The human gut is inhabited by trillions of microorganisms, collectively called the gut microbiome. Scientific understanding of the extensive role of the gut microbiome in human health and disease has increased exponentially over the last two decades, with novel bacterial strains emerging as key players in the gut's ecosystem. One specific strain gaining significant interest from the scientific and medical community is Akkermansia muciniphila.
Akkermansia strengthens the gut lining, improves digestive health, and helps support a healthy weight. In a healthy gut, Akkermansia accounts for up to 4% of intestinal bacteria. Unfortunately, many people are low in Akkermansia or have no detectable levels at all. The lack of or decreased levels has been linked to the prevalence of multiple metabolic diseases.
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What is Akkermansia Muciniphila?
Akkermansia muciniphila is a novel probiotic strain discovered in 2004 when scientists at Wageningen University of the Netherlands were searching for a new mucin‐degrading microbe. Research has rapidly expanded in the last several years, leading to the identification of how this keystone bacterial strain functions in the gut to impact health throughout the body.
Here's How Akkermansia Works
The lining of the intestines is made up of epithelial cells, i.e., the cells that cover the surfaces of bodily organs. These epithelial cells are covered in a slimy mucus layer rich in protein called mucin. Akkermansia muciniphila was actually named after the microbial ecologist Antoon DL Akkermans, and muciniphila translates to "preferring mucin." This is because the Akkermansia strain loves mucin and uses it for energy. The more mucin Akkermansia eats, the more it encourages the epithelial cells to make additional mucin. This additional "mucin making" strengthens the intestinal wall, which is critical for gut health and overall health.
What Are The Health Benefits of Akkermansia Muciniphila?
The association with Akkermansia across multiple, varied disease states suggests the underlying mechanisms of action are multi-faceted and likely involve interactions with other constituents of the gut microbiome. Research shows that the core functions of the Akkermansia muciniphila strain are integral to establishing an optimal gut ecosystem that offers a cascade of health benefits well beyond the gut. As we've already established, Akkermansia's affinity for mucin plays a vital role in maintaining gut barrier integrity. The epithelial cells, the tight junctions between those cells, and the overlying mucin layer form a barrier that impedes toxic substances within the gut lumen from entering the peripheral circulation. Akkermansia contributes to maintaining the tight junctions between epithelial cells and modulates gut immunity by producing antimicrobial peptides within the mucin layer.
Reduction in the abundance of Akkermansia has been implicated in the progression of metabolic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Akkermansia plays a role in the regulation of body weight in humans. Through the combined mechanisms, it is inferred that Akkermansia plays an important role in lessening inflammation throughout the body. Inflammatory diseases where preliminary research shows Akkermansia's potential benefit include inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and the chronic inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes. There is also growing interest in dermatology and immune-related diseases due to emerging evidence. Additionally, Akkermansia is found to be abundant in centenarians indicating its role in longevity.
What Causes Low Akkermansia Muciniphila?
Lack of or low levels of Akkermansia in the gut is associated with a thin mucus layer, i.e., weakened gut barrier function, and has also been associated with obesity, diabetes, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. Unfortunately, Akkermansia levels tend to decrease with age, as well as with repeated usage of antibiotics and the prevalence of a Western diet that is low in fiber and polyphenols.
How to Test for Akkermansia Muciniphila levels
Luckily, gut health tests are gaining popularity, and it is becoming easier to test your gut microbiome. Per Rupa Health, the most popular comprehensive stool tests that measure Akkermansia levels are GI MAP from Diagnostic Solutions, and the GI Effects from Genova Diagnostics.
How to Boost Akkermansia Muciniphila Levels With Nutrition
Unfortunately, Akkermansia is not found in food. However, it does feed on fiber. While there are many types of fiber-containing foods, research shows that the ones that best support Akkermansia growth are polyphenol-rich foods and prebiotic fibers.
Certain polyphenols are now understood to act as prebiotic sources for beneficial bacterial strains within the gut microbiome, specifically Akkermansia muciniphila. Polyphenols act in the intestine to modify gut microbial community structure, resulting in lower intestinal and systemic inflammation and improved metabolic outcomes. Dietary polyphenols can modulate the composition of intestinal microbes, and in turn, gut microbes catabolize polyphenols to release bioactive metabolites. Polyphenols in green tea (catechin), grape seed (proanthocyanidins), and pomegranate (ellagic acid) have been shown to support a healthy environment so that Akkermansia can thrive in the gut microbiome.
Prebiotic fibers are nondigestible carbohydrates that can help promote the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The most common prebiotic foods are garlic, chicory root, onions, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, and apples.
Supplements That Boost Akkermansia Muciniphila Levels
Of course, it can be challenging to re-introduce Akkermansia to your gut if you're lacking or even boost low Akkermansia levels using just nutrition alone. One easy way to ensure you're supporting this powerful strain in your gut is by taking a daily probiotic.
Akkermansia is an anaerobic strain, meaning it needs an oxygen-free environment to live. This has made it difficult for probiotic companies to manufacture it at scale. However, Pendulum built their own oxygen-free facility to manufacture Akkermansia muciniphila, and Pendulum is the only company that sells this important live strain. You can get Akkermansia as a daily probiotic as a single strain, Akkermansia, or in a blend, in either Metabolic Daily or Glucose Control.
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Summary
Scientific understanding of the gut microbiome has grown exponentially over the past two decades, enabling the identification of how keystone strains, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, impact health throughout the body. In the last few years alone, over 2,000 scientific articles have been written about Akkermansia, and the research continues to expand.
Publications have indicated the reduction in the abundance of Akkermansia in the progression of metabolic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Through the combined mechanisms described in the literature, it is inferred that Akkermansia plays a vital role in lessening inflammation throughout the body.
More research with Akkermansia in human clinical trials will substantiate the mechanistic impact on proposed disease states. The current scientific evidence collectively points to Akkermansia as a logical next-generation solution for strengthening the microbiome to improve human health.
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