2005 was the first year that the Member Societies and members of the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) were invited to begin World Digestive Health Day activities.
Ireland took the lead in these celebrations and the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) a Research Centre focusing on gastrointestinal health and based at University College Cork (UCC), put on a special symposium “Live the Good Life - You Are What You Eat” at the university’s Mardyke Arena, on Friday, 27 May 2005.
The event, organized as part of the APC's Education and Outreach program, was targeted at the general public. The evening included two lectures on health and nutrition for adults:
Professor Eamonn Quigley, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Department of Medicine, UCC and Consultant Gastroenterologist at Cork University Hospital gave a lecture entitled "Gut Health - how to avoid indigestion and live the good life." Professor Quigley spoke about gut health and disease and the role of the gut bacterial flora in maintaining health.
Dr. Nora O'Brien, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences UCC, gave a lecture entitled "Food and Health - eat well and enjoy it." Dr. O'Brien discussed the importance of good nutrition for general health and well-being.
Concurrent with the lectures were organized activities for children aged 6-13, which included Bouncing Castle, Trampet, soccer, basketball, and fun relay races. All winners received prizes of either T-shirts with GI Jake, the APC's friendly Bifidobacterium, or a furry toy of GI Jake.
Light healthy refreshments were provided. The event was very enjoyable and educational for all age groups- grandparents, parents and children. The APC (http://apc.ucc.ie) is a Science Foundation Ireland funded research center focusing on developing new therapies for lifelong debilitating gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. The center's mission is to link Irish science with industry and society through excellence in research education and outreach in gastrointestinal health. The APC is headquartered at UCC and is a research partnership between UCC, Teagasc (the government food and agriculture research agency), and Alimentary Health Ltd and its research partners.
