Akkermansia muciniphila — The promising microbe linked to weight & metabolic health
Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium that has attracted strong scientific interest because higher abundances associate with healthier metabolic markers and better gut barrier function in humans. Mechanistic research has identified specific molecules (including a membrane lipid and other factors) produced by A. muciniphila that affect host metabolism and immunity.
Human intervention data are still emerging but promising. Early controlled trials using either live or pasteurized A. muciniphila have shown improvements in insulin sensitivity, body weight parameters, and markers of inflammation in small cohorts; however, larger and longer studies are needed to confirm long-term benefits and to identify which populations respond best. Meta-analyses and recent reviews highlight the promise but also the current limitations of human evidence.
Sources:
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04985-7
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11833336