Akkermansia muciniphila: Meet your new gut buddy :)

If you never heard about Akkermansia municiphila, no worries! We will introduce it to you and explain why it should be your new buddy. Akkermansia muciniphila was discovered in 2004 by a researcher at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, Murriel Darrien. It was named after the Dutch microbial ecologist Antoon Akkermans from the same university as a tribute to his contribution to microbiology science. The second part of the bacteria name translates from Latin into “love mucus”. Mucus is the protective slime layer on our gut lining. The bacteria received its name because it grows on mucin. In certain disease states, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and atherosclerosis, Akkermansia is less abundant. Moreover, Akkermansia muciniphila is one of the most important species of the intestinal microbiota, comprising about 1 to 5% of the total bacteria. 
 
Our intestine has a single layer of cells lining the interior gut wall that is protected by mucus. This layer is intended to allow "good" substances to enter the body but also prevent harmful substances from entering. The mucus lining is made up of a ‘loose’ outer layer, which houses our bacteria, and a ‘firm’ inner layer which works as a filter, preventing microbes from entering the barrier and causing inflammation. This results in the strengthening of the intestinal barrier. The mucous layer is rich in a protein called mucin. It's not just found in the large intestine but in other places like the lining of the lungs and body fluids like saliva.
 
Akkermansia loves mucin because it uses it for energy. This is why Muriel chose to add muciniphila to the bacteria's name :) Akkermansia muciniphila acts as a symbiotic bacterium by degrading mucins present in the mucus layer to use as a source of carbon and nitrogen. This constant degradation stimulates the body to produce even more mucin, increasing the thickness of the mucus layer and, consequently, the integrity of the intestinal barrier. In return, Akkermansia fights mucosal inflammation and boosts our metabolism, ensuring that no disease-causing bacteria can take advantage.
 
Furthermore, when degrading mucins, these are transformed into so-called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - substances that are created when our gut bacteria ferment indigestible food (mainly fibre) and are crucial to gastrointestinal health, one of these short-chain fatty acids being acetate. Acetate is used by other beneficial bacteria like some Firmicutes to make butyrate, a vital energy source for the cells lining your gut. 

 

How can Akkermansia municiphila be beneficial against diseases? 

Increased intestinal permeability is associated with a reduction in mucous thickness, and is a feature of obesity. By eating mucins from our intestinal lining and turning them into useful substances (like SCFA), while stimulating the production of more mucus, A. muciniphila thickens our mucous lining and improves the intestinal barrier function. In turn, this helps reduce the amount of food that is absorbed and stored in the body, consequently helping against overweight and obesity. The acetate mentioned above can result in satiety (the feeling of fullness) and, therefore, reduce excess food consumption which could play a key role in avoiding extra weight gain. 

Several bacteria are linked with type 2 diabetes. One of the beneficial bacteria against type 2 diabetes is Akkermansia. The reason why is as mentioned above - the anti-inflammatory effects that Akkermansia performs in the body decrease diabetes parameters. Yet, decreasing inflammation is also required to decrease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) complaints. 
 

How to increase Akkermansia? 

After all the benefits mentioned above, you might be wondering what you can do to increase the abundance of your Akkermansia, right? ;) 
Polyphenols should be your nutrient buddy. They look colourful, tasty, fresh, and can increase the abundance of your Akkermansia. 

We all know that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is linked to better health and a lower risk of disease. The reason why is that these foods contain natural substances that our body feeds on, such as polyphenols. Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties owing to their superb antioxidant ability, which means that they are involved in preventing many diseases. Examples of sources of polyphenols are coffee, oranges, apples, grapes, olives and olive oil, red wine, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, tea, black elderberry, nuts, whole grains, and legumes. 

Fermented products such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, tempeh, and natural yoghurt can also help to increase Akkermansia in your gut. Another point is to increase the intake of unsaturated fat and avoid saturated fat. Diets high in saturated fats are linked to higher incidences of inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease. While diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as those found in walnuts, flax seeds, or flax oil, chia seeds, seafood, and fish oils, have been shown to neutralize inflammation and are also associated with leaner individuals. It is so amazing that a bacterium can do all this for us, right? :) Let Akkermansia be your new buddy! 

Remember! Even if Akkermansia is a very beneficial bacteria to our gut, like everything in life, we need balance! Too many of these bacteria can also be unhealthy. So, it is important to check the level of this bacteria once in a while and always have a balanced diet.

How to check how much Akkermansia bacteria is in your Gut Microbiome?

You can check the abundance of the Akkermansia bacteria with the InnerBuddies gut microbiome test. It will report the abundance of all bacteria found in your gut microbiome, including Akkermansia. You can buy the InnerBuddies gut microbiome testkit on this website.

