Kick Colon Complications to the Curb!

Today’s Agenda

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Symptoms, Stats, Treatment, and Cats

Just kidding about the cats

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis

Diverticulitis

Complications of Diverticulitis

• Infections

• Abscesses

• Peritonitis

• Intestinal obstruction

• Fistula

• Rectal bleeding (rare)

• Infections

• Abscesses

• Peritonitis

• Intestinal obstruction

• Fistula

• Rectal bleeding (rare)

Causes of Diverticular Disease

• Low-fiber diet.

• Lack of exercise may also be a contributing factor.

• Low-fiber diet.

• Lack of exercise may also be a contributing factor.

Treatment of Diverticular Disease

• Getting enough fiber can keep diverticular disease from getting worse – aim for 35 g or more per day.

• Treatment of inflammation and any infection that accompanies diverticulitis.

• Getting enough fiber can keep diverticular disease from getting worse – aim for 35 g or more per day.

• Treatment of inflammation and any infection that accompanies diverticulitis.

Treatment Myth!

• In the past, doctors advised people with diverticular disease to steer clear of seeds, nuts, popcorn, etc because they seemed to irritate the colon.

• No data supports that theory!

• In the past, doctors advised people with diverticular disease to steer clear of seeds, nuts, popcorn, etc because they seemed to irritate the colon.

• No data supports that theory!

Diverticular Quiz

• Which of the following is the only widely accepted treatment of diverticular disease?A) Specialized diet C) TransfusionsB) Increased fiber D) No treatment

• True or False: Nuts, seeds, and popcorn can block or irritate the colons of people with diverticular disease.

• Which of the following is the only widely accepted treatment of diverticular disease?A) Specialized diet C) TransfusionsB) Increased fiber D) No treatment

• True or False: Nuts, seeds, and popcorn can block or irritate the colons of people with diverticular disease.

Diverticular Quiz

• Which of the following is the only widely accepted treatment for diverticular disease?A) Specialized diet C) TransfusionsB) Increased fiber D) No treatment

• True or False: Nuts, seeds, and popcorn can block or irritate the colons of people with diverticular disease.

• Which of the following is the only widely accepted treatment for diverticular disease?A) Specialized diet C) TransfusionsB) Increased fiber D) No treatment

• True or False: Nuts, seeds, and popcorn can block or irritate the colons of people with diverticular disease.

Colon Cancer

Shall I compare thee to diverticular disease?

Prevalence

Colon cancer is the … • 2nd leading cause of

cancer death In the US.• 4th most common cancer

in the world.

Your risk of colon cancer rises sharply after age 50.

What Are the Signs of Colon Cancer?

Did You Know?

• 75% of all colon cancer incidences could be prevented by diet and exercise.

Surprising Fact

• What is one of the most important things you can do to prevent cancer, including colon cancer?

• Answer: Avoid weight gain.

Poor Diet + Big Waist = Increased Cancer Risk

• Your cancer risk increases when you overeat and don’t exercise.

• Being overweight and sedentary account for one-third of colon cancer cases worldwide.

Poor Diet + Big Waist = Increased Cancer Risk

• Women and men double their risk of colon cancer if: • A woman’s waist is larger than 32 inches

around.• A man’s waist is larger than 36 inches

around.

Are You a Pear or an Apple?

• People with an apple shape face greater health risks than people with a pear shape.

• If your hips are bigger than your waist, then you have a pear shape.

• If your waist is bigger than your hips, then you have an apple shape.

Poor Diet + Big Waist = Increased Cancer Risk

• Abdominal fat is linked to increased insulin production.

• This may promote the growth of tumors in the colon.

Colon Cancer Quiz

• What is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent colon cancer?A) Avoid weight gain C) SleepB) Determine your shape D) Avoid soda

• True or false? Your risk of colon cancer rises sharply after age 50.

• What is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent colon cancer?A) Avoid weight gain C) SleepB) Determine your shape D) Avoid soda

• True or false? Your risk of colon cancer rises sharply after age 50.

Colon Cancer Quiz

• What is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent colon cancer?A) Avoid weight gain C) SleepB) Determine your shape D) Avoid soda

• True or false? Your risk of colon cancer rises sharply after age 50.

• What is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent colon cancer?A) Avoid weight gain C) SleepB) Determine your shape D) Avoid soda

• True or false? Your risk of colon cancer rises sharply after age 50.

Complication Promoters

Steer clear of these unhealthy habits and foods that promote

colon cancer!

