No. 33

Diverticulitis

Other Post references in this material include;  No. 3, 7, 26, and 28

Top Recommended Products

1. Bone Broth
2. Organic Sulfur with Glutamine
3. GI Cocktail for Diverticulitis (No. 1 and No. 2)
4. Herb Formula as needed as a powder or tea
5. As needed:  Herbal Antibiotic Formula for 7-10 days duration with taper

Primary Diet

A diet high in vegetables and fruits, leafy greens, lighter easy-to-digest proteins, low red meat, soluble and insoluble fiberous foods- cooked or uncooked, as comfortable- beans, lentils, and gluten-free grains.  Bone Broth is critical to this program and nutrients which can improve tissue in the entire GI tract.

Constipation

1. Drink 2 oz. of aloe vera juice after meals (whole leaf organic, non-preservative)
2. Insoluble fiber
3. If necessary you can also eat a couple of prunes in the day or drink 2-4 oz. of prune juice as well, or take 2 Senokot pills at bedtime and again mid morning after waking if things are not resolved
4. Raw vegetables, salad, raw fruits, raw nuts, beans, seeds if blended such as in humus for example but not raw as they stick in the “pockets” in the bowel.

Diarrhea

1. Apple pectin- using a teaspoon as a serving size 1-3 times in a day
2. Soluble fiber
3. Cooked vegetables, especially root vegetables, can be calming and supportive
4. Cooked and peeled fruits often ok when raw with peel often promotes diarrhea

Avoid

1. Gluten
2. Aspartame and all artificial sweeteners including Splenda
3. Aspirin
4. Dehydration
5. Soda
6. Bad Fats and diet high in fat
7. Red meat which is harder to digest

Things That May Help

1. (1) drop of essential oil of peppermint in 4 oz. of water 1-3 times in a day after food
2. (1) drop of essential oil of cinnamon in 2 oz. of aloe vera juice 1 time per day without food
3. Cinnamon Chip Tea (1 teaspoon chips steeped in hot water covered for 1 hour, reheat, strain)
4. Bone Broth – drink 1 pint to 1 quart per day, used as a broth or in food preparation, soups, stews, stir fry, etc.  1 pint upon rising on an empty stomach is excellent. Heals the entire intestinal tract.  Post No. 7
5. GI Cocktail C/D  Using a SHAKER JAR or in a smoothie blended, take 1 teaspoon of product to 6 oz. of coconut water or water and shake vigorously for 15 seconds (or blend as usual) and drink down quickly, follow with 8 oz. of water or tea.  Do this on an empty stomach and do not eat for 1 hour, do not take supplements or medications for 1 hour after the GI Cocktail.  This is best 1^st thing in the morning.
6. L-Glutamine- 1200 mg per day (400mg 3 x no food, with water)
7. Fish Oil- 1000 mg 3 x per day with food
8. Probiotics- take these at bedtime, trying to time it to approximately 20 minutes before falling asleep so that the friendly bacteria will drop into the small intestines where it will propagate while you sleep. Also taking approx. a 250mg dose between meals with water can also help keep flare-ups to a minimal in some people
9. Organic Sulfur- 1 teaspoon in 2 oz. of hot distilled water, dissolve and drink down quickly, follow with 10 oz. of distilled water, do not eat for 30 minutes.  Sulfur for added benefit may be mixed with L-Glutamine to help build tissue. Allow about 8 months for results.  Post No. 28

Supplementing the GI Cocktail

After adjusting to 1 teaspoon daily, usually about 3-5 days, begin increasing every few days as comfortable, until reaching 3 teaspoons daily spread out. When this dosage is stable, meaning you do not experience excessive bloating or gas, again, begin to increase to 1 tablespoon twice daily;  morning and again 1 hour before dinner. Using a product like the GI Cocktail has been found to be as effective as taking certain medications including mesalamines. This is further enhanced when taking a cod liver oil supplement with meals (1000 IU 3 x).  The GI Cocktail requires water intake in order for the product to hydrate and support the GI tract. If you do not drink enough water, tea, Bone Broth and coconut water each day, you can form an impaction.

*If you have strictures or a history of impactions, be sure to check with your doctor before using a fiber product, or any other product.  Understanding what you are prescribed and why is important to your improvement. 

The GI Cocktail is designed in two formulations; 

• No. 1  A finer grind mucilage powder blended with herbs specific to the intestinal tract. This product is used for 4 months average or until a full use of 2 tablespoons daily is comfortable and symptoms have become more stable.  It is used with the introduction of both Organic Sulfur and Bone Broth for supporting tissues.
• No. 2  A less-fine grind of mucilage powder blended again with herbs specific to the intestinal tract. This product is introduced after using product No. 1 with success.

Contains:  1/2 lb blend;  Certified Organic Blend–  No. 1  psyllium husk powder, marshmallow root, slippery elm, cat’s claw, licorice root, barberry, red clover, baobob tree fruit, alfalfa leaf, wildcrafted pau d arco.  No. 2 contains all of the same contents with the exception of whole psyllium husk rather than the powder. 

Aside from the GI Cocktail No. 1 & 2, Organic Sulfur and Bone Broth, if you are not allergic to casein, a protein in cow’s milk and minimally in goat milk, prepare the 24 Hour Yogurt and use this 1-3 times per day between meals. This probiotic rich yogurt cannot be purchased in a store; it must be made by you and all you need is an oven with a light bulb.  See Post No. 28  for instructions.  If you are currently on antibiotics, this Yogurt is very helpful to preventing further infection.

If you have a history of infection and repeated use of antibiotics, the 24 Hour Yogurt will be very valuable to you in prevention.  The Herbal Antibiotic Formula is also available which can be used periodically to quickly prevent an infection from setting in. This is a 7-14 day application which is not used ongoing but as a remedy.

Juicing & Smoothies For Diverticulitis

Carrot juice is practically a miracle food.  In addition to carrot, include lettuce, potatoes, beets, and celery.  Avoid prunes, prune juice, cabbage and dried fruits. Avoid nuts and seeds until soaked over night in water or 12 hours, then blended such as in pastes, humus, and butter. Usually avoiding these during attacks is a good idea, even blended. Use the same foods listed here in smoothies. Thin smoothies with ice and coconut water, water, tea, or Bone Broth. Smoothies and raw juices can be beneficial during flare-ups and along with the GI Cocktail should help curb symptoms more quickly. Always avoid red meat during an attack or protein that is noticeably difficult for you to digest. During these flare-up times, use smoothies, juicing, and for meals, cook the vegetables rather than eating them raw. To settle the bowel, also use fully cooked oatmeal at meals, rolled oats being the best and not steel-cut.

Herbs That May Benefit

1. Cat’s Claw
2. Slippery Elm
3. Marshmallow Root
4. Wild Yam
5. Chamomile
6. Peppermint
7. Cinnamon
8. Flax Seed Meal-  ½ oz. per day or 15 grams
9. Licorice Root— 350 to 1100 mg per day of a DGL product. This type has the high blood pressure component taken out and is best for people who need to use it more frequently.  Licorice root is not meant to be taken long term but for up-to-2-month stretches.  People with kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart failure or hypokalemia should not take this herb.
10. Alfalfa
11. Tea Combination:  Chamomile (unless you have a ragweed allergy to ragweed), Goldenseal Root or Leaf, Papaya Fruit or Leaf, Red Clover Blossoms, Yarrow , Pau D Arco
12. Herbal Antibiotic Formula – as needed in a taper schedule, not used long term, but temporary as a remedy

How to take Organic Sulfur is listed in detail under its own individual post along with how to make Bone Broth. These can be found under Posts No. 28