The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Diverticulitis
- Jennifer Bray
- May 1, 2024
- 5 min read
Have you ever heard of diverticular disease? It's a condition that affects the digestive system, causing small pouches called diverticula to form in the lining of the intestines, most commonly in the lower part of the large intestine or colon. When these pouches are present without any symptoms, it's known as diverticulosis.
Diverticulosis is quite common, especially as we age. Around 10% of people have it by the time they reach 40, and this number increases to 50-70% for those over 80. While many people with diverticulosis don't experience any issues, sometimes these pouches can become inflamed or infected, leading to a condition called diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis can cause some unpleasant symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel movements bouncing between constipation to loose stools. It's estimated that 10-25% of people with diverticulosis will experience at least one episode of diverticulitis, and every year, around 130,000 hospitalizations occur in the United States due to diverticular disease.
If you've experienced a diverticulitis attack, I imagine you'd be willing to do quite a bit to prevent it from happening again. Or perhaps you've been diagnosed with diverticulosis and want to learn more about preventing those painful attacks you've heard about. Whatever your situation, I'm glad you're here. In this blog post, we'll explore the role of gut microbiota in diverticulitis symptoms and discuss some natural ways to maintain a healthy digestive system.
What is Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?
Have you ever wondered what diverticulosis and diverticulitis are? Let's start with diverticulosis. This condition occurs when small pouches called diverticula form in the lining of the intestines, usually in the lower part of the large intestine or colon. These pouches can range from 2 to 20 mm in size and typically develop at weak spots where blood vessels pass through the intestinal wall to deliver blood to the colon.
Diverticulitis happens when the diverticula becomes inflamed or infected, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. While diverticulosis is quite common, especially as we age, only a small percentage of people with diverticula will develop diverticulitis.
Diverticular disease, which encompasses both diverticulosis and diverticulitis, has become increasingly common in Western countries like the United States and Europe. By age 80, it's estimated that around 70% of people will have diverticular disease.
Despite its widespread presence, there's still a lot we don't know about diverticular disease, and some common recommendations, like avoiding nuts and seeds have become debunked in the research.
How does the microbiome play a part in Diverticulosis?
Your gut is home to a fascinating world of microorganisms known as the gut microbiome. This bustling community of bacteria, fungi, and parasites forms an intricate web of life that plays a crucial role in safeguarding your overall well-being. These microscopic allies are hard at work, aiding in the breakdown of nutrients from your meals, ensuring you get the most out of what you eat. They also contribute to the fortification of your gut lining, bolstering its protective barrier.
But that's not all—they're multitaskers!
Some of these friendly bacteria go the extra mile by manufacturing essential vitamins and outcompeting harmful pathogens for space and resources, thus fortifying your defenses. Working hand in hand with your immune system, the gut microbiome helps orchestrate a balanced, inflammation-free environment, fostering resilience and harmony within your body. When this delicate balance is disrupted, it can lead to various health issues, including diverticulitis.
When an imbalance is created in the gut microbiome favoring more opportunistic bacteria it leads to inflammation and dysbiosis of the gut. It’s inflammatory bacteria like Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella that we want to be on the lookout for as they increase inflammation along the intestinal walls.
When we think of diverticulitis, we need to be thinking about inflammation and where the source is coming from. However these inflammatory bacteria and even parasites can crowd out the beneficial bacteria that are designed to help support our body.
Symptoms associated with an inflammatory bacterial overgrowth:
Abdominal Cramping
Loose Stools or Diarrhea
Constipation
Gas
Bloating
Nausea
Fatigue
Abdominal Pain
But it’s not just the overgrowth of inflammatory bacteria as even some beneficial bacteria in excess can cause some discomfort like constipation. Constipation in itself can cause inflammation in the colon and allows a further growth of dysbiosis to occur.
Now we can’t talk about the microbiome for diverticulitis without mentioning butyrate. Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid that is created in the gut to feed and fuel the cells that make up the intestinal lining and help maintain the function of the intestinal barrier. However it doesn’t stop there as butyrate reduces inflammation and oxidative stress all while stimulating mucus excretion to protect the gut lining.
Butyrate is not something you and I can make on our own as we rely on specific bacteria in the gut to produce these short chain fatty acids. Sometimes supplementing with butyrate can be beneficial but just like anything, too much of a good thing can increase an imbalance leading to dysbiosis of the gut. Bringing in foods that help promote the bacteria that make butyrate may be a better option like green bananas, fermented foods, dandelion greens, almonds, onions, garlic, and even butter or ghee can help increase production.
What Causes Dysbiosis of the Gut?
Dysbiosis is what happens when the delicate balance of good and bad microorganisms in your gut gets thrown off. When this happens, it can lead to a whole host of unpleasant symptoms, from brain fog and fatigue to digestive issues like constipation.
There are a few different ways that gut dysbiosis can manifest. Sometimes, it means that there's not enough diversity in the types of microbes living in your gut. Other times, it means that you're lacking in the beneficial microbes that keep things running smoothly. And in some cases, it means that harmful bacteria have taken over and are growing out of control.
When your gut microbiome is out of balance, it can set off a chain reaction of inflammation throughout your body.
Things that can lead to an imbalance:
Poor Diet
Gluten
Lack of Fiber
Alcohol
Toxins & Chemicals
Antibiotics
Medications
Stress
Poor Air & Water
Inadequate Sleep Quality
Smoking
The only way to know how your microbiome is either balanced or imbalanced is to test with a stool test. A comprehensive analysis stool test will evaluate the gut microbiome (good gut bacteria, inflammatory bacteria, parasites, yeast, inflammation, and digestive abilities) to help determine what is impacting your health and where your body needs the most support.
In Closing
The health of your gut microbiome can have a big impact on your risk of developing diverticular disease. When the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut is thrown off, it can lead to inflammation and other issues that make you more susceptible to those little pouches called diverticula.
One of the key ways functional health can help with diverticular disease is by supporting the health of your gut microbiome. This means eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods that provide plenty of fiber and nutrients for your beneficial gut bacteria. It also means taking steps to reduce inflammation in your body, which can contribute to the development of diverticula.
In addition to diet, there are lots of other lifestyle factors that can make a big difference in managing diverticular disease. Getting regular exercise, staying hydrated, and finding healthy ways to manage stress can all help keep your gut happy and healthy.
Your functional practitioner may also recommend targeted supplements to support your gut health. This might include things like probiotics to boost your beneficial bacteria, herbs to soothe your digestive tract and support your gut lining.
The great thing about taking a functional approach is that it's all about finding what works best for you as an individual. By working closely with your practitioner and making small, sustainable changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can take control of your gut health and feel your best.
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