Natural treatments for diverticular disease

DEFINITION: Treatment of infected or inflamed pouches in the large intestine.

• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED TREATMENTS: None
• OTHER PROPOSED TREATMENTS: Fiber supplements, psyllium, glucomannan, methylcellulose, glutamine, vitamin D, slippery elm, aloe vera, lifestyle changes

Introduction

Almost half of all Americans older than sixty develop diverticulosis, which are small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the colon. In most cases, these diverticula do not cause any discomfort. However, in some people with diverticulosis, the diverticula may become inflamed or infected, resulting in a condition called diverticulitis. Symptoms of diverticulitis include pain, nausea, and sometimes fever.

It is thought that the main cause of diverticulosis is the relatively low-fiber diet consumed in developed countries. Fiber is critical to digestion because it softens stools and makes them pass through the bowel more easily. Factors that cause diverticulitis include increased pressure in the bowel from straining to pass a hard stool, defects in the colon wall, and chronic constipation. Conventional treatment of diverticulitis includes dietary changes, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery.

Proposed Natural Treatments

Fiber supplements have shown promise for both preventing and treating diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Studies suggest (but do not prove) that diets high in fiber and low in total fat and red meat may help prevent diverticular disease. Furthermore, high fiber consumption may help prevent diverticulitis from developing in people with diverticulosis. However, this has not been proven, and the results of the scant published controlled trials on the topic have been inconsistent.

Psyllium, glucomannan, and methylcellulose are common fiber supplements used to treat diverticulitis. However, the use of fiber supplements during an active bout of diverticulitis is not advisable because the colon needs to rest.

Evidence is emerging in the twenty-first century that obesity and the consumption of alcohol increase the risk of diverticular disease. However, high levels of physical activity may reduce the risk of developing the condition.

Other proposed natural treatments for diverticular disease that require additional scientific study include the amino acid glutamine, which may support digestive health and boost the immune system. Preliminary studies suggest a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and diverticular disease, similar to that seen with Crohn's disease. Slippery elm has been used traditionally to soothe the digestive tract, and aloe vera’s inflammatory properties have also been suggested as a potential adjuvant treatment. However, these proposed natural uses require additional study in humans for these specific uses. Finally, regular exercise and managing stress may also improve digestive symptoms. 

Bibliography

Aldoori, W., and M. Ryan-Harshman. “Preventing Diverticular Disease: Review of Recent Evidence on High-Fibre Diets.” Canadian Family Physician, vol. 48, 2002, pp. 1632–7.

“Diverticulitis Usually Managed by Lifestyle Changes.” UCLA Health, 28 Dec. 2022, www.uclahealth.org/news/article/diverticulitis-usually-managed-lifestyle-changes. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Feldman, Mark, et al., editors. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. New ed., 2 vols. Saunders/Elsevier, 2010.

McMillen, Matt. “Glutamine: Health Benefits, Safety Information, Dosage, and More.” WebMD, 25 Oct. 2024, www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-glutamine. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Murray, C. D., and A. V. Emmanuel. “Medical Management of Diverticular Disease.” Best Practice and Research: Clinical Gastroenterology, vol. 16, 2002, pp. 611–20.

Ornstein, M. H., et al. “Are Fibre Supplements Really Necessary in Diverticular Disease of the Colon?” British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition), vol. 25, 1981, pp. 1353–6.

“Overview: Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis.” NCBI, 28 Dec. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507004. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Patel, Bhavesh, et al. "Computational Analysis of Mechanical Stress in Colonic Diverticulosis." Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 6014, 2020, pp. 1-12, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63049-w. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Pogacnik, Javier Salgado. "Living with Diverticulitis: Get the Full Scope of Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention." UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6 Oct. 2021, utswmed.org/medblog/diverticulitis-symptoms-treatment. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Roberson, Jeffrey L., and Erica N. Pettke. "Dietary Risk Factors: Fiber and Beyond." Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, vol. 38, no. 4, 2024, pp. 253-6, doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1791552. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Smits, B. J., et al. “Lactulose in the Treatment of Symptomatic Diverticular Disease: A Comparative Study with High-Fibre Diet.” British Journal of Clinical Practice, vol. 44, 1990, pp. 314–8.

Stelluti, Anne-Mari. “Advances in Diverticular Disease and Diet.” Gastrointestinal Society, badgut.org/information-centre/health-nutrition/advances-in-dd-and-diet. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.