Diet help with celiac disease and newly diagnosed diverticulitis

[NanceK]

Hi…I’m a “silent” celiac disease patient diagnosed two years ago after terrible DEXA results and neuropathy. No GI symptoms. Now, after being gluten-free, I’ve been diagnosed with diverticulitis and will be having a colonoscopy after the colon heals better. I’ve had no help with diet for this and was discharged from the hospital with no info on diet. A nurse told me I can eat anything (?). I’m really having difficulty with both diets and I’m afraid to eat as I don’t want to cause more inflammation in my colon. I was on a liquid diet in hospital for 3 days.  From what info I can gather online, I shouldn’t eat certain veggies or fruits (which I use in my gluten-free diet always), no salads, no corn, no red meat. I really feel that the nutritional improvements I’ve made over the last two years will be lost. No help from medical professionals at this point and no follow up for the celiac disease since diagnosis. I was told at that time by the doctor that since I didn’t have GI symptoms and at my age (62) I don’t have to be strictly gluten-free and to look up info online. I had moderate celiac disease on biopsy. Thankfully, I’ve followed this site and have looked online for my gluten-free diet. I’m at a loss on how to combine the two. Anyone out there with celiac disease AND diverticulitis? Any pointers will help. Sorry so long! Thank you! 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, NancyK!

First, the doctor who told you that you don't have to be strictly gluten free because you don't have GI symptoms at your age gave you very incorrect and dangerous advice. This is another example of many, many we see here on the forum of blatant ignorance on the part of most primary care physicians with regard to celiac disease. Apparently, the onset of your disease was later in life and had not been active long enough to severely damage the villi lining your small bowel. But if you are lax with regard to eating gluten free that could change as the damage progresses.

Second, I am no expert on diverticular disease but I have known many people with it, including my mother, and what I've always heard concerning dietary precautions is to avoid nuts and seeds and other foods that are composed of tiny pieces that might get caught in the pockets of the colon's lining that form from the disease. When food gets trapped in those pockets, infections develop. For sure, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are out because of their tiny seeds. When there is active infection, other food restrictions may be necessary. I can see corn being a problem because the seed hulls tend to remain intact. I think the idea might be to avoid things that are tiny and things that are rough. But it would also be important to maintain a good amount of fiber so as not to get constipated so that could be a challenge. Soluble (vs. insoluble) bulk products would be helpful with that I'm thinking: https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/whats-the-best-fiber-supplement#types-of-fiber. Be careful to choose a fiber product that is gluten free.

The other thing I want to say, though you may know this, is that celiac disease affects a different part of the intestine than does diverticular disease. Celiac disease affects the upper bowel just below the stomach while diverticular disease affects the other end.

[NanceK]

1 hour ago, NanceK said:

Hi…I’m a “silent” celiac disease patient diagnosed two years ago after terrible DEXA results and neuropathy. No GI symptoms. Now, after being gluten-free, I’ve been diagnosed with diverticulitis and will be having a colonoscopy after the colon heals better. I’ve had no help with diet for this and was discharged from the hospital with no info on diet. A nurse told me I can eat anything (?). I’m really having difficulty with both diets and I’m afraid to eat as I don’t want to cause more inflammation in my colon. I was on a liquid diet in hospital for 3 days.  From what info I can gather online, I shouldn’t eat certain veggies or fruits (which I use in my gluten-free diet always), no salads, no corn, no red meat. I really feel that the nutritional improvements I’ve made over the last two years will be lost. No help from medical professionals at this point and no follow up for the celiac disease since diagnosis. I was told at that time by the doctor that since I didn’t have GI symptoms and at my age (62) I don’t have to be strictly gluten-free and to look up info online. I had moderate celiac disease on biopsy. Thankfully, I’ve followed this site and have looked online for my gluten-free diet. I’m at a loss on how to combine the two. Anyone out there with celiac disease AND diverticulitis? Any pointers will help. Sorry so long! Thank you! 

Thank you for your reply Trents. Yes it’s unfortunate that sometimes we don’t get the info we need from health professionals. My GI doctor told me the above, not my primary! You just end up trying to figure it out on your own and with the help of sites like this one. I do know that each disease affects different areas (small intestine va large). However, I do wonder if for some reason it could be all connected. I was happy that I could eat Mexican food  - corn tortillas and taco chips - after my celiac disease dx, but now with the diverticulitis not quite sure. I’m thinking of seeing a dietician or nutritionist to try and get more of a handle on things once I’m feeling better. And the advice on the insoluable vs soluable fiber is great, thanks!  

[Beverage]

On 12/7/2022 at 11:12 AM, trents said:

Second, I am no expert on diverticular disease but I have known many people with it, including my mother, and what I've always heard concerning dietary precautions is to avoid nuts and seeds and other foods that are composed of tiny pieces that might get caught in the pockets of the colon's lining that form from the disease. When food gets trapped in those pockets, infections develop. For sure, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are out because of their tiny seeds. When there is active infection, other food restrictions may be necessary. I can see corn being a problem because the seed hulls tend to remain intact. I think the idea might be to avoid things that are tiny and things that are rough. But it would also be important to maintain a good amount of fiber so as not to get constipated so that could be a challenge. Soluble (vs. insoluble) bulk products would be helpful with that I'm thinking: https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/whats-the-best-fiber-supplement#types-of-fiber. Be careful to choose a fiber product that is gluten free.

 

Not eating seeds and nuts is no longer recommended for diverticulitis. You can do an internet search and see that that advice has changed in recent years and is now considered a myth. Here is one example:  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/diverticular-disease-greatest-myths-and-facts/

My sister has diverticulitis really bad, had a section of intestine removed.  On my recommendation, she been taking this, from larch trees:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTTSY79/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As long as she stays on taking this, 1 tsp a day, she hasn't gotten another attack. Caution, though, need to drink lots of water.

I learned about IAG from my naturopath that diagnosed me with Celiac's. He had recommended it for intestinal healing at first, and I seemed to heal quicker than I expected.

I had an attack of diverticulitis 1 time, when I wasn't taking this daily, haven't had it since going back on it now. My sister and I eat all that stuff that you were told not to eat, just not a lot of steak or longer meat fibers, not because of diverticulitis, but I just don't like to eat that. I do eat ground beef though, organic grass fed. And I eat tons of salad and veggies, a little flax seed here and there, berries, tomatoes, all the good stuff. Not sure about the corn, I don't eat much except because of Celiacs, corn tortillas. I think as long as you are getting tons of various types of fiber, water and veggies, and with the IAG powder, which is a natural antibiotic, you will have much less incidence.

 

 

 

 

[Beverage]

11 minutes ago, Beverage said:

And what I don't eat, is all that gummy gluten free bread and pasta, that would be bad for diverticulitis, sometimes I'll eat one made with lots of seed or some sort of fiber.

 

 

 

 

 

[knitty kitty]

@Beverage, 

Thanks for sharing!  This is really interesting!  I had to satisfy my curiosity and learn more, and found this...

Lactobacilli Supplemented with Larch Arabinogalactan and Colostrum Stimulates an Immune Response towards Peripheral NK Activation and Gut Tolerance

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352398/

I don't do well with the gummy gluten free breads, either!  

I'm going to give this a try! 

Thanks!

 

[Posterboy]

7 hours ago, knitty kitty said:

@Beverage, 

Thanks for sharing!  This is really interesting!  I had to satisfy my curiosity and learn more, and found this...

Lactobacilli Supplemented with Larch Arabinogalactan and Colostrum Stimulates an Immune Response towards Peripheral NK Activation and Gut Tolerance

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352398/

I don't do well with the gummy gluten free breads, either!  

I'm going to give this a try! 

Thanks!

 

Beverage and Knitty Kitty,

I agree that is good research.  I have been looking for a dietary fiber that agrees with me....

I take Glucommanan from time to time......but I somehow havent taken a liking to it the way I thought I would....

I will definitetly look that up at the Vitamin Shop (to see if they have it)......or my local supplement shop to see if I can order it.

Since Knitty Kitty mentioned the Natural Killer (NK) connection....

I though I would sight this research (though when I get time I want to post in a separate thread) or the Magnesium thread......

But it could be helpful too here as well....

If you  have Natural Killer cell problems then you have  Magnesium issues!

See this research

Entitled "Mg2+ (Magnesium) regulates cytotoxic functions of NK and CD8 T cells in chronic EBV infection through NKG2D"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23846901/

IT is truly amazing all the ways Magnesium help make and keep us healthy!

It also explains how and why EBV is associated with Celiac disease and seven other auto-immune diseases becasue we get low in Magnesium and the NK cells become Cytoxic.

See this research about it entitled "Epstein Barr virus linked to seven serious diseases" including Celiac disease.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-04-epstein-barr-virus-linked-diseases.html

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

2 Timothy 2:7  “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

Posterboy by the grace of God,

[ShaunaTX]

On 12/7/2022 at 1:12 PM, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, NancyK!

First, the doctor who told you that you don't have to be strictly gluten free because you don't have GI symptoms at your age gave you very incorrect and dangerous advice. This is another example of many, many we see here on the forum of blatant ignorance on the part of most primary care physicians with regard to celiac disease. Apparently, the onset of your disease was later in life and had not been active long enough to severely damage the villi lining your small bowel. But if you are lax with regard to eating gluten free that could change as the damage progresses.

Second, I am no expert on diverticular disease but I have known many people with it, including my mother, and what I've always heard concerning dietary precautions is to avoid nuts and seeds and other foods that are composed of tiny pieces that might get caught in the pockets of the colon's lining that form from the disease. When food gets trapped in those pockets, infections develop. For sure, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are out because of their tiny seeds. When there is active infection, other food restrictions may be necessary. I can see corn being a problem because the seed hulls tend to remain intact. I think the idea might be to avoid things that are tiny and things that are rough. But it would also be important to maintain a good amount of fiber so as not to get constipated so that could be a challenge. Soluble (vs. insoluble) bulk products would be helpful with that I'm thinking: https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/whats-the-best-fiber-supplement#types-of-fiber. Be careful to choose a fiber product that is gluten free.

The other thing I want to say, though you may know this, is that celiac disease affects a different part of the intestine than does diverticular disease. Celiac disease affects the upper bowel just below the stomach while diverticular disease affects the other end.

 

 

 

On 12/7/2022 at 1:12 PM, trents said:

Trents,

As a healthcare provider, I am happy to inform you that the avoidance of nuts and seeds is an outdated recommendation. More recent research shows there is no benefit with avoiding these foods. Thus people with diverticulosis (itis is when there is current inflammation; osis is the disease which is an outpouching of the colon), are able to have pretty much anything. They just need to avoid constipation to the best of their ability with increasing their fiber, staying hydrated and active.
 

NancyK,

My mom had been hospitalized over 20-years-ago with diverticulitis and had a colon resection.  She was also told to avoid nuts and seeds at the time. A few years ago she started eating nuts and seeds, and A LOT of popcorn as I told her there is no proof it helps and she has had no issues since introducing these foods. She eats A LOT of salad and, occasional red meat (gives her headaches), takes fiber everyday and has had no flare ups. She is also on a gluten-free diet! 
 

Before starting any type of herbal, vitamin or mineral supplementation, I suggest speaking with your provider. Many people don’t realize how these can affect the liver, kidney, blood and electrolytes function and/or levels. They can also interact with other medications. 

Hope that calms your worries a bit.

Some helpful resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183923/

https://badgut.org/information-centre/health-nutrition/who-says-you-cant-eat-nuts/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/diverticulitis-diet/faq-20058293

https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000051.htm

On 12/7/2022 at 1:12 PM, trents said:

 

 

[NanceK]

16 hours ago, ShaunaTX said:

Thank you for all the great responses and articles to read!  Definitely a learning process.