| Diverticula are saccular herniations that protrude | | | | softens stools and has a healing effect on the |
| through the wall of the colon. These "bowel pockets" | | | | digestive tract; drink a half a cup three times daily. |
| are almost always asymptomatic (you can't feel | | | | - Flax Seed Oil contains omega 3 essential fatty acids |
| them). They are caused by a sluggish, constipated | | | | which are necessary for the repair of the digestive |
| bowel. These pockets fill with old fecal material which | | | | tract. |
| can be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. This | | | | - Drink plenty of distilled water and fresh juices. |
| can effect the entire body causing all types of toxic | | | | - Eat a diet consisting mainly of fresh fruits and |
| reactions. | | | | vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, |
| The Merck Manual, the medical industry's standard for | | | | cabbage, carrots, celery, garlic, kale, spinach and |
| the diagnosis and treatment of disease, tells us that | | | | turnips. High fiber diets have been reported to be of |
| colon degeneration is on the rise. The incidence of | | | | definite benefit for those with bowel disorders. J. |
| diverticulosis has increased dramatically over the last | | | | McDougall, M.D, "The McDougall Plan," (1983): pp 49-50 |
| 40 years. It states, that in 1950, only 10% of adults | | | | Things to Avoid: |
| over the age of 45 had this disease, in1955 15%, in | | | | Eliminate fatty, low-fiber foods: dairy foods, fish, |
| 1972 30%, and in 1987 almost 50%. The latest | | | | meat, chicken, turkey, yeast products, alcohol, |
| edition states that the incidence "increases rapidly" | | | | caffeine, soda, eggs, fried and greasy foods, |
| over age 40 and that "every person will have many" | | | | margarine, tobacco, white flour, and all other |
| if they live long enough, meaning every American | | | | processed foods and animal derived products from |
| adult will have herniation of the large intestine. | | | | your diet. |
| Symptoms | | | | References: |
| Can be asymptomatic... You may feel cramping, | | | | 1) James F. Balch, M.D, Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C, |
| bloating, tenderness on the left side of the abdomen, | | | | "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," (1997) |
| constipation or diarrhea, nausea, and an almost | | | | 2) S. Imes et al., "Vitamin C Status in 137 Outpatients |
| continual need to eliminate. | | | | with Crohn's Disease: Effect of Diet Counseling," |
| Recommendations | | | | Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 8(4), August |
| - Herbal colon formulas may be helpful in cleansing the | | | | 1986, p. 443-446 |
| intestinal tract, reducing inflammation and keeping the | | | | 3) D. Burkitt, "Some Diseases Characteristic of |
| colon healthy. If interested, take a look at some very | | | | Modern Western Civilization," Br Med J 1 (1973):274 |
| high quality herbal colon cleansing formulas. | | | | 4) J. McDougall, M. |
| - Organic Aloe Vera Juice is beneficial because it | | | | |