Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0173 |
| Title: | An association between maternal diet and colonic diverticulosis in an animal model |
| Author(s): | Wess L, Eastwood M, et al. |
| Reference: | Gut 1996; 39: 423-27 |
| Place of Study: | Scotland |
| Abstract: | 60 male rats were divided into three groups according to the amount of fibre in their diets. Group A contained rats bred from parents having a low fibre diet and were themselves fed on a low fibre diet for 18 months. Group B contained rats bred from parents having a high fibre diet but they were fed with a low fibre diet for 18 months. The control group (C) contained rats bred from parents having a diet rich in fibre and were themselves fed with a high fibre diet. All the rats were examined at the age of 18 months, except 3 of group A and 1 of Group B who had to be removed from the study due to middle ear disease (a common disease in rodents). The animals from group A were the heaviest (mean weight 912g) followed by Group B (740g), while the mean weight of the control group was only 590g. The differences are very significant. The rate of colonic diverticulitis was 0% in the control group, 21% in Group B and 42% in Group A. All the diverticular were found in the mid and left side of the colon, as in humans. |
| Keyword(s): | colonic diverticulosis, dietary fibre, experimental Primal Health research, maternal diet, nutrition during pregnancy, obesity |
| Discussion: | One can suggest a comparison with one of the effects of the Dutch famine of Winter 1944-45; those who were in the womb during the famine had a tendency to become obese adults. (See entry 0106). The observations about diverticulosis are not surprising in so far as collagen is known to have inter and intra-molecular cross links that stabilise and give strength to the tissues in which it is located. Let us underline that diverticulosis is a very common disease in Westerners and is usually associated with a certain degree of obesity. This study can be presented as a model of experimental Primal Health research. It demonstrates how the occurrence of a disease of old age may be highly influenced by the diet of the mother when she was pregnant and by the diet in infancy. Let us recall that rats aged 18 months are all adults. |
| See Also: | 0106 |
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