TAKEN FROM THE DIVERTICULITIS THREAD AND REPOSTED HERE:
My MIL has ulcerative colitis.
For some reason stress does make it worse. Causes are unknown but is being linked to a poor diet especially in the area of fiber. I believe that my MIL contracted hers through her "yearly" flu shots. I believe that the toxins in the vaccines are penetrating her intestinal walls. Also, I feel the consumption of homogenized milk products plays an important role, so in a way would be a "leaky gut" thing.
If this father-in-law is eating pasteurized and homogenized yogurt, it could be making it worse.
Symptoms of diverticulitis: painful cramps with attention to the left side of the body, constipation or diarrhea, or possible blood in stools.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis: the lining of the colon develops ulcers causing pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools.
My MIL was told to take aloe vera juice to heal the walls of the intestines. Not bad advice coming from an allopathic doctor!

Also, I would suggest eliminating all forms of pasteurized and homogenized dairy.
Taking a "green" supplement such as: chlorophyll, spirulina, alfalfa, wheat grass, etc. is highly recommended.
Enemas are good for "flare-ups". Regular luke warm enemas are good, but if you have any lobelia, wheatgrass, or lemon juice, those are very healing. I have been trying to tell my MIL about enemas, but she is like most people and does not want to go there!!

She has also reported that when she does not do some form of exercise during the week(walking, stretching, or pilates) she is sure to have a "flare-up". Exercising is very good for the colon. She also says that when she does have a flare up, to eat very softened foods, even baby foods. HTH.