Why and How to Increase Your Levels of Akkermansia Gut Bacteria
Your internal microbiome, which includes Akkermansia gut bacteria, plays a vital role in your health and well-being. Here’s how to maintain the proper balance. While your body is composed of trillions of cells in the form of nerves, muscles, blood and other vital organs, they are outnumbered by a vast and diverse population of microbial cells that inhabit both the surface of your skin and the interior of your gastrointestinal tract.
Fortunately, their purpose is to protect, not to infect. While gut bacteria invariably include potential pathogens, they are kept in check by the overwhelming majority of benign species under normal circumstances. Nevertheless, any disruption to the number and composition of the latter can adversely impact several aspects of your health. Let’s take a closer look at the role of the gut microbiome and the steps you can take to conserve its integrity and protective properties.
Some Health-related Roles of Akkermansia Gut Bacteria
Researchers have long been aware of the genus and its presence in the human gut from studies of the composition of faecal matter. However, the discovery of a new species, named A. muciniphila by a Dutch professor, Prof. Willem de Vos, in 2004 prompted years of further research, revealing significant roles that the species plays in several bodily activities. We discuss some of its important functions here:
- Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Tolerance
It has been shown that the A. muciniphila population is higher in healthy individuals than in those with diabetes and obesity. It has the ability to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance through its anti-inflammatory function. By decreasing fat deposition in hepatic tissue and muscle, it increases insulin sensitivity. A. muciniphila also acts to deplete visceral fat mass resulting in increased blood glucose tolerance. A. muciniphila, thus, can be a potential intervention for type-2 diabetes mellitus. Since lower levels of Akkermansia gut bacteria have been observed in obese humans, it suggests a possible role in weight management.
- Regulates Immunity and Limits Inflammation
- muciniphila promotes a healthy gut barrier which regulates immunity. It also limits the onset of intestinal inflammation, which is a cause of many illnesses. By thickening the intestinal mucus layer, it protects the body from a host of chronic diseases.
Some Effective Ways to Improve Your Levels of Akkermansia Gut Bacteria
These are only a few areas in which Akkermansia makes a positive contribution to your health. But can you prevent the depletion of Akkermansia and restore normal levels if it has already been depleted? Fortunately, both are possible with a few changes to your diet and lifestyle.
- Lifestyle
Firstly, mental and physical stress have been shown to affect gut health via a mechanism known as the gut-brain axis. It, therefore, makes sense to take more time to relax. Yoga, meditation and regular exercise are all effective ways to help you destress, boost Akkermