Most older Americans suffer from diverticular disease. The condition, small pouches that bulge outward through weak spots on the colon, often trap material and become infected or inflamed. The main cause of this disease, first recorded in the U.S. in the early 1900s, is a low fiber diet. The reduction of fiber in Americans diet was caused by the consumption of processed foods, such as white rice and flour, without the bran. The natural fiber in fruits, vegetables and grains, and foods such as Nutri-Rice, helps the intestines by softening stools and preventing constipation. Constipation causes these weak spots to bulge and become irritated. Is diverticular disease dangerous? It can lead to bleeding, to abscesses, perforation of the colon, peritonitis, even death. To avoid this, physicians recommend, along with personalized treatment of each case, a diet high in fiber.

(Source: The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, under the U.S. Public Health Service. Additional information may be found at www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/divert/divert.htm)