Microbiota, the 2nd brain The (deserved) success of intestinal microbiota is clear to see. Progression of more than 110% in terms of comments left online on probiotics, i.e. nearly 6.8 million opinions posted, more than half of which in 2020 (Lumina Intelligence). This is a clear illustration of a market in good shape, closely linked to our intestines. ormerly known as the intesti- EXPERTS OPINION nal flora,whose role was dis- creetly limited to our digestion, Four speakers, al l researchers, three com- today’s microbiota has not changed in panies involved in nutritional prevention nature, but as research continues, its un- via food supplements, and a common de- suspected role on our health is being re- nominator: the microbiota, the organ in- vealed. From bench tests to multi-centre disputably and scientifical ly linked to our clinical trials, via sequencing, no one can health. now deny that the microbiota plays an essential role in our physical and mental Four experiments to fol low and health via constant communication with understand the path of a compound in our brain. our digestive system that has become an After the brain, the intestine is the organ active ingredient of interest for our health. of our body containing the most neu- rons, around 200 mil lion in the enteric re- Philippe Langella, a researcher at INRAE, gion - as many as in the brain of your pet. presents Faecalibacterium prausnitzi ,i There is therefore an ongoing dialogue a bacterium identified in patients in between our microbiota and our remission from chronic inflammatory 110% brain, reflecting our adaptation or bowel diseases. otherwise to the external environment and our lifestyle. The microbiota, an inter- Amandine Brochot discusses the Progression in face and discussion zone by excel lence, discovery of Akkermansia muciniphila, terms of online is involved in the enteric and central ner- which is the basis of a spin-off company: comments on vous system. Vitamin synthesis, hormone A-Mansia Biotech. Tested in humans probiotics. production (the origin of 95% of seroto- as a supplement to prevent metabolic nin), immune balance, microbial meta- disorders, the company’s objective is to bolism, etc.: al l essential functions that market it as a food supplement. «depend» on the microbiota. These are al l essential functions that ‘dust off’ the role Denis Guyonnet represents Diana of bacteria. (Symrise) and demonstrates the essential An Euromonitor study conducted in 2020 role of the microbiota and the need to estimates that a quarter of the world’s po- take care of it. Polyphenols are in focus, pulation suffers from intestinal disorders with the ambition to demonstrate their (digestive, immune, metabolic). This mar- prebiotic properties. ket has been estimated in 2026 at 63.62 bil lion dol lars (Verified Market Research). Mathieu Millette retraces the success Researchers and industrialists are there- story of Bio-K+, a Quebec company (Kerry) fore working hand in hand to provide tan- with a scientific base, which is making a gible proof of the primordial role of our name for itself in the treatment of people microbiota, and to offer consumers adap- suffering from IBS thanks to its range of ted solutions in response to their health food supplements. • conditions. secnerefnoC — secneréfnoC - 8 -