If you are an adult living in America chances are good you are or soon will be hosting a sneaky, silent disease that lies dormant, but can eventually rear its ugly head and leave you flat on your back (or on the operating table).

I’m talking about diverticulitis. 

Here’s what you need to know about this “silent” condition that is anything BUT silent when it strikes you.

Rates of this “silent” disease are increasing

About one out of 10 people over the age of 40 and half of the population over 60 have diverticulosis—the presence of little pea-sized pouches protruding out of the intestinal wall.

These pouches (called diverticula) are “silent” meaning they usually don’t cause symptoms—that’s why many people with diverticulosis don’t even know they have it.

Things change dramatically, however, if one or more of the diverticula become infected--known as diverticulitis.

Then you are facing intense abdominal pain along with fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and rectal bleeding, and are quite likely unable to function.

A disturbing trend

Although diverticulosis is common nowadays, that wasn’t always the case.  As a matter of fact, prior to 1917 it was unheard of.

“So what changed?” you may ask.

Our DIETS, that’s what.

Diverticulosis started “popping up” a few years after the world was introduced to processed foods in 1915. 

As we became increasingly reliant on these “so-called food stuffs” and shifted away from real whole foods, our digestion started going out the window because processed foods are very difficult to digest and lack natural fiber.

Poor digestion + lack of fiber = CONSTIPATION.

Straining to have a bowel movement when you’re constipated is the #1 leading contributing factor to diverticulosis—because having to exert serious pressure whenever Nature calls can eventually blow out the intestinal wall.

Also playing a role are obesity (which now describes one out of three of us), stress and irregular eating habits (skipping meals, then binging or overeating).

Diverticulitis is growing too!

Not only are a good number of us hosts to diverticulosis, but diverticulitis (infections in the pouches) is on the rise too.

The overall incidence of diverticulitis, with or without hospitalization, has increased by 50 percent since the year 2000, according to researcher Dr. Adil E. Bharucha of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Plus the disease is being seen in younger and younger people, which should be no surprise since poor diets and obesity rates in kids are skyrocketing too.

Better Ingredients = Better digestion

The good news here is that you can help turn your digestive health around, even if you’re already suffering from diverticulosis or diverticulitis. 

It’s never too late to start to feel better!

It’s just a matter of improving your digestion and supporting a healthier intestinal environment:

Eat actual “foods” & make your body’s job easier

Stay away from processed and fast foods, as well as refined carbohydrates.  Foods like these invite constipation and throw off your intestinal flora balance to boot.  Stick to real foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, dairy, eggs and (occasional) whole grains.

Strive to make half of your plate vegetables (other than potatoes and corn) and eat a tossed salad every day. 

It’s also important to structure your meals so they are less taxing on your GI tract by pairing foods together that your system can break down more efficiently.  The simple rule is this:

• Protein and veggies—OK
• Starch and veggies—OK
• Protein and starch—NO!
• Eat fruit alone on an empty stomach, or leave it alone

When you make your body’s digestive job easier, the end result (your BMs) can go along a lot easier too!

If you need more help with food combinations, the Great Taste No Pain health system can guide you.

Give your intestinal tract a healthy boost

The average person who eats a typical modern diet is seriously destroying their friendly gut flora.  Poor digestion and a high concentration of refined carbs create an intestinal environment that favors harmful bacteria—and your army of helpful bacteria suffers.

And if you add in the possibilities of stress, medication use, exposure to environmental toxins or past or present use of antibiotics (which all harm your gut flora), chances are great most people have some degree of harmful bacteria overgrowth (dysbiosis).

Not only can this hamper your digestion and immune system functioning, but having a large amount of harmful bacteria festering in your intestinal tract is a great way to invite a diverticulitis attack (if you’ve already got diverticulosis).

That's why an outstanding probiotic supplement like Super Shield is so helpful for the vast majority of people.

Super Shield pays careful attention to both of your intestines--it contains certain species of bacteria that inhabit the small intestine (Lactobacillus) and others that live in your colon (Bifidobacteria).  So you're covered from one end of the intestinal tract to the other!

Probiotics also help your intestinal flora rebound from antibiotic use, which is a common treatment for diverticulitis. 

A little change can make a huge difference!

It can make a dramatic difference in how you feel when you take just a few simple steps to help your body accomplish what Nature intended it to!

A whole new world of feeling good, having more energy and saying goodbye to digestive problems can soon become your reality!

See what a difference it can make for you—you’ll never regret it.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia