, broccoli,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, watercress, garden sorrel

———-

Phytochemical: Limonoids

Effect: Induce protective enzymes in liver and intestines that fight cancer

Food Sources: citrus fruit rind, essential oils of lemon, orange, celery, lemongrass

———-

Phytochemical: Linolenic Acid

Effect: Regulates production of prostaglandins in cells

Food Sources: flaxseeds and flaxseed oil

———-

Phytochemical: Lycopene

Effect: Protects from cell damage

Food Sources: tomato, kiwi, grapes, spinach

———-

Phytochemical: Lutein

Effect: Protects from cell damage

Food Sources: tomato, kiwi, grapes, spinach

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Phytochemical: Monoterpenes

Effect: Antioxidant properties, induce protective enzymes, inhibit cholesterol
production in tumors, stimulate destruction of breast cancer cells, inhibit
growth of cancer cells

Food Sources: cherries, lavender, parsley, yams, carrots, broccoli,
cabbage, basil, cucumbers, peppers, squash, eggplant,
mint, tomatoes, grapefruit

———-

Phytochemical: Phenolic Acids

Effect: Block effects of free radicals; inhibit formation of
nitrosamine (carcinogen)

Food Sources: berries, broccoli, grapes, citrus, parsley, peppers, soy, squash,
tomatoes, grains

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Phytochemical: Plant Sterols (beta-sitosterol)

Effect: Prevent cells from becoming cancerous; lower fat levels in body

Food Sources: broccoli, cabbage, soy, peppers, whole grains

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Phytochemical: Protease Inhibitors

Effect: Block the activity of enzymes involved in tumor growth

Food Sources: beans and soy products

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Phytochemical: Quercetin

Effect: Slows down cell division

Food Sources: onions, apples, green cabbage

———-

Phytochemical: Quinones

Effect: Neutralize carcinogens

Food Sources: rosemary, pau d’arco tea

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Phytochemical: Sulforaphane

Effect: Antioxidant, enhances detoxifying effect of liver’s enzymes
to remove carcinogens

Food Sources: broccoli sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts

Are You Digging Your Grave With Your Teeth?

Foods that Kill, Foods that Heal

Stop digging your grave with your teeth – avoid toxins

Foods that Kill Table salt Margarine and other hydrogenated fats Chlorinated Water Antibiotics ASPARTAME MSG – Mono Sodium Glutamate Pesticides CARCINOGENS Hormones – MILK Food additives Sugar, cane sugar, Corn syrup Chocolate and other foods containing similar concentrated sweeteners Refined oils Fried oils Rancid oils Trans Ftas Canned foods (processed) Boxed foods (processed) Junk foods (hamburgers, pizza, hotdog, nachos, …) Fried foods Soft drinks – Coca Cola, Pepsi Alcohol drinks Coffee Additives, preservatives White rice, white flour, white vinegar

Foods that Heal Stevia Carob Fruits Vegetables Unrefined sea salt Vegetable juices Homemade fruit juices Fats That Heal (fresh, expeller pressed) Stevia Essential fatty Acids Calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D Trace Minerals Organic foods Enzymes and cancer Udo’s Choice Essiac tea Flaxseed oil / Linseed oil Cod Liver Oil Algae and seaweed Chlorela algae Spirulina algae Barley grass Chaparral (Larrea tridentata) Iscador (from Viscum album) Lemonade in the morning Olive Oil For Health Ocean Vegetables Maple Syrup Sea Vegetables

Seawater Spray Effective Against Colds

A nasal spray made from Atlantic Ocean seawater eased children’s cold symptoms, and slowed their return, according to 12 week study involving nearly 400 children between the ages of 6 and 10 who had uncomplicated cold or flu symptoms.

European researchers said some children received nasal decongestants or other standard treatments, while others received a saline nasal wash that had ions and trace elements at levels comparable with those in seawater.

Children who were given the nasal spray had less stuffy and runny noses, along with fewer severe sore throats, coughs, nasal obstructions and secretions, than those given standard treatments.

Further, those who used the nasal spray missed fewer school days, were sick less often and used fewer fever-reducing drugs, decongestants and antibiotics.

The researchers are not sure why the saline solution was effective, but suggested it could be due to a mechanical clearing of mucus, or could have something to do with the trace elements in the water.

Saline nasal washes have long been used as a treatment for colds, but evidence supporting their effectiveness is scarce.

Sources:

Reuters January 21, 2008

Archives of Otolaryngology January 2008;134(1):67-74

One of the main components in seawater is salt, which – in its natural form — has many therapeutic properties when inhaled or used as a soak. I suspect that the nasal spray used in this study was so effective because of the combination of natural salt and the many beneficial properties of seawater.

Barring sea water, if you or your child has a cold or nasal problem, a nasal wash using a few grains of crystal salt in 1/4 cup of warm water may also help. And another great tool for treating colds and flus is simply putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your child’s ears. It’s safe, very effective and inexpensive — simply use the common 3% hydrogen peroxide that you can find in any drug store.