Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Subscribe Today! Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode. YOU’RE OLDER, THINK ABOUT TAKING THESE SUPPLEMENTS – INVITEⓇ HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 620 Hosted by Jerry Hickey, Ph. *Intro Music* InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: [00:00:04] Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our …
Subscribe Today! Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode. PROBIOTICS FOR MORE THAN IMMUNITY, INVITEⓇ HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 608 Hosted by Amanda Williams, MD, MPH *Intro Music* InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: [00:00:04] Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed health …
Written by Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND diverticulosis
For further questions or concerns email me at carcidiacono@invitehealth.com†
Last week we talked about Irritable Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Today we’ll be covering the difference between Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis, which involves the formation of small, bulging pouches called diverticula in the intestines. These pouches are usually in the lower part of the intestines in the colon.
While both diverticulosis and diverticulitis are essentially a condition of “pockets” the one major difference between the two conditions are whether or not the pouches are infected or inflamed. Diverticulitis is where the pockets are infected and can be thought of as a more severe form of diverticulosis. However, the presence of an active infection in diverticulitis makes the treatments of the two conditions very different. (2)
It is important to see a doctor to determine if it is an issue. A doctor will often order a CT scan or a lower GI series, which are x-rays taken after consuming barium sulfate, the drink they give you to examine your digestive system. Due to the presence of bacteria and inflammation in diverticulitis, blood work may also be done. An elevated C-Reactive Protein (C-RP) as well as an elevated White Blood Cell (WBC) count are what your doctor will look for. They may recommend a colonoscopy, however, if the doctor suspects diverticulitis, they will avoid doing a colonoscopy or using a barium enema due to possible side effects. (5)
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While an exact cause for diverticulosis is unknown, there are risk factors. The most well documented risk factor is constipation. In addition, having a low fiber diet, a cause of constipation or a diet heavy in meat consumption are risk factors. Extreme weight loss, advanced age and a genetic predisposition with 40% of people inheriting it are also risk factors. An example of a genetic condition that increases risk is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (6).
Diverticulosis can cause cramps, gas, bloating, a change in bowel movements and blood in the stool. In fact, diverticular disease is one of the most common causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Unfortunately, diverticular disease is also associated with a higher risk of colon cancer.(3) In addition to these symptoms, diverticulitis can also cause severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting as well as systemic symptoms such as chills and fever. It can also lead to a loss of appetite, resulting in weight loss.(4) It’s important to have a high fiber diet to avoid constipation, since a low fiber diet and constipation are two of the risk factors.
While some supplement suggestions may be the same for both conditions, the goals are not. For diverticulosis, the goal is to prevent constipation and lower the risk of gut inflammation. Demulcent herbs have been found to be helpful by lowering inflammation in the digestive tract and reducing the incidence of opportunistic infection. Invite’s DGL, Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm and Marshmallow root are some of the herbs that can benefit diverticulosis. (10) Invite’s GI Maintain and Min Acid are also a couple of other options to help lower inflammation.
Infection of the pouches or diverticulitis occurs for unknown reasons however there are known additional risks along with the risk factors for diverticulosis. Additional risk factors include obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and use of NSAIDS.
Diet plays a huge role in diverticulitis. Small foods such as nuts and seeds can get “stuck” in the pouches leading to an overgrowth of bacteria. Avoid nuts, seeds and “small foods” that can get stuck in pockets. Eliminating these from the diet decreases a potential risk for complications.(9) Holistically, we know that food allergies/sensitivities can lead to inflammation in the gut. (7) Pathogens can also cause inflammation in the digestive tract.
One of the most dangerous complications is one of the inflamed diverticulum rupturing. This rupture can cause bacteria to spread to the abdomen, causing a very dangerous infection, peritonitis. Side effects can include bowel obstruction, abscess and fistulas, an abnormal connection between organs. (8)
For a flare up of diverticulitis, you want to calm down inflammation and treat the infection. In most cases, treating diverticulitis requires an antibiotic, however there are natural supplements that can work with prescribed medications.
Eat a low fiber diet; it’s important to give the colon a “rest.”(13) Castor oil packs have been found to reduce inflammation and cramps.(14) Colostrum has been found to reduce inflammation in the colon.(15) Invite’s Colostrum and GI Immune, Demulcents, Probiotics, and L-Glutamine are helpful in reducing inflammation present in the colon.
Probiotics are shown in studies to be a promising treatment option for lowering inflammation in the gut and helping both diverticulosis and diverticulitis (11). Invite’s Probiotic Hx, Core Probiotic and Probiotic Weight are supplements that can lower inflammation. L-Glutamine has been found in studies to promote healing in the digestive tract. (12) Invite’s GI Maintain and L-Glutamine promote improved digestive health.
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stress
InViteⓇ Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
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We have all experienced stress at some point in time throughout our lives, but today I want to zero in on the connection between being acutely mindful of your stress and the science of stress.†
Over the past two decades, a lot more of the focus on stress-related research has certainly started to give more credit to our brain than we used to. We’re really starting to understand the true role that mindfulness and meditation can play. There are so many ways in which we can help to naturally destress our body. This is key because stress is prevalent.†
It’s meant to be this adaptive, healthy response in the short-term, but the problem is that most people have chronic, low-level stress. When this occurs, you’re in this constant state of feeling like you’re never “normal” and this is what many people are dealing with.†
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Chronic stress can lead to major problems and this is what a majority of people are dealing with. This is going to impact your circadian rhythm. If you’re not sleeping well, your body has a hard time when it comes to repair. When we look at the immune system, we definitely know that the stress response is going to impact the way that our body can fend off different bacteria and viruses. This can also alter the gut microbiome, to the point that it disrupts your blood pressure, as well as our cognition. Many times, when people are stressed out, they experience higher levels of brain fog. When people are very stressed out, they may also struggle to lose weight.†
We have to get to the heart of what we can be doing to really regulate our stress response. We know that there are so many different nutrients that can be beneficial when it comes to targeting this issue. This includes B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, theanine, probiotics, prebiotics, adaptogenic herbs and more.†
I want to talk about the Adrenoserine formulation and why that can be so incredibly beneficial. This is a great way to target many of the different components of chronic stress. It’s a combination of an adrenal glandular, which allows the body to better offset the negative way that the adrenal gland is working in the face of stressors. This formula helps to modify that response. It’s really nice to use a glandular because we know that that glandular is providing the body with those needed key nutrients in order to be more in its homeostasis or equilibrium. This formulation also includes phosphatidylserine, which is commonly known for brain health, but it also plays a very important role for cortisol response. It also has ashwagandha, which is an adrenal adaptogenic herb that is a direct modulator for stress coming from the adrenal glands. This allows the body to process stress more efficiently. Adrenoserine also offers DGL, which is deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract. This is because our GI tract can really start to feel the effects when we are faced with stressors. By having DGL, this allows the GI tract to create more of that balance once again.†
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In this episode, Amanda Williams, MPH explains how our body can react to stressors and how this can affect many systems within the body if it becomes a chronic issue. She also discusses the Adrenoserine formulation and how this can support the body.†
Key Topics:
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