Gut Microbiota World Watch, the First Public Information Service Devoted to Gut Microbiota, Is Now Online

VIENNA, October 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

The Gut Microbiota & Health section of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology
and Motility (ESNM) has launched today Gut Microbiota World Watch, an online platform
aimed at increasing knowledge and understanding of gut microbiota and its importance for
health and quality of life. This new public information service will keep media and
society up-to-date on the latest facts and news about gut microbiota. In order to achieve
this, a Facebook page [http://www.facebook.com/GutMicrobiotaWW ] and a Twitter account
[https://twitter.com/GutMicrobiotaWW ] have also been created to facilitate the spread of
information and to guarantee the development of a Gut Microbiota-aware community. The
launch of the new platform has been announced during the 20th United European
Gastroenterology Week held this week in Amsterdam.

The intestine (or gut) is usually considered as an organ leading digestion and playing
a key role in body’s healthy functioning. However, for a large portion of society, it is
still unknown that a whole universe of life forms – called “gut microbiota” – is active
within the intestines, performing vital functions. Due to its scale and its important role
in maintaining health, experts believe that it could be considered as a “new organ” inside
the human body.

Prof. Fernando Azpiroz, President of the Gut Microbiota & Health section of the ESNM,
considers that the launch of Gut Microbiota World Watch is a step forward to help people
understand the real importance of gut microbiota. “Although we might still be unfamiliar
with the concept of gut microbiota, it is basic for our overall wellbeing and health. We
must take proper care of these “silent residents” of our body while they are taking care
of us.”

Gut Microbiota World Watch has been developed to become a point of reference for gut
microbiota issues, offering relevant and contrasted information in a straight-forward and
easy-to understand language. Most of the content of the site is provided by “Gut
Microbiota for Health Experts Exchange [http://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com ]“, an
online platform for experts, launched recently by the Gut Microbiota & Health section of
the ESNM.

Gut microbiota key information and figures

        - Gut microbiota plays an important role in our lives and body functioning.
          It contains tens of trillions of bacteria, which is ten times more cells than our
          body's cells.
        - There are more than 3 millions microbial genes in our gut microbiota, which is
          150 times more genes than in the human genome.
        - The composition of gut microbiota is unique to each individual. It evolves
          throughout the entire life and is strongly influenced by external factors including
          conditions of birth, diet, environment or use of antibiotics.
        - 70% of our immune cells live in our gut, protecting us against potential
          "intruders" (viruses and other disease-causing agents).
        - The whole microbiota can weigh up to 2 kg.

About ESNM

ESNM stands for the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. It is
member of United European Gastroenterology(UEG). The ESNM states its mission as being “to
defend the interests of all professionals in Europe involved in the study of neurobiology
and pathophysiology of gastrointestinal function”. http://www.esnm.eu/ [http://www.esnm.eu
]

About the Gut Microbiota & Health Section from ESNM

The Gut Microbiota & Health Section has been created inside the ESNM to increase
recognition of the links between the gut microbiota and human health and to spread
knowledge and interest in the field among the international health care professionals’
community. The section is open to professionals, researchers and practitioners from all
fields related to gut microbiota and health.

http://www.gutmicrobiotawatch.org

SOURCE Gut Microbiota World Watch