Lack of fiber in diet is a trigger for diverticulosis.(Life - Health)

Byline: DR. PAUL DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE. I had a colonoscopy, and the doctor didn't find any cancer or any polyps. He did find diverticulosis. Should I be concerned?

- L.M.

DEAR L.M.: A diverticulum is a pea- to grape-sized protrusion of the colon lining through the colon's muscular wall. It's a very common condition in Western countries - about 5 percent of people in their 40s have diverticula; by age 80 more than 50 percent have it.

It's believed to come from our highly refined diet. In preparing grains, we discard the outer cover of grain - the bran. Bran contains fiber, and fiber is nature's laxative. Without enough fiber, undigested …