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Digestive Health
Listen to your Gut, Know Your Core Score
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What's Your Core Score?
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What's Your Core Score? New Quiz Allows Consumers to Assess Their Digestive Health

From:
KETCHUM
Kathleen Bertolani
1050 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 984-6121
kathleen.bertolani@ketchum.com

For:
CALIFORNIA DRIED PLUM BOARD
Richard Peterson
(916) 565-6232
rpeterson@cdpb.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BETHESDA, MD (March 12, 2003) If you’re not paying attention to the quality of your digestive health, you’re ignoring your body’s core - the vital part of your body that provides the delivery system for nutrients you consume.

To find out the quality of their digestive health, consumers can take the Core Score quiz, created by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). The quiz is featured on the Web sites of the AGA, www.gastro.org/corescore, and the California Dried Plum Board, www.californiadriedplums.org. The quiz is not intended to replace or supersede a physician’s advice. If you have questions about your digestive health, see your physician or health care provider.

Digestive disorders can be moderated or prevented by good digestive health habits. To improve your digestive health, follow these tips:

• Eat a balanced and varied diet that contains fruits and vegetables.
• Other foods that specifically promote/aid intestinal health and function include, bran and other whole grain breads and cereals, beans, dried plums and nuts.
• Try to limit fats and avoid concentrated sweets, emphasizing instead complex carbohydrates.
• Get enough fluids via beverages or foods. Include a beverage with every meal or snack. Low-calorie or non-caffeinated selections could include water and herbal teas and fruit juices such as prune juice.
• How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Eat slowly, stop eating when you feel full, and don’t eat just before bedtime. Make time for proper nutrition. If you find that you’re always on the go, take along good-for-you portable snacks such as fresh fruit, granola, almonds and dried plums.
• Exercise, doing activities you like. Try aerobic or strength-building activities. Or try stretching exercises like yoga or pilates.
• Manage your stress. Relaxing should be a part of your daily to-do list, just as work, social and family obligations are.

AGA Advisory Board

• Samuel Klein, MD, Washington University School of Medicine
• Michael Camilleri, MD, Mayo Clinic
• Steven Itzkowitz, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Lee M. Kaplan, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Lawrence Schiller, MD, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas

About the American Gastroenterological Association
Founded in 1897 the AGA is the oldest non-profit specialty medical society in the country. With nearly 14,000 domestic and international members, the AGA is the largest GI society in the United States and among the largest GI societies in the world. AGA membership encompasses a rich and diverse constituency representing every facet of gastroenterology practice, research and education. More information on gastroenterology and digestive health issues can be accessed at AGA’s Web site www.gastro.org.

About the California Dried Plum Board
The CDPB represents 1000 dried plum growers and 22 dried plum packers under the authority of the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. Revered as part of California’s rich history, the dried plum remains a vital player in California’s economic wealth. California produces 99 percent of the United States’ and 60 percent of the world’s supply of dried plums, a convenient, healthy snack for today’s busy lifestyle. For more information regarding California dried plums visit www.CaliforniaDriedPlums.org.

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Brought to you by the American Gastroenterological Association
via a grant from the California Dried Plum Board.