Ruining the Mood? One in Four Americans Report Avoiding Intimacy Due to Digestive Disturbances

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nothing kills the mood quicker than a stomach "issue" because when you feel bloated, uncomfortable or gassy, it's challenging to feel your best or most attractive. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Braun Research, more than 25 percent of Americans report avoiding intimacy due to constipation. Phillips'® Colon Health®, a brand of Bayer Healthcare, today announced several findings related to digestive roadblocks and how Americans cope.

The findings were released as part of an effort to examine the digestive health knowledge of the American consumer, explore the barriers occasional constipation creates and expose the role of the colon in digestive health. The results confirm that it is time to educate consumers and help them get back in the mood!

Exposing the Colon

The survey revealed that while most Americans know that the colon eliminates toxins and creates and excretes feces, more than half of Americans don't realize that it is the center and largest part of the digestive system. In fact, 51 percent of those surveyed incorrectly cited the stomach as the most important part of the digestive system.

These results indicate that Americans are less educated on the important role the colon plays within the digestive system and that education could help increase awareness and understanding with regard to digestive health.

Maintaining Digestive Health

A key to digestive health is maintaining balance in the colon and probiotics may help.* Probiotics are live microorganisms, similar to the good bacteria found inside the body, which are available mainly through foods and dietary supplements.

Probiotic supplements help replenish the beneficial bacteria in the colon to help maintain the balance that is important to good health. When taken on a daily basis, they support the digestive system and help defend against occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating.(1)  In fact, studies have also shown that probiotics may support the immune system and help with overall health.(2)* This is because a large percentage of the body's immune system is found in the digestive tract and as previously noted the colon is at the center of it.(3)

Breaking Down Barriers

The survey revealed that constipation can impact not only how Americans feel physically and emotionally, but also how they live their daily lives. Two-fifths (41%) of those surveyed say they have experienced constipation in the last year. Additionally, almost everyone who has been constipated says it makes them feel uncomfortable (96%), and many also feel sluggish (69%), irritable (68%), unhappy (61%) or frustrated (61%).

Strikingly, the survey also indicates that constipation can ruin plans and hinder productivity. Of those who have been constipated in the last year, two-in-five (41%) report that it kept them from getting a full night of sleep. Constipation causes additional social issues as well – with nearly 20 percent of sufferers canceling plans and 15 percent staying home from work. Contrary to popular belief, men are actually more likely than women to say constipation has made them stay home from work (22% vs. 9%) or not to go on vacation (16% vs. 7%).

"It's unfortunate when constipation and other digestive issues disrupt our everyday lives, affecting sleep, work and much more," said Registered Dietitian, Tara Gidus. "Fortunately probiotics, like Phillips' Colon Health, can help keep your digestive tract on track, letting you get back to the important things in life."*

About the Survey

The survey was conducted by Braun Research on behalf of Phillips' Colon Health among a representative sample of 1,003 adults ages 30 and older. The survey was conducted over the phone between July 27-31, 2011. Additional findings include:

• Americans 30-39 are the most likely to say constipation has kept them from getting a full night's rest (57%).
• More than one out of three Americans surveyed are not aware of the health benefits associated with taking probiotics such as helping defend against occasional digestive upsets and supporting the immune system.*
• Americans are more inclined to look to fruits and vegetables, beverages and exercise as a first step to help avoid or treat constipation.
• The majority of Americans do not know how probiotics work or think that probiotics work the same as laxatives or antacids.

Phillips' Colon Health is a daily probiotic supplement that works naturally to help maintain a healthy digestive system when incorporated into a daily routine.(4)* In comparison, laxatives and antacids are recommended as an acute treatment for digestive issues. Laxatives are dietary supplements or drugs that cause evacuation of the bowels and an antacid is used to counteract or neutralize acidity, especially of the stomach.

"Probiotic supplements are relatively new to the market. It's not surprising that there is confusion or limited knowledge about them. Phillips' Colon Health released this survey to help better educate the public around the emerging benefits of probiotics," said Barton Warner, Vice President of U.S. Marketing and New Business Development.

Phillips' Colon Health To The Rescue

Phillips' Colon Health is a probiotic supplement that replenishes the beneficial bacteria in the colon. When taken daily with a meal, it helps maintain digestive balance, promotes regularity and helps defend against occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating.*

Phillips' Colon Health is the only leading brand with three of the most studied strains of bacteria:*

• Lactobacillus gasseri (KS-13) to support nutrient absorption and lactose digestion.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum (G9-1) to help defend against occasional constipation, diarrhea and gas.
• Bifidobacterium longum (MM-2) to support overall digestive health and immunity.

In addition to the proprietary blend of three good probiotics, Phillips' Colon Health costs less than most other leading brands and can be found nationwide in drug, grocery and mass retailers with other digestive health products.(5) It is a leading probiotic supplement that specifies 1.5 billion live bacteria up to the date of expiration, in comparison, most other probiotic products only indicate a specific bacteria count at the time of manufacture.(6) For more information on the benefits of Phillips' Colon Health, visit www.PhillipsColonHealth.com.

About Bayer Consumer Care

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 16.913 billion (2010), is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 55.700 employees (Dec 31, 2010) and is represented in more than 100 countries. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

Find more information at www.bayer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

(1) WGO practice guideline: probiotics and prebiotics. World Gastroenterology Organisation Web site. http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/downloads/en/pdf/guidelines/19_probiotics_prebiotics.pdf. Published May 2008. Accessed May 19, 2011

(2) WGO practice guideline: probiotics and prebiotics. World Gastroenterology Organisation Web site. http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/downloads/en/pdf/guidelines/19_probiotics_prebiotics.pdf. Published May 2008. Accessed May 19, 2011

(3) WGO practice guideline: probiotics and prebiotics. World Gastroenterology Organisation Web site. http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/downloads/en/pdf/guidelines/19_probiotics_prebiotics.pdf. Published May 2008. Accessed May 19, 2011

(4) Probiotics – friendly bacteria with a host of benefits. Dairy Council of California Web site. http://www.dairycouncilofca.org/PDFs/probiotics.pdf. Accessed May 20, 2011.

(5) Based on IRI Retail Data. Average retail price is 30%-48% less than most other leading brands for 52 weeks ending 6/12/11.

(6) Data on file. Bayer HealthCare LLC.

SOURCE Bayer Healthcare