Irish people fail to understand the important role the digestive system can have towards a healthy lifestyle and the serious illnesses that can be caused by problems associated with poor digestive health.

That's according to new research released by Yakult that was commissioned to coincide with National Gut Week, which takes place this week from 18 to 24 August and aims to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy digestive system.

According to the research, only 30 per cent of those questioned realised that the gut plays a key role towards a healthy immune system, 32 per cent of people do not do any exercise at all and 35 per cent eat fewer than three portions of fruit and vegetables a week.

As a result, people continually suffer from a host of avoidable conditions. Thirty-six per cent of people regularly suffer from indigestion, 20 per cent from irritable bowel syndrome, 17 per cent of people regularly suffer from travel tummy, and ten per cent from diarrhoea. To help avoid such illnesses and for advice and information on achieving good gut health, visit www.gutweek.ie.

According to Professor Fergus Shanahan, Department of Medicine at University College Cork, and Director of the SFI-funded Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, we shouldn't have to live with symptoms caused as a result of poor digestive health.

"Digestive problems are a common occurrence with Irish people and not only can they make life extremely uncomfortable but can also be an indicator of severe illness. A key problem is that people just aren't aware that the gut and the digestive system have such a crucial role to play in our general health and well being.

"Amongst the causes of poor digestive health are a poor diet or an unhealthy lifestyle, two areas that most people are capable of rectifying. Improving the state of our digestive system is one of the most effective ways of improving our overall health and is achievable. It is important to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and take plenty of exercise. The combination will have tangible, positive effects," he says.

The website www.gutweek.ie will provide the general public with a host of information and expert opinion on achieving a healthier digestive system. It also includes handy recipes, lifestyle and health tips, competitions, games and your chance to get a Gut Week Pack full with everything you need to get on the road to a happy, healthy digestive system.

For more information, log on to www.gutweek.ie .

Comments (2) »

Here is the best way to a healthy gut!
written by Felipe Reitz, November 06, 2008

There is a clinic in Naas Co. Kildare that is specialized in digestive problems. They offer blood tests, icim blood analysis, ultrasound, etc where all information discussed during consultation is based on the latest scientific researches making the ICIM Blood Analysis the best starting point in helping formulating a diagnostic. Visit this page www.icim.ie or call 045 844 819.

More information and testing
written by Ciara Fitzpatick, September 22, 2008

For more information and testing to get to the root of your digestive problems goto: http://www.icim.ie
ICIM Medics offer Blood Analysis for diagnosis the cause of Digestive Problems and our health professionals can help to fix your gut

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