Skip to main content
ASK AN EXPERT
Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic? Here's your chance to get an answer. Send us your questions about general health topics, diet and fitness and mental health. If your question is chosen, it could be featured on CNN.com's health page with an answer from one of our health experts, or by a participant in the CNNhealth community.




* CNN encourages you to contribute a question. By submitting a question, you agree to the following terms found below.
You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. By submitting your question, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your questions(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statment.
Thank you for your question!

It will be reviewed and considered for posting on CNNHealth.com. Questions and comments are moderated by CNN and will not appear until after they have been reviewed and approved. Unfortunately, because of the voume of questions we receive, not all can be posted.

Submit another question or Go back to CNNHealth.com

Read answers from our experts: Living Well | Diet & Fitness | Mental Health | Conditions

Expert Q&A

Can probiotics help prevent diverticulitis?

Asked by Jessica Smith, Connecticut

Open quote
Close quote

I've heard that probiotics can help with diverticulitis. What is the strain of probiotics that would work best? Is there a brand name you can recommend? Should it be taken with antibiotics or after the 10-day prescribed course of antibiotics? I realize there is no cure for diverticulosis; I'm trying to be proactive.

Expert Bio Picture

Conditions Expert Dr. Otis Brawley Chief Medical Officer,
American Cancer Society

Expert answer

Dear Jessica:

Diverticulosis is a condition wherein small pouches bulge out at weak spots in the lining of the colon (each pouch is called a diverticulum). Diverticulitis is a bacterial infection at the base of the diverticulum. It can cause fever and significant abdominal discomfort.

The flare-ups of diverticulitis are best treated with antibiotics and once they quiet down they are best prevented by increasing the roughage in the diet. Metamucil and other bulk-forming laxatives may also prevent flare-ups.

Probiotics are so called "good bacteria." The concept is, if you populate the colon with these good bacteria, the bad bacteria are crowed out and are less likely to grow and cause pain. This appears true.

Rather than spending money on probiotics, I recommend increasing your use of active culture yogurt, which is easily found in grocery stores. Active culture yogurt has lots of the good bacteria. In addition, a diet with five to nine fruits and vegetables per day may help decrease the number of diverticulitis attacks.

More Q&A

  • CNN's Medical UnitCNN's medical unit brings you the best experts available to answer your questions about current events and health issues that matter most to you.
Is secondhand smoke really that risky?asked by: Asked by David; Tampa, Florida
Can a nerve stimulator stop my back pain?asked by: Asked by Larry; New York
Is the inability of cancer patients to eat a concern?asked by: Steve Snodgrass; Bowling Green, Kentucky

CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.

The information contained on this page does not and is not intended to convey medical advice. CNN is not responsible for any actions or inaction on your part based on the information that is presented here. Please consult a physician or medical professional for personal medical advice or treatment.