Unveiling Akkermansia: The Gut Health Guardian by Metagenics
Explore the intricate world of gut health and the role of Akkermansia, a beneficial gut bacteria that holds promising implications for overall wellness. In this blog, we'll explore the significance of Akkermansia in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and its potential impact on human health.
The human gut is a complex ecosystem hosting a myriad of microorganisms crucial for various bodily functions. Among these, Akkermansia muciniphila has gained attention due to its association with improved gut health, metabolic function, and potential benefits for overall well-being.
The benefits associated with Akkermansia and products supporting its growth may include:
Gut Health Support: Akkermansia muciniphila is associated with a healthy gut environment and maintaining the gut barrier, which is crucial for overall digestive health.
Metabolic Health: Research suggests that Akkermansia might play a role in supporting metabolic health, potentially aiding in weight management and insulin sensitivity.
Inflammation Regulation: Studies have shown that Akkermansia may help in reducing inflammation in the body, which is associated with various chronic diseases.
Immune System Support: A healthy gut microbiome, supported by beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia, positively impacts immune function.
Improved Overall Well-being: By contributing to a healthy gut environment, Akkermansia might influence overall health and well-being due to its various effects on metabolic and digestive processes.
Human clinical trial of Akkermansia muciniphila:
The metabolic benefits seen in animal studies led to the first human clinical trial investigating the health-promoting potential of Akkermansia muciniphila (both alive and pasteurized) in people who were overweight or obese and insulin-resistant.
Thirty-two volunteers received either placebo, live Akkermansia muciniphila (10 billion CFU/day), or pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila (10 billion CFU/day) for three months and were asked not to change their diet and exercise habits. The study found:
The supplementation of pasteurized form but not of live form markedly improved insulin sensitivity and reduced insulinemia and plasma total cholesterol levels compared with volunteers supplemented with placebo.
Compared with placebo, pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila decreased body weight, hip circumference, and waist circumference by an average of 5.0 lb., 1.0 in., and 0.6 in., respectively.
Compared with placebo, pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila decreased plasma LPS levels (metabolic endotoxemia) by an average of 117%.
Both live and pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila for three months were safe and well-tolerated.
In conclusion, given the correlation between abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and health status, efforts have been made to restore and promote abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila. Today, daily supplementation of Akkermansia muciniphila has become a reality. While a balanced diet and regular exercise are the cornerstones for maintaining healthy weight and minimizing metabolic syndrome risks, this next-generation bacteria, pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila, offers a novel solution to support metabolic health in those who are overweight or obese. As we embark on this journey into the realm of Akkermansia and its significance in the context of gut health, we invite you to join us in this journey through the world of Akkermansia, where science meets wellness.
