Re: Hveragerthi: your input appreciated

 I addressed the claims made by the the author in this post:

http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1461458#i

I also warn against using wheat bran in some cases such as diverticulitis.  It would be a good idea to eliminate wheat fiber, and maybe wheat altogether just in case this is a gluten intolerance.:

http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1461373#i

The same also applies to psyllium, which can damage the intestines and cause bloating.

Probiotics and prebiotics would be a good idea.  For probiotics I prefer kefir or other liver culture foods like sauerkraut or miso.  For prebiotics soft fibers are best, especially if you do have diverticulitis or some other intestinal inflammation.  My first choices are rice bran or oat bran since they are also very nutritional.  Gums such as konjac, guar and xanthan gums are also great for stimulating growth of the intestinal flora.  Fruits and vegetables would also be good for fiber, but avoid things with tiny seeds such as strawberries, which can aggravate diverticulitis.

Carbohydrates do not need to be avoided, they are not evil.  But simple and refined carbohydrates should be limited.

Same for meats.  They do not need to be eliminated but should be limited since animal proteins provide inflammatory arachidonic acid.

A mixture of licorice root and yucca root is great for helping to keep down intestinal inflammation and to clean out the diverticuli in diverticulitis.