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 and a Twitter account 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 20^th United European Gastroenterology Week held this week in Amsterdam.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121023/568342 )

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", 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/

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