The Role of Akkermansia muciniphila in Human Gut Functioning
Akkermansia muciniphila is one of a range of ingredients of a new food supplement promoting weight management with glucose control. The organism was first isolated and studied by a professor at Wageningen University in The Netherlands. This tertiary education establishment is unique in that its primary focus is on healthy food and the living environment.
The body is a complex system of cells that function optimally with the help of microorganisms all of which facilitate our good health. This collection of microorganisms ranges from bacteria to single-celled organisms and other microbes from the human microbiota. The human body’s microbiome refers to the organisms contained in your microbiota. There is a spectrum of microbes, some of which are harmful to the body, while others aid the body’s healthy functioning. The gut microbiome has received much attention due to its seeming associations with various conditions and diseases.
The Significance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the Gut Microbiome
One such gut microbe which can be found throughout the human gastrointestinal tract but is most prevalent in the large intestine is Akkermansia muciniphila. The significance of this species is revealed in its name, which translates as attracted to mucin. In contrast to other gut microbiota, its primary sources of nutrition is the mucin produced by the epithelial cells lining the inner surface of the gut. By consuming mucin for energy, Akkermansia encourages the epithelial cells to produce additional mucin thereby fortifying the intestinal wall.
The gut’s mucin layer creates a barrier to avoid harmful bacteria from travelling into our circulatory systems. However, a regulated mucin layer or a strong gut lining not only produces an impenetrable barrier but also ensures that beneficial microbes can continue their necessary functioning in keeping the body healthy. The gut lining thus creates a healthy environment for these microbes to fulfil their role. Akkermansia muciniphila directly interacts with the gut lining, which, in turn, helps to maintain and regulate it. Surprisingly, studies have revealed that the numbers of this mucinophilic species are markedly higher in lean individuals.
How to Boost Akkermansia Muciniphila Levels in Your Gut
Research regarding food consumption shows that certain foods can boost the population of intestinal A. muciniphila. These include foods high in the group of polyphenols known as proanthocyanidins, such as cranberries and grapes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids found in oily fish, like sardines and tuna or in flax seeds, are also associated with leanness.
However, some of these foods are seasonal and available only as expensive imports when out of season locally. Unfortunately, these natural sources contain relatively small quantities of the nutrients required to boost the growth of gut microbiota. Furthermore, rising prices in the wake of a growing global financial recession have made them unaffordable for many, creating the need for more efficient and less costly means to boost the intestinal population of A. muciniphila.
Researchers Have Developed a Food Supplement with Pasteurised Akkermansia
Professors from two prestigious European universities have developed a food supplement combining pasteurised A. muciniphila, ECGC Green Tea, Chromium and Vitamin B2. This supplement offers an effective means of weight control, with the addition of ECGC Green Tea, and the maintenance of normal glucose levels with Chromium as an ingredient. Click here to learn how you can take charge of your health with this product from The Akkermansia Company.