If you're having a flare-up of diverticulitis, avoid Metamucil and all other high-fiber products. In fact, your doctor will likely prescribe a liquid diet for a few days. Once your symptoms subside, gradually introduce low-fiber foods. Eating Metamucil and other high-fiber foods can help you avoid diverticular disease if you don't already have it. Fiber can help reduce the frequency of episodes if you do have diverticulosis, but speak with your physician before taking Metamucil.
About Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis affects more than 50 percent of Americans age 60 and older, according to the National Institutes of Health. You may have diverticulosis and experience no symptoms. Sometimes small sacs, called diverticula, develop along the lining of your colon. Diverticula can become inflamed, infected or even perforated. This condition is called diverticulitis. If you have diverticulitis, you may also have a fever, abdominal pain, nausea or bloating. You may lose your appetite too. No one knows for sure what causes diverticulosis, but eating a low-fiber diet is a likely trigger.
Psyllium in Metamucil
Psyllium is a type of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water whereas insoluble fiber has a laxative effect and adds bulk to your stool. Metamucil is just one brand name under which psyllium is sold. The psyllium in Metamucil contains mucilage, a thick, clear, sticky, plant-based substance. Once ingested, the mucilage in psyllium forms a gel and slows down your digestive process. According to the Institute of Medicine, psylium has no smell or taste.
How Fiber Helps Diverticulosis
Eating a high-fiber diet helps prevent diverticulosis and its complications, including diverticulitis. Fiber keeps your stool soft, avoiding intestinal irritation. Sprinkle Metamucil in water or tea or even incorporate it into recipes. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that men age 50 and younger eat 38 g of fiber daily. Women age 50 and younger should eat 25 g of fiber. Older men should eat at least 30 g daily, and older women should strive for 21 g daily.
Additional Fiber Sources
Eating a high-fiber diet not only keeps your colon healthy, it can also benefit your general health. Fiber normalizes your bowel movements, helps control your blood sugar and benefits weight loss. Metamucil and other fiber supplements are helpful, but to reduce episodes of diverticulitis you should also increase your dietary intake of fiber with fruits, vegetables, beans and products made with whole grains instead of refined grains.
Concerns
Eating fiber while you are having an episode of diverticulitis can further irritate your colon. Diverticulitis is normally easily treated, but complications can develop. Contact your physician immediately if you are unable to eat after two or three days or have back pain or stomach pain that worsens. Do not take Metamucil for more than a week unless directed to do so by your physician.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Diverticulitis
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Fiber
- PubMed Health: Psyllium
- Purdue University: Psyllium
- "Dietary Reference Intakes: Proposed Definition of Dietary Fiber"; Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine; 2001
