The Digestive Health Organization (DHO) announced Sept. 19 that it has launched a Web site, www.digestivehealthorg.com, for both health professionals and consumers. The DHO, which was created by the California Dried Plum Board, is devoted to raising awareness of the importance of good digestive health among healthcare professionals, researchers and the general public.According to the American Gastroenterological Association, Americans report more than 81 million cases of chronic digestive problems each year. These may include heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and nausea. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) tops the list of chronic digestive problems, costing $9.8 billion dollars a year in doctor visits and time lost from work.
"Maintaining good digestive health is important because it affects all aspects of one's life," said Dr. Leo Treyzon, a fellow within the Division of Digestive Diseases and Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and advisor for the DHO. "Patients themselves must be involved in prevention. They must be inquisitive and take an interest in their digestive health. An important way to maintain good digestive health is to eat a diet rich in colorful fruits, like dried plums, berries and apples -- vegetables like broccoli and red peppers, as well as foods containing fiber protein, calcium and Vitamin D."With the launch of the new DHO Web site, health professionals and consumers will be able to access information on eating to build and maintain good digestive health. It also includes professional resources such as summaries written by key researchers from a Digestive Health Summit that was held this past March. At the summit, key national and international experts in the gastrointestinal field came together to discuss and shed new light on the connections between high fiber fruits and vegetables and digestive health.The DHO Web site offers people a way to become informed and take steps towards living a healthier life. It will also serve as a forum for health professionals and consumers to talk to one another about digestive health. The site also includes a short quiz that individuals can take to evaluate their own digestive health, background on the Digestive Health Organization and its advisory board made up of seven leading authorities in the field.For more information on the California Dried Plum Board or its products, visit www.CaliforniaDriedPlums.org. To learn more about the Digestive Health Organization, contact Richard Peterson of the California Dried Plum Board, (916) 565-6232, or [email protected].