Diverticulosis and Nuts
Updated: Jul 25
What is diverticulosis?
Many people have small pouches in their colon (large intestine) that bulge outward, creating a diverticulum. This condition is also known as diverticulosis. The condition becomes more common with age, and about 10 percent of Americans over 40 have diverticulosis. Nearly half of people over age 60 have diverticulosis.
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Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy when YOU need it mostAbout 10 percent of Americans over the age of 40 have diverticulosis. The condition becomes more common with age. About half of people over age 60 have diverticulosis.
What is diverticulitis?
When these pouches become infected or inflamed, it is called diverticulitis, as anything that ends in "-itis" means inflammatory disease. This condition happens in 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis.
When the pouches ("diverticulosis") become infected or inflamed it is called "diverticulitis."
How do we treat diverticulosis and diverticulitis?
Treatment is a high-fiber diet that softens stool and lowers pressure inside the colon. However, an attack of diverticulitis can be severe enough to require hospitalization and surgery.
What about seeds and nuts?
Many doctors tell patients to avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn, fearing the foods might become lodged in the pouches. On the other hand, the seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries, raspberries, and poppy seeds are harmless.
According to data from the University of Washington and Harvard University, the fear seems unwarranted. The researchers base their conclusions on a 20-year study of 47,228 men. Researchers found no significant correlation between nut consumption and complications; men who ate the most popcorn were 28 percent less likely to be affected.
"People with diverticulosis don't need to avoid seeds, nuts, and corn," says lead author Lisa Strate, a gastroenterologist at the University of Washington.
How to avoid complications?
Medical experts say that the best way to avoid complications from diverticulosis is to eat a fiber-rich diet, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly.
If you have any questions, speak with your doctor.
What about colon cancer?
Although there is no direct association between diverticulosis and colorectal (colon) cancer, screening for colorectal cancer remains extremely important. Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the United States. Only lung cancer claims more lives. Still, it is one of the most preventable types of cancer, as colorectal cancer is often detectable, preventable, treatable, and beatable when detected early.
Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the United States, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer.
Personally
I eat a high-fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
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