Common Gastro Disease Occurs Even With High-Fiber Diet

FRIDAY, Jan. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Eating a high-fiber
diet does not lower a person's risk of diverticulosis, but a low-fiber
diet might, according to a new study that contradicts what
doctors have believed for decades.

Diverticulosis is a disease of the intestines in which pouches
develop in the colon wall.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of
Medicine analyzed data from more than 2,100 patients,
aged 30 to 80, who underwent outpatient colonoscopy between
1998 and 2010. The patients were interviewed about their diet,
bowel
movements and level of physical activity.

Patients with the lowest fiber intake were 30 percent less
likely to develop diverticulosis than those with the highest
intake, according to the study published in the February issue
of the journal Gastroenterology.

The findings also showed that constipation was not a
risk
factor and that having more frequent bowel movements was linked to
an increased risk. Those with more than 15 bowel movements a
week were 70 percent more likely to develop diverticulosis than
those with fewer than seven bowel movements a week, the
investigators noted.

However, while the study uncovered an association between fiber
consumption, bowel movements and diverticulosis risk, it did
not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

In addition, no association was seen between diverticulosis and
physical inactivity or intake of fat or red meat.

"While it is too early to tell patients what to do differently,
these results are exciting for researchers," study lead
researcher Dr. Anne Peery, a fellow in the gastroenterology and
hepatology division, said in a university news release.
"Figuring out that we don't know something gives us the
opportunity to look at disease processes in new ways."

Diverticulosis affects about one-third of U.S. adults older
than 60, according to the news release. Most cases don't cause
symptoms, but the condition can cause complications such as
bleeding, infections, intestinal perforations and even death.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases has more about diverticulosis
and diverticulitis^[1].

References

1. ^{^} diverticulosis and
   diverticulitis (us.lrd.yahoo.com)