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→Specific Suggestions
* Not eating anything before running works for some runners.
* Taking electrolyte supplements such as [http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/endurolytes.elt.html Endurolytes] have been reported to help some runners.
* Taking [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probiotic Probiotics], such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus Acidophilus] which is found in live Yoghurt may help digestive health. If you have concerns over dairy, probiotics can be taking in other forms such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso Miso] or [http://www.google.com/products?q=probiotics&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf supplements].
* [[Magnesium]] supplements commonly cause diarrhea, and I know of cases where taking the supplement up to 24 hours before the run still causes problems. Magnesium Oratate does not have the problems that other forms of Magnesium do.
* Following a liquid diet for 12-36 hours before a race may help.
* Carry toilet paper and/or moist wipes with you when you run. A Ziploc snack bag is idea for this purpose to keep the toilet paper dry or the moist wipes wet. An alternative to toilet paper is to use paper towels, which maintain their structural integrity when wet. I would suggest everyone does this on remote races ‘just in case’.
* Staying hydrated may help. There are [http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v93/n11/full/ajg1998510a.html reported cases] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischemic_colitis Ischemic colitis], which is inflammation and injury of the large intestine due to restricted blood flow that are suspected of being related to chronic dehydration. See [[Practical Hydration]] and [[The Science Of Hydration]].
* Using a Fleet Enema before running may help, but read the warnings carefully and use with caution. http://www.drugs.com/mtm/fleet-enema.html
* Using an anti-diarrheic such as Imodium ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loperamide Loperamide]) helps some runners. However other runners have found that it does not prevent the urge, only the action, which can make the problem worse. Some runners use Imodium as a preventative measure. Remember that taking any drug when running long distances involves risk and Imodium is an opoid drug, though it does not affect the central nervous system.
==Specific Foods==