World Digestive Health Day 2020

Happy World Digestive Health Day!

Today is a much awaited day on the Guts UK calendar. Guts UK is the only UK charity funding research into the digestive system from top to tail; the gut, liver and pancreas. We must spark a global conversation about gut health and raise awareness of diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas. Today is the perfect day to do just that.

This year’s theme: The Gut Microbiome

This year’s theme is the ‘gut microbiome’. This is made up of all of the microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) that live within your gut. In fact, the largest population of microorganisms within the body live within the intestine.

The bacteria/microorganisms that live within your gut are completely unique to each individual. The human gut microbiota consists of over 100 trillion microorganisms, and weighs around 200g, around the same as an adult hamster!

We must fund more research:

Research into the digestive system has been underfunded for decades. Guts UK exists to change that.

Early research suggests that some of the earliest changes that lead to Parkinson’s disease may actually begin with the gut microbiota. This recent discovery only highlights just how much we’re yet to discover about the microorganisms that occupy our gut, and the connection to our brain.

You can help our scientists turn curiosity into life-changing discovery by donating to support our research programme today.

Be part of the action:

To mark World Digestive Health Day 2020, we’ve put together an ‘Introduction to Gut Bacteria’ piece. Discover the importance of the microbiome and how you can help it thrive.

All day, we’ll be posting fascinating facts on social media. Join the fun on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Please share far and wide, you never know who might benefit.

If you’re considering supporting our crucial work but want to learn more about the research we fund, click here.