A Probiotic Linked with Healthy Weight Management & Overall Health
I've had several conversations in recent weeks with patients regarding akkermansia.
Akkermansia muciniphila is a bacterium that resides in the human gut lining; it is abundant in those who do not suffer from irritable bowel, liver disease, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and obesity; it is typically absent in those who do suffer from the aforementioned (1,2).
It therefore has gained attention as an optimal strain for weight loss. It is effective here, but not because it makes people lose weight: it gives the body what it needs so the body can be more efficient.
Figure 1: mechanisms of a. muciniphila
Yan et al, obtained via open license (1)
This strain can be taken orally as a probiotic and helps to regulate metabolic and immune function (3).
The probiotic can be found in our FullScript stores (I personally use the brand Pendulum or InfiniWell).
No pill replaces healthy habits such as persistent movement, strength training, an anti-inflammatory diet, and restful sleep. But adding supplemental gut support can help to improve overall health markers.
Lindsay Mumma, DC, DNSP
Yan J, Sheng L, Li H. Akkermansia muciniphila: is it the Holy Grail for ameliorating metabolic diseases? Gut Microbes. 2021 Jan-Dec;13(1):1984104. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1984104. PMID: 34674606; PMCID: PMC8726741.
Rodrigues VF, Elias-Oliveira J, Pereira ÍS, Pereira JA, Barbosa SC, Machado MSG, Carlos D. Akkermansia muciniphila and Gut Immune System: A Good Friendship That Attenuates Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity, and Diabetes. Front Immunol. 2022 Jul 7;13:934695. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.934695. PMID: 35874661; PMCID: PMC9300896.
Zhao Y, Yang H, Wu P, Yang S, Xue W, Xu B, Zhang S, Tang B, Xu D. Akkermansia muciniphila: A promising probiotic against inflammation and metabolic disorders. Virulence. 2024 Dec;15(1):2375555. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2375555. Epub 2024 Aug 27. PMID: 39192579; PMCID: PMC11364076.