Inflammation of the colon
Diverticulitis

• What are the reasons for colon inflammation?
• Diverticulosis and its symptoms
• The danger of not taking timely action
• How to proceed
• Is it possible to avoid further complications?
• First and foremost - change your eating habits
• Psyllium – a source of soluble fibre
• Which foods are prohibited when diagnosed with diverticulosis?
• The Colonix program for inner cleansing

This civilization disease is closely connected to the diet and is brought about by chronic constipation. At the root of this disease are small intestinal pouch-like formations, the so called outpouchings of the lining – diverticula. These small pouches are found on the inside wall of the digestive system, particularly in the weakened areas of the colon. Serious health problems occur only when the diverticula become infected which gives rise to colon inflammation – diverticulitis.

The primary reason behind a diverticular disease is a diet without sufficient fibre. This disease has been reported ever since people started eating technologically processed foods lacking fibre on a regular basis. Moreover, the intake of vegetables, fruit and legumes has decreased. Therefore, colon inflammation is generally found only in the developed countries of North America, in Australia and the countries of Europe, while it is rare in the native inhabitants of Africa and Asia.

What are the reasons for colon inflammation?

Who is most at risk? There is no simple answer. Do you prefer white to whole wheat bread? Do you consume less than a pound of raw or steamed vegetables and fruit per day? Are you suffering from chronic constipation? Are you over 40? If the answer to all of the previous questions is yes, you are a prime candidate for diverticula formation.

The large intestine is the most vulnerable spot of the digestive tract. At the centre of the disease are small pouches in the mucous lining which press the muscles of the large intestine apart. Once formed, they are permanent. If there are many of them the disease is called diverticulosis. The highest number of the outpouchings is formed in the area where the pressure is strongest during intestinal evacuation. This is usually the area of the "s" curve and the left downward part of the large intestine. When solid stool is pushed out (defecation) excessive pressure builds up in the intestine and, in its weakened section, the mucous lining bulges out.

Diverticulosis is a form of hernia. It surfaces as small pouches that form along the wall of the large intestine. It is similar to the tiny balloons appearing at weak spots on a bicycle tire. Diverticula are from 3 mm to more than 3 cm in size. They rarely occur in people of less than 40 years of age. The percentage of incidence gradually increases with age and after reaching 80 years almost everybody has them. Why? Apart from eating a diet lacking in fibre, these are some of the contributing factors: obesity, chronic constipation, increasingly weaker connective tissue in old age, corticoid therapies, chemotherapy, impaired immune system, etc.

Diverticulosis is closely related to the lifestyle and eating habits. The disease is practically non-existent in native tribes and neither was it described in previous centuries when the diet included an amount of fibre which was optimal for the body. Most important in this regard is the low fibre content in food, resulting in chronic constipation. If there is enough roughage the stool becomes soft, the inner pressure in the intestines decreases thereby relaxing the bowel movement. Consequently an increase in the intake of fibre may prevent, or at least moderate, colon inflammation and so avoid the difficulties accompanying diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis and its symptoms

In general, there are no apparent problems. If difficulties do appear they are in the form of a vague pain in the stomach and lower abdomen, a feeling of fullness, bloating and problems with bowel movement. However, complications can be severe. They start when a piece of undigested food is caught in one of the diverticula, it gets infected and this leads to colon inflammation – diverticulitis, which can spread into the whole surrounding area. The condition is characterized by increased body temperature combined with distinct pain in the left part of the abdominal cavity. Frequently, sudden bleeding from the rectum signals the infection.

The danger of not taking timely action

Diverticulosis may cause bleeding into the stool. That is to say colon inflammation may disrupt blood vessels and lead to heavy bleeding. An inflamed pouch may get perforated. In that case the infected intestinal content enters the abdominal cavity which causes a life threatening inflammation of the peritoneum – peritonitis. If this happens the stomach is very painful, hard and taut, there may be choking, gasses cannot escape and the body temperature rises.

The inflammation can also take a slower course and gradually spread to the neighbouring organs. This is another serious complication whereby fistulas are formed. These are abnormal trunk-like links between the intestine and the bladder or other organs which spread intestinal bacteria to the other organs. In women, a connection to the vagina is often created. This is manifested as a festering vaginal discharge, or bacteria and white blood cells in the urine, pain and a burning sensation while urinating, and a bladder infection which recurs even after it has been treated with antibiotics.

How to proceed

If you experience stomach ache, bleeding into the stool and other diverticulitis symptoms do not hesitate to contact a doctor! The pain may be alleviated by applying an ice pack to the lower left abdominal area. Never apply a warm compress as this accelerates the progress of the infection and can lead to a perforation of the outpouching.

Mild cases can be treated at home using antibiotics and a liquid diet which does not burden the large intestine. Difficulties will usually ease off in a matter of a few days. It is necessary to adhere to a special diet and eat mashed food only, i.e. do not eat raw fruit or vegetables, whole-grain products, fruit with seeds, maize/corn, hot spices; further, do not drink alcohol or beverages containing caffeine.

Contact emergency in the case of an acute colon inflammation - diverticulitis, and the inflammation of the surrounding area, or if the intestinal wall has been ruptured (perforation of the intestine) causing the inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis). If this grave situation occurs emergency services must be contacted immediately. Commonly, a stay in a hospital is necessary, or even an operation. Do not eat or drink anything until examined by a doctor.

Is it possible to avoid further complications?

The best prevention is eating food high in fibre. As a result a bulkier stool is formed and the large intestine does not need to perform extreme contractions during elimination. This prevents the formation of the pouches or pushing the stool into the existing pouches. This not only gradually enlarges them but later on can bring about colon inflammation.

Thus, fibre still plays a significant role in the prevention of complications like inflammations and the subsequent threat of a perforated intestine. So if the doctor confirms a diagnosis of diverticulosis you can be sure that he/she will first of all recommend a change in eating habits to avoid an operation which is inevitable should there be any complications. Consequently, it is much better to eat enough fibre and avoid eating processed foods which result in constipation, the primary reason behind diverticulitis.

First and foremost - change your eating habits

Our primary role in preventing potential health problems is to eat foods with a high fibre content. Legumes, whole wheat bread and products from unpolished grains are an excellent source – you can sprinkle some bran over your food. Regularly consume vegetables (raw, or slightly cooked or fermented vegetables like e.g. sauerkraut). Do not peel fruit; like vegetables, they also needs to be eaten as a whole because fruit juice does not contain any fibre. Dried fruit is an excellent source: raisins, prunes, apricots and dates.

Important notice: Remember, fibre is very important but increase the amount in the foods you eat slowly, and gradually change your eating habits. Plan the change over a period of six to eight weeks so the digestive system is able to adapt to the change. If you have consumed foods low in fibre up to now you will usually experience bloating and excessive gas during the first weeks due to the high fibre diet.

Psyllium – a source of soluble fibre

If the food you consume every day does not contain enough fibre it needs to be supplemented. The richest naturally occurring source is psyllium. It is obtained from the husks of the seeds of the Indian plantago (Plantago psyllium sy, Plantago ovata). When mixed with a liquid it swells up, becomes gelatinous and increases its bulk more than 40 times. Psyllium is a source of soluble fibre, similar to fibre present in some grains, e.g. oats and barley. The main difference is in the fact that it contains much more fibre than, for example, is the case with oats. Using psyllium regularly optimizes the physiological function of the digestive tract – most of all of the small and large intestine.

Because fibre absorbs a lot of water it increases the bulk in the intestine and stimulates intestinal peristalsis. It is necessary to do the following when preparing it: put one spoonful into 200 ml of liquid (water, milk, fruit juice) or add it to yogurt or buttermilk, mix and drink immediately. Afterwards drink an additional 250 ml of water. It is most important to stick to a drinking regime!

Which foods are prohibited when diagnosed with diverticulosis?

Limit the consumption of processed products. Generally speaking they are unhealthy, but to sufferers of diverticulosis they are literally harmful. Some foods belonging to this category are meat, sweets, fatty foods and bakery products made from white flour. Do not eat fruit or vegetables with a lot of seeds (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, figs, tomatoes, etc) either, as they can get caught in the outpouchings and cause their inflammation.

Grains need to be meticulously chewed on – nuts or roasted rice contain hard pieces which can be caught in the outpouchings and cause an inflammation. WARNING! After a serious case of diverticulitis these kinds of food should be avoided altogether.

Avoid caffeine – it is similar to carbonated drinks in that it irritates the intestine. Consume alcohol only in limited quantities. One alcoholic drink a day relaxes the colon which can have a positive effect on the outpouchings.

Further measures
It is also very important and necessary to:

• maintain a drinking regime and drink a sufficient amount of liquids: 3 – 4 dl/per 10 g of mass daily, i.e. six to eight glasses of water, plus herb teas and non-carbonated mineral water. Liquids work against constipation which accompanies diverticulosis. If the large intestine evacuates under strong pressure there is too much strain on the muscles of the stomach wall which leads to the enlargement of the outpouchings which have been small up to that time.


• ensure stool regularity: do not suppress a bowel movement, never hold the urge to pass stool – this bad habit may cause the enlargement of out-pouchings.


• exercise regularly: a regular work-out is part of the prevention and treatment of outpouchings. Physical activity brings about improvement in muscle tension which is not limited to the muscles of the legs and hips; it also impacts stomach muscles and even the smooth muscle layer of the large intestine. This often results in improved evacuation.


• do not use laxatives or suppositories: although at first they prevent constipation, they lose their efficacy in the long term. If constipation causes you trouble, use natural alternatives to help get rid of it. Some of these are dried prunes, prune juice, sauerkraut and cabbage juice, olive oil or flax oil (three spoonfuls daily prior to eating), flax seeds, special herbal teas and special herbal mixtures, including KleriTea.


• do not smoke: smoking may aggravate diverticulosis


• regular body cleanse: the most suitable periods for a body cleanse are autumn, with its abundance of fruit and vegetables and spring when we need to relieve the burden of our “winter sins” and regenerate the body. Colon cleanse and detoxification should be the first steps towards any “big cleaning” of the whole system.

The Colonix program for inner cleansing

It contains high quality soluble and insoluble fibre which play a decisive role in maintaining a healthy colon. It is one of the most effective and safest natural solutions for constipation ever. Thanks to its components, which achieve a thorough cleansing of the large intestine from the accumulated build-up of sediments and parasites, symptoms are not only alleviated but in most cases totally disappear. It is an ideal means of prevention, protecting us from various diseases. After a body cleanse it is also of benefit to regularly use Colonix fiber, which has an ideal composition of ingredients. Apart from psyllium it contains a further 15 different types of soluble and insoluble fibre from medicinal plants. By using it you will more effectively prevent the formation of further intestinal sediments, diverticula and therefore also colon inflammation.
More good reasons for using Colonix program:

• it gently supports the natural process of evacuation


• brings relief from constipation and haemorrhoids


• provides an increased feeling of satiation which prevents the intake of more food supplying energy. This contributes to a reduction of body weight


• protects the mucous membrane of the intestines from the unwanted irritation by toxic and carcinogenic substances


• reduces the risk of colon and rectal cancer


• reduces the formation of intestinal outpouchings and colon inflammation - diverticulitis

- Prof. Katharine Horak, Doctor of Natural Science

Colonix Program
Advanced Internal Cleansing Program
100% Natural and Vegetarian

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