If you're like most people, you probably don't give digestion much thought. After all, it's just something that happens naturally, right? Well, yes and no. Your digestive tract is an elaborate system of organs that extends over 27 feet long. While it's all designed to keep food moving through your system, it's your job to help it run like it should. And eating the right foods is just one aspect of that. Here are some other simple things you can do to help maintain your digestive health.

Eat S-l-o-w-l-y
We can't stress this one enough. A meal wasn't meant to be a race, so just slow down and enjoy it. This has a number of benefits. For one, you'll appreciate your food more. And while eating is ultimately about nourishing our bodies, it should be an enjoyable experience too. Hurrying through a meal also impedes the production of stomach acids that are needed for good digestion. Plus, if you eat too quickly you're more likely to overeat. That's because it takes your brain about 20 minutes to register that you're full. So don't rush when you eat. Relax and take the time to really savor all the flavors and textures. You'll not only enjoy your food more, you'll also digest it better.

Set Aside Time for Meals
This tip goes hand in hand with the one above. Mealtime should be reserved for meals and nothing else. Eating while you read, watch TV or use the computer is mindless eating, because you don't actually pay attention to the food you're putting in your mouth. So when it's time to eat, put all distractions aside. Treat each meal like a special occasion. Use dishes rather than disposable plates and set the table just as you would if you had guests, even if you're eating by yourself.

Just Keep Chewing
You might be surprised to learn that the digestive process begins the minute you start chewing, which helps to break down your food. And the smaller those food particles are when they reach your stomach, the easier they'll be to digest. Chewing your food completely also creates more surface area, which makes it easier for your small intestines to absorb the nutrients. As you chew, your food mixes with saliva, which contains enzymes that enhance digestion. To help ensure that you're chewing your food properly, start by taking smaller bites. Set down your fork between bites and wait until you've thoroughly chewed and swallowed each bite before you take another.

Don't Wash It All Down
If you gulp down a big beverage with every meal, take heed: drinking a lot of liquid with meals actually interferes with digestion. That's because it dilutes the digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid in your stomach that are needed to digest food properly. For optimal digestion, try to limit the amount of liquids you drink for about 30 minutes before or after a meal. If you still want to drink something with your meal, try sipping a small amount of water instead.

Practice Portion Control
With portion sizes in the U.S. steadily getting bigger, it's no wonder that so many people are suffering from digestive troubles. Your stomach isn't designed to handle a lot of food at once. And when you eat a huge meal, it puts your digestive system into overdrive. It also decreases the effectiveness of the enzymes and hydrochloric acid that help digest your food. So rather than having one really big meal, try to eat several smaller meals throughout the day.

Keep Hydrated
While you shouldn't drink a lot of liquids with your food, it's still important to stay well-hydrated between meals. And that's particularly true when you're getting an adequate amount of fiber in your diet. Fiber is like a broom that keeps food moving through your digestive system. But if you don't consume enough liquids, fiber can actually have the opposite effect, slowing down your digestive system. By staying properly hydrated, you'll help prevent constipation. Good beverage choices include water, low-fat milk, green tea and pure juice. Minimize your intake of caffeinated sodas, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which have a dehydrating effect. Alcohol can also irritate the stomach lining and cause heartburn.

Stay Active Between Meals
Exercise has numerous benefits, but you might not realize that digestive health is one of them. In addition to helping to keep you fit and lean, regular physical activity actually stimulates the muscles in the intestines, which helps keep you regular. At the same time, it increases gastrointestinal circulation. Physical activity also helps to alleviate bloating by getting rid of any gas that's trapped inside the digestive tract. Exercising your core is particularly beneficial, because it targets the very muscles that are used during digestion.

Of course, working out also supports your overall health and the health of your joints. And while you're staying active, remember to help take care of your joints with clinically tested Schiff® Move Free® Advanced. Move Free® Advanced actually improves joint health with the "Advantage of Four." Glucosamine and Chondroitin help strengthen and rebuild joints, while Joint Fluid and Uniflex® replenish and protect them. And Move Free® Advanced starts comforting sore joints in less than seven days.*

Minimize Stress
Another added bonus of exercise? It helps to alleviate stress. And the less stressed you are, the better your digestive system will work. Stress can interfere with digestion in several ways. For one, it inhibits the production of digestive juices. At the same time, it stimulates the production of acid in the stomach, which can trigger things like indigestion or heartburn. Stress also plays a role in chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, often worsening symptoms for people who suffer from them.

If stress is keeping you up at night, try Schiff® Melatonin Plus. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland which sets the body's biological clock and initiates sleep. Taking a melatonin supplement at bedtime helps promote healthy sleep patterns.

Be Careful of Medicines
The medicines you take can have a profound effect on your digestion. Here are some tips on what to watch for:

• Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen are extremely hard on your stomach, particularly if you take them without food. In fact, if you take them too frequently, they can even cause ulcers. So if you take these medications often, switch to acetaminophen, which is much gentler on the stomach.


• Only take antibiotics when they're really necessary. Over time, antibiotics can weaken the body's ability to fight off infections. They also kill healthy bacteria that are vital for good digestive health. For added digestive support, try Schiff® Probiotic Acidophilus, which will help you to maintain a good balance of healthy bacteria.


• If you think antacids will relieve your indigestion, think again. In reality, they inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for digestion and nutrient absorption.

Watch Out for Problem Foods
Just as eating the right foods can help keep your digestive system running like it should, avoiding problem foods can help too. That means watching your intake of heavy, high-fat foods such as ice cream, fatty cuts of meat, or foods containing a lot of butter or shortening, which are tougher for your stomach to digest. It's also important to pay attention to how your system reacts and avoid foods to which you may be allergic. Adjusting your diet can go a long way toward easing discomfort. For more ideas on staying healthy, keep reading at www.schiffvitamins.com.

*Independent human clinical study (Los Angeles, 2008).