Primary prevention

Increasing dietary fiber intake by generous consumption of fruits and vegetables, limiting red meat and salt consumption, undertaking regular physical activity to maintain ideal body weight and avoid obesity, and stopping smoking may help prevent development of diverticula and subsequent diverticulitis.[7][15][41][42]​​​[43]

Secondary prevention

No established guidelines are available for secondary prevention of diverticulitis. However, promoting general health measures such as regular physical activity, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, and decreasing consumption of saturated fats, red meats, and sugar will improve cardiovascular health and may decrease prevalence of diverticulitis.​[43][60]​​[108]

Mesalamine, probiotics, or rifaximin are not recommended for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.[43][59] Evidence shows that mesalamine does not reduce the risk of recurrence.[101] [ Cochrane Clinical Answers logo ]  There is insufficient evidence for the use of rifaximin, mesalamine and rifaximin in combination, balsalazide (a 5-aminosalicylic acid prodrug) and probiotics in combination, or burdock tea.[59][101]

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