There is Help for Diverticulitis and Leaky Gut!

Q. What can you recommend to help my acute Diverticulitis and Leaky Gut. I've also just got over a bout with C. Difficile infection.

A. The supplements I recommend for you for Diverticulitis and Leaky Gut, and prevention of C. difficile infection are as follows:

• HMF Intensive Probiotics - Start with 1 capsule a day with a meal for about 1 week, then start the Lactobacillus GG (below). You can increase to 1 capsule with 2 meals a day at week three, then 1 cap with 3 meals a day on week four (would recommend getting 2 bottles - 30 caps each). This will help colonize your intestinal wall with 4 strains of good bacteria (minimum 24 billion cells per capsule), while pushing out yeast and other bad bacteria. After 4 weeks, you could drop down to 1-2 caps a day until the second bottle is finished. Then I can then recommend a maintenance probiotic, depending on how you are doing. Additionally, at some point you may want to also consider adding this fiber product below.

• Lactobacillus GG - Take 1 capsule a day after you have been on the HMF Intensive for about one week. I encourage you to start this sooner if you are tolerating the HMF Intensive okay without any loose stools. This strain of Lactobacillus (30 billion per cap) will help in management of gastrointestinal disorders including clostridium difficile associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  

• Tegricel Colostrum - 2 capsules with each meal, 6 per day, in your acute phase, once better, you can reduce to 1 capsule twice daily. Bovine colostrum performs the following roles in the protection of the gastrointestinal tract: maintains integrity of mucosa, protects against intestinal permeability, aids local immunity, systemic immunity and antigen handling. It has been suggested to heal and repair damaged tissue from the use of NSAID’s.
  

• Amino Detox - build up to 3 capsules twice daily for one month between meals, to help the liver with the upregulation of phase II enzymes detoxification pathways to help with toxin removal from the body. You may need to take this for several months before beginning further detoxification efforts.

• L-Glutamine Powder 250g - take 3-10 tsp a day to help with gut healing and immune system weakness. Start low and build up the dose. Glutamine can be taken in water, juice, or mixed into healthy shakes. Cofactor nutrient: vitamin B6, 50mg per day, helps the body use glutamine more effectively. Taking 5 tsp. or more per day of glutamine decreases protein needs slightly, as glutamine helps the body use protein more effectively.

• B6 (Sublingual) Liquid by DFH - 1 tsp a day, provides 50mg per dose, along with cofactors magnesium and zinc, helpful in gut healing.

These are supportive supplements which assist in the process of intestinal healing, you can add the following one at a time along with the above recommendations:

• GI Revive - 1 teaspoon mixed with 4 oz water, twice a day. To help soothe and support your GI for intestinal healing. You may want to add this after you finish your L-Glutamine. This also comes in capsules if your prefer.
  

• Aloe 200X - 1 with each meal. Aloe Vera juice can be effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study in the Journal of Alternative Medicine. Ten patients were given two ounces of Aloe juice, three times daily, for seven days. After one week, all patients were cured of diarrhea, four had improved bowel regularity, and three reported increased energy. Researchers concluded that Aloe was able to re-balance the intestines by "regulating gastrointestinal pH while improving gastrointestinal motility, increasing stool specific gravity, and reducing populations of certain fecal microorganisms, including yeast." Other studies have shown that Aloe Vera juice helps to detoxify the bowel, neutralize stomach acidity, and relieve constipation and gastric ulcers.
  

• Cod Liver Oil by DFH - 1 TBSP a day with any meal to reduce inflammation in the gut.
  

• Digestzymes - these are digestive enzymes along with a little HCL to help with the digestion of your foods. Take 1 with each meal.
  

• Paleofiber - This is an excellent food-based, natural gentle fiber I would also recommend adding when you are feeling better. Gradually build up to 1 TBSP mixed with water on an empty stomach 1 time per day (can use on an ongoing basis). This will help with stool regularity, removing toxins in the gut, while bringing in some additional probiotics. This product also comes in capsules if you prefer, but you have to take 14 capsules to equal 1 TBSP.

Are you eating enough protein at each meal? If you need additional protein, try adding this sprouted brown rice protein powder daily:

PaleoMeal Dariy Free Protein Powder - this hypoallergenic powder is ideal for mixing with water or other beverage for a quick snack or light meal. It provides 17g of protein per serving and other health promoting nutrients and enzymes. It also has some carb content to help keep blood sugars more balanced than just protein alone. You may want to check out Annika's video on making smoothies for some ideas, she is using whey protein, but this DF PaleoMeal will be a good substitute if you want to stay away from dairy based whey: Smoothies.