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The guidelines are designed to reduce symptoms of digestive discomfort andhelp people achieve optimal digestive health -- meaning the body is workingproperly to break down food and turn it into energy. A person with gooddigestive health weighs a normal amount and rarely experiences digestiveproblems like nausea, bloating, constipation, stomach pain, diarrhea,heartburn, gas or irregularity.
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"Digestive health has become a widespread concern among Americans,especially since digestive problems can pervade all aspects of a person'slife," said Robert Sandler, M.D., MPH, AGAF, president of the AGA Institute."The new guidelines outline ways that people can improve their digestivehealth by making simple lifestyle modifications."
The Impact of Digestive Problems
The burden of digestive problems on the U.S. healthcare system issubstantial. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),approximately 60 to 70 million Americans are affected each year by digestiveproblems at a cost that exceeds $86 billion in direct medical expenses.(i)Digestive diseases, including cancer, are named as a primary cause of deathfor approximately 234,000 people in the U.S. each year.(ii)
In fact, a new study conducted by the FDHN reveals that nearly half (46percent) of Americans say digestive problems affect their day-to-day lives andprevent them from getting a full night's sleep, going out to eat, exercising,participating in enjoyable activities or even socializing with friends.(iii)When experiencing digestive health problems, 49% of sufferers say they don'tfeel like themselves and 18% report that they become embarrassed.(iv)
The Good News about Digestive Health
Today, Americans are paying more attention to their digestive health thanever before. In fact, more than 80% say they are currently consuming or wouldbe interested in consuming foods or beverages for health and wellnessbenefits.(v) And according to the new guidelines, people can manage milddigestive discomfort just by making simple changes in their everyday lives.
"A healthy digestive system begins with your diet," said Dr. Sandler."Making some basic changes not only to what you eat but also to how you eatimpacts your body's digestive health."
How the New Guidelines Interface with the USDA Food Pyramid
While Americans may recognize the USDA MyPyramid to visually illustratethe types and relative portions of food they should eat from the various foodgroups, digestive health is not addressed in this eating plan. Digestivehealth requires supplementary and specific guidelines, and the FDHN hasreleased a graphic that provides an easy-to-follow guide for consumers. Thisgraphic is available on the FDHN's new website, www.fdhn.org/digestivehealth,which is dedicated to providing tips and suggestions to aid Americans in theiradherence to these new guidelines.
To learn more about digestive health and the new graphic, visitwww.fdhn.org/digestivehealth.
About the FDHN
The Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition (FDHN) is the foundationof the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the leadingprofessional society representing gastroenterologists and hepatologistsworldwide. It is separately incorporated and governed by a distinguishedboard of AGA physicians and members of the lay public. The Foundation raisesfunds for digestive disease research.
About the WGO
The World Gastroenterology Org
