Questions You Should Be Asking About Your Gut Health and Akkermansia muciniphila
When Hippocrates said all disease begins in the gut, he wasn’t far wrong. Low levels of intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila can affect gut health adversely. While such a claim by the father of modern medicine might seem extravagant, research over the past few decades has repeatedly demonstrated a strong link between the intestinal flora population and gut health. Furthermore, A. muciniphila has been shown to play a unique and essential role in this vital relationship.
Is My Gut Affecting My Health?
Perhaps you are one of the many unfortunate millions who are affected by digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease or leaky gut syndrome. If so, there is a strong possibility that there is an imbalance or deficit in your gut microbiome. The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites of different genera and species. Most are harmless and help suppress the small number of potential pathogens naturally present in your gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Interestingly, the influence of your intestinal flora extends beyond its primary location. Gut microbiota can influence mood, obesity, liver function, immune response and more.
What Role Does Akkermansia muciniphila Play In My Gut?
Akkermansia muciniphila plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal wall by thickening its protective layer of a glycoprotein named mucin. Increasing one’s Akkermansia intake may protect against the symptoms of some conditions and disorders, such as leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome (LGS) is characterised by increased permeability of the intestinal wall. Symptoms of this condition may include abdominal pain, food sensitivities, bloating and indigestion. Research indicates LGS probably occurs due to imbalances in the gut microbiome, which can trigger an inappropriate immune response.
The diagnosis of LGS is complex, and whether this is a specific illness or the manifestation of some related gastrointestinal disorder remains uncertain. However, these symptoms can be caused by an unhealthy diet, increased alcohol intake, stress, infections, autoimmune disorders and diabetes.
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Is Obesity Increasing My Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?
By now, most people are well aware of the link between obesity and the heightened risk of diabetes. However, they are probably less familiar with the observation that A. muciniphila levels are higher in lean, healthy individuals than in markedly overweight persons. .
How Can I Restore and Maintain Healthy Levels of Akkermansia muciniphila?
The bacterium is an anaerobic microbe that is not present in our food. Consequently, alternative measures are required to rectify a deficiency. In practice, there are two options:
- Foods rich in polyphenols, like some vegetables, including red onion, spinach and globe artichokes, berries, flaxseeds, and nuts, encourage the growth of muciniphila in your gut, but when levels are severely lowered, these alone may not be enough.
- A supplement containing a pasteurised culture of muciniphila, EGCG Green Tea, Chromium and Vitamin B2 can restore its level and assist with weight management* and blood glucose control**.
If you believe your lifestyle could be compromising your gut health or if you want to enhance your gut health, why not contact us to learn more about The Akkermansia Company’s innovative food supplement?