What research is available on Akkermansia Muciniphila?

Akkermansia muciniphila is a type of bacteria found in the human gut, and it has been the subject of growing interest in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Research has shown that this bacterium plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier, enhancing gut health, and even influencing metabolic processes. Below are some key areas of research related to Akkermansia muciniphila:

1. Gut Health and Mucosal Barrier: Akkermansia muciniphila feeds on mucin, a component of the mucus layer that lines the intestines, and its activity helps maintain the mucosal barrier. Research has demonstrated that a balanced population of Akkermansia muciniphila contributes to intestinal health by reinforcing the mucus layer, which can prevent harmful pathogens from entering the bloodstream.

2. Metabolic Health: Studies have linked Akkermansia muciniphila to improved metabolic health. It has been shown to influence the regulation of body weight, fat accumulation, and insulin sensitivity. Some studies have suggested that an increased abundance of Akkermansia may help prevent or mitigate obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome by improving gut microbial composition and increasing the metabolic efficiency of the body.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Akkermansia muciniphila may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Research indicates that it might help reduce systemic inflammation, which is often implicated in a range of chronic diseases, including autoimmune conditions.

4. Potential Therapeutic Applications: There is growing interest in the use of Akkermansia muciniphila as a probiotic or therapeutic agent. Preliminary studies have investigated its use in clinical settings, such as in the treatment of obesity, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Some research is also exploring whether increasing its presence in the gut could be a novel way to manage these health issues.

5. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT): Recent studies have explored the potential of transplanting Akkermansia muciniphila into the microbiomes of individuals with conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. The results have been promising, suggesting that this bacterium could be a key player in microbiota-based therapies.

6. Clinical Trials and Safety: Clinical trials are underway to assess the safety and efficacy of Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation or probiotic formulations. These trials are exploring its ability to enhance metabolic health, improve gut integrity, and support immune function.

In summary, while research on Akkermansia muciniphila is still evolving, early findings suggest that this bacterium could offer a range of health benefits, particularly related to gut health and metabolic regulation.

How is Akkermansia included in the InnerBuddies gut microbiome test?

The Akkermansia muciniphila bacterium is one of the many microbes that is assessed in the InnerBuddies gut microbiome test. InnerBuddies, a company that specializes in gut health and microbiome testing, offers personalized testing services to help individuals understand the composition of their gut microbiome. The test typically analyzes the abundance of various microbial species, including beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila, which plays a significant role in gut health.

When you take the InnerBuddies gut microbiome test, the results typically include information about the presence and relative abundance of specific bacterial species in your gut, including Akkermansia muciniphila. Here's how it works:

1. Analysis of Gut Microbes: The test involves collecting a stool sample, which is then analyzed to identify the diversity and abundance of microbes present. This includes not just Akkermansia muciniphila, but also other key bacteria that form part of your gut microbiome.

2. Role of Akkermansia Muciniphila: The results will indicate the levels of Akkermansia muciniphila in your gut compared to normal or ideal levels. Having a healthy abundance of this bacterium is associated with benefits like better gut barrier integrity, improved metabolic health, and a balanced immune system. A reduced presence might signal a disruption in gut health.

3. Recommendations for Microbiome Optimization: Based on the test results, InnerBuddies will provide personalized recommendations. If Akkermansia muciniphila levels are low, the advice will suggest dietary changes, probiotics, or other interventions to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Some of the ways to support Akkermansia might include consuming prebiotics (fiber-rich foods) that encourage its growth or taking supplements containing Akkermansia muciniphila or related probiotics.

4. Actionable Insights: By including Akkermansia muciniphila as part of the microbiome test, InnerBuddies can provide you with actionable insights into how this bacterium might be influencing your gut health and overall well-being. It can also offer guidance on lifestyle and diet modifications to help optimize your gut microbiome composition for better health outcomes.

So, in summary, Akkermansia muciniphila is included in the test as part of a broader assessment of your gut microbiome, and the results help you understand whether this beneficial bacterium is present in healthy amounts or if adjustments to your diet and lifestyle might be necessary to improve your gut health.

Reference

1. Hills Jr, R. D., Pontefract, B. A., Mishcon, H. R., Black, C. A., Sutton, S. C., & Theberge, C. R. (2022). Gut microbiome: profound implications for diet and disease. Kompass Nutrition & Dietetics, 1-16, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1159/000523712

2. Zhai, Q., Feng, S., Arjan, N., & Chen, W. (2019). A next generation probiotic, akkermansia muciniphila. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 59(19), 3227–3236. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1517725

3. Hasani, A., Ebrahimzadeh, S., Hemmati, F., Khabbaz, A., Hasani, A., & Gholizadeh, P. (2021). The role of akkermansia muciniphila in obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 70(10). https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001435