Diverticular Disease: Prevention

To prevent diverticular disease/diverticulitis, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.

Behavioral risk factors

  • Diet
    • Low-fiber diet – A low-fiber diet is a major cause of diverticulosis. Here, insoluble fiber (contained in cereals, especially wheat, rye, cereal bran, as well as in most vegetables and fruits) is of particular importance. Due to their good swelling capacity, they bind liquid, thereby increasing the volume of the intestinal contents and stimulating the natural movement of the bowels. Consequently, the stool does not linger long in the intestine.
    • High fat diet and low fiber intake at the same time – Studies show that increased fat intake alone does not increase the risk of developing diverticulosis, but the combination of high fat intake and low fiber intake does.
    • Consumption of red meat, i.e., muscle meat of pork, beef, lamb, veal, mutton, horse, sheep, goat (1.58-fold risk of diverticulitis in men).
    • Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see prevention with micronutrients.
  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Alcohol (> 30 g/day)
    • Tobacco (smoking)
  • Physical activity
    • Physical inactivity
    • Sitting activity
  • Overweight (BMI ≥ 25; obesity).

Disease-related risk factors

Medication

  • Calcium antagonists – a phenome-wide association study indicates that individuals with the variants in the genes that affect the action of calcium antagonists are more likely than others to develop diverticulosis. However, the probability of disease is very low, and was just 1.02 (95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.04), indicating a 2% increase.
  • Glucocorticoids*
  • Immunosuppressants*
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)* : Acetylsalicylic acid
  • Opioids*

* Drugs that have a negative effect on the progression of diverticular disease.