Is Vitamin C Good For Diverticulitis

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Debunking Myths About Diverticular Disease

Myth #3: Diverticulitis Can't Be Predicted

Myth number 3 is that in patients with diverticulosis, there are no known predictors of diverticulitis or ways to prevent a relapse of diverticulitis.

There is evidence from a study^[4] of a cohort in Boston, in which vitamin D levels were assessed as a possible predictor of diverticulitis in patients with diverticulosis. Patients with low serum hydroxyvitamin D levels had a much higher likelihood of having diverticulitis or complications of diverticulitis. Vitamin D levels were normal in patients with uncomplicated diverticulosis. Why does that make sense?

Vitamin D has a role in maintaining colonic homeostasis and mucosal integrity and in modulating inflammation in the gut. It makes sense that lower vitamin D levels might be associated with a lower incidence of diverticulitis. Diverticulosis and particularly diverticulitis have some seasonal variation, as does inflammatory bowel disease -- and this may also be associated with the seasonal differences in sun exposure, which may influence the vitamin D level.

So myth number 3, that nothing can be done to prevent the development or recurrence of diverticulitis, is not true. Maybe something can be done. Check the patient's vitamin D levels, or as I do in my practice, just tell patients who have had diverticulosis or diverticulitis, "Take a vitamin D supplement, provided that there are no other contraindications. A daily 2000-IU dose of vitamin D may help you for lots of reasons and has lots of good health implications." It's a relatively easy thing to add in. We don't have any longitudinal prevention data, but certainly the retrospective data are at least suggestive.

Cite this: Debunking Myths About Diverticular Disease -Medscape - Apr 07, 2014.

Common Conditions: Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Myth #1: Diverticulosis Frequently Progresses to Diverticulitis and Myth #2: Constipation Raises the Risk for Diverticulosis
Myth #3: Diverticulitis Can't Be Predicted
Myth #4: Recurrent Diverticulitis Is Inevitable
References

Authors and Disclosures

Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Professor of Medicine, Chief of Gastroenterology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia

Disclosure: David A. Johnson, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Served as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.; CRH Medical; Merck & Co, Inc.; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP; WebMD Health; Journal Watch Gastroenterology
Served as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America
Received research grant from: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Merck & Co., Inc.; CRH Medical; WebMD Health; Journal Watch Gastroenterology

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Is Vitamin C Good For Diverticulitis

Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/822917_3

Is Vitamin C Good For Diverticulitis