Colon Complication Promoters

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Poor dietary habits:• Alcohol • Excess calories• Refined carbohydrates• Red and processed meats

Promoter: Sedentary Life

• A sedentary lifestyle includes things like…• Watching TV.• Sitting at a desk.• Surfing the web.

• Be more active during your leisure time.

Promoter: Alcohol

• Alcohol destroys folic acid, which guards against the DNA damage that causes cancer.

• Limit alcohol consumption to no more than… • 1 drink per day (women).• 2 drinks per day (men).

Promoter: Excess Calories

• Excess calories usually come from energy-dense foods that are…• Low in fiber.• High in fat.• High in sugar.

Promoter: Refined Carbohydrates

• Eating high-sugar, refined-carbohydrate foods triggers excessive insulin and insulin growth production, which can increase growth of cancer cells in the colon.

Promoter: Meat

• Eat no more than 3 ounces of beef, pork, or lamb per day.

• Cancer-causing compounds are produced when meats are cooked at very high temperatures.

• Grill vegetables, tofu, and fruit instead.

Safe Grilling Tips

• Use marinades.

• Flip frequently.

• Remove fat.

• Use foil and avoid direct flame.

• Microwave first, then grill.

• Do not eat charred meat.

Danger Zone Quiz

• Excess calories usually come from energy-dense foods that are _____.A) Low-fiber C) High-fat

B) High-sugar D) All of the above

• True or false? Cancer-causing compounds are produced when meats are cooked at very high temperatures.

• Excess calories usually come from energy-dense foods that are _____.A) Low-fiber C) High-fat

B) High-sugar D) All of the above

• True or false? Cancer-causing compounds are produced when meats are cooked at very high temperatures.

Danger Zone Quiz

• Excess calories usually come from energy-dense foods that are _____.A) Low-fiber C) High-fat

B) High-sugar D) All of the above

• True or false? Cancer-causing compounds are produced when meats are cooked at very high temperatures.

• Excess calories usually come from energy-dense foods that are _____.A) Low-fiber C) High-fat

B) High-sugar D) All of the above

• True or false? Cancer-causing compounds are produced when meats are cooked at very high temperatures.

Colon Health Protectors

An ounce of prevention…

Colon Protectors

• Exercise

• Fiber

• Vitamin D

• Calcium

• Folate (Folic Acid)

• Good Fats

• Green Tea

• Exercise

• Fiber

• Vitamin D

• Calcium

• Folate (Folic Acid)

• Good Fats

• Green Tea

Exercise: The Best Protection

• When it comes to preventing colon cancer and diverticular disease, exercise is an important lifestyle habit.

• Regular exercise can reduce a person’s risk of colon cancer by 50%.

Exercise: The Best Protection

• Exercise…• Speeds the movement of

food through the intestine.• Decreases bile acid

secretion.• Boosts the immune system. • Decreases the circulating

insulin levels that are thought to stimulate tumor growth.

• Helps weight management.

Protector: Fiber-Rich Foods

• Fiber may offer protection against colon cancer and diverticular disease.

• Rates of colon cancer and diverticular disease are low in countries with low-fat, high-fiber diets.

Protector: Fiber-Rich Foods

• Fiber is the part of plant foods that is not digested by the human body.

• It lends structure, texture, and support to plants, yet it does not have any caloric value.

• Fiber is the part of plant foods that is not digested by the human body.

• It lends structure, texture, and support to plants, yet it does not have any caloric value.

Protector: Fiber-Rich Foods• Fiber… • Increases stool bulk.• Speeds the transit time of

stool through the colon, reducing the time that carcinogens stay in your system.

• Absorbs bile acids.

• Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber per day.

Fiber is Your Friend!

Fiber-Rich Foods: Beans

• Beans/legumes have the highest fiber content. • Lentils, split peas, black beans, pinto beans,

chickpeas, white beans are all members of this group

• Did we mention that they’re a great source of lean protein?

Fiber-Rich Foods: Whole Grains

• Eating more whole grains lowers your overall refined carbohydrate intake.

• Whole grains contain more antioxidants and phytochemicals than refined grains. These elements help prevent tumor growth.

Fiber-Rich Foods: Fruits and Vegetables

• Aim for a pound or about 4.5 cups of fruits and veggies each day.

• Use MyPlate to remember to fill half your plate with fruits and veggies.

Protector: Vitamin D• Vitamin D is linked to lower

colon cancer incidence.

• 20 minutes of daily sun exposure provides the recommended amount of vitamin D without increasing your skin cancer risk.

Protector: Calcium

• Researchers found that just 700 mg of calcium a day (from food or supplements) reduced a person’s risk of colon cancer by 50%.

• Heed MyPlate’s recommendation and get 3 cup servings of calcium-rich foods daily.

Protector: Folate (Folic Acid)

• This B vitamin guards against the DNA damage that causes cancer.

• Diets with a folate deficiency are associated with higher colon cancer risk.

Protector: Good Fats

• Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts can improve colon health.

Protector: Green Tea

• Green tea may offer protection against colon cancer.

Quiz of the Protectors

• Regular exercise can reduce your risk of colon cancer by _____.

A) 0% C) 50%B) 25% D) 75%

• True or false? Refined grains contain more antioxidants and phytochemicals than whole grains.

• Regular exercise can reduce your risk of colon cancer by _____.

A) 0% C) 50%B) 25% D) 75%

• True or false? Refined grains contain more antioxidants and phytochemicals than whole grains.

Quiz of the Protectors

• Regular exercise can reduce your risk of colon cancer by _____.

A) 0% C) 50%B) 25% D) 75%

• True or false? Refined grains contain more antioxidants and phytochemicals than whole grains.

• Regular exercise can reduce your risk of colon cancer by _____.

A) 0% C) 50%B) 25% D) 75%

• True or false? Refined grains contain more antioxidants and phytochemicals than whole grains.

Eat Right for Colon Health

An apple a day CAN keep the doctor away.

Especially when combined with other fiber- and nutrient-rich foods.

Limit Processed Foods

• The typical modern Western diet is characterized by high intake of…* Red meats * High-fat dairy* Processed meats * Sweets and

desserts• French fries * Refined grains

• At least 75-80% of the colon cancers in the United States could be prevented if Americans were to adopt a better diet.

• The typical modern Western diet is characterized by high intake of…* Red meats * High-fat dairy* Processed meats * Sweets and

desserts• French fries * Refined grains

• At least 75-80% of the colon cancers in the United States could be prevented if Americans were to adopt a better diet.

Avoid Western Diets

• A study by the Dan-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston revealed that people who ate a Western diet were much more likely to have a recurrence of colon cancer than those who did not.

• A study by the Dan-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston revealed that people who ate a Western diet were much more likely to have a recurrence of colon cancer than those who did not.

Eat A Better Diet

• Choose healthful foods…* Fruit * Nonfat Dairy

* Good Fats * Vegetables• Lean Protein * Whole Grains

• Include foods that are fortified with vitamin D, calcium, and folate like milk, soymilk and fortified whole grain cereals.

• Choose healthful foods…* Fruit * Nonfat Dairy

* Good Fats * Vegetables• Lean Protein * Whole Grains

• Include foods that are fortified with vitamin D, calcium, and folate like milk, soymilk and fortified whole grain cereals.

Craft a Menu

• Can you create a menu for a day filled with foods that promote colon health?

• Follow MyPlate’s portion and proportion advice.

• Can you create a menu for a day filled with foods that promote colon health?

• Follow MyPlate’s portion and proportion advice.

40 Grams Fiber

Diet Quiz

• Which food is not part of a typical Western diet?

A) Whole grains C) Red meatsB) Processed meats D) French fries

• True or false? At least 80% of the colon cancers in the US could be prevented with an improved diet.

• Which food is not part of a typical Western diet?

A) Whole grains C) Red meatsB) Processed meats D) French fries

• True or false? At least 80% of the colon cancers in the US could be prevented with an improved diet.

Diet Quiz

• Which food is not part of a typical Western diet?

A) Whole grains C) Red meatsB) Processed meats D) French fries

• True or false? At least 80% of the colon cancers in the US could be prevented with an improved diet.

• Which food is not part of a typical Western diet?

A) Whole grains C) Red meatsB) Processed meats D) French fries

• True or false? At least 80% of the colon cancers in the US could be prevented with an improved diet.

3 Take-Home Messages

• Stay active! • Maintain a healthy weight.• Practice safe consumption:• Eat a low-fat, high-fiber,

plant-based diet.• Get vitamin D.• Avoid eating too much meat and

meat cooked at high temperatures.

• Avoid excess alcohol consumption.

“Quit worrying about your health. It'll go away.”

Robert Orben

“Quit worrying about your health. It'll go away.”

Robert Orben