*A common cause of diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome: chronic distal colon distention from sedentary behavior and excessive dietary fiber.

2013-1.pdf

Accessible Summary:

Purpose:  To explain the cause of these conditions which was previously unknown, through a multi-disciplinary analysis.

Synopsis: Footwear use by all social classes commenced with the European Renaissance. Shoe use caused humans to change from being weight-bearing to sitting most wakeful hours. This attenuated the effect of gravitational force on distal colon mobility resulting in mild chronic intestinal obstruction. The excessive distention that followed caused synptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal wall damage resulting in diverticula formation. This process was exacerbated by the change from eating manly meat which humans are well adapted to digesting to excessive fiber which results in low pressure distention that functions in water homeostasis.

Significance: This report leads to prevention of irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis though increasing weight-bearing time, reducing fiber consumption and perhaps novel means to prevent low pressure colon distention.