It's Not Just What You Eat.

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

It's Not Just What You Eat. ROCHESTER, Minn. — Are you bothered by heartburn, abdominal pain or diarrhea and you're not sure what's causing it? It might be more than what you ate. Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health ($16.95, soft cover) offers these tips on how to prevent some common digestive problems or symptoms.

Eat slowly. Smaller pieces of food are easier for your digestive system to handle.

Be physically active. Regular physical activity is important for digestion because it helps speed the movement of waste through your digestive tract.

Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight contributes to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) including heartburn and inflammation of the esophagus.

Relax. Your body doesn't digest food well when you're stressed.

Don't smoke. Smokers are more likely to have indigestion, stomach ulcers and cancer of the esophagus.

Booklet Offer

Mayo Clinic is offering a free booklet titled Your Guide to Vitamins & Supplements. To receive your copy, write to Vitamins Booklet, Division of Communications, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Or, receive the booklet free when you order Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health ($16.95 plus shipping, handling and applicable sales tax) by calling 800-291-1128 and mentioning order code 177.

Revenue from the sale of Mayo Clinic books is used to help support Mayo Clinic programs, including medical education and research.

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Note: Please include booklet offer with any or all media tips.

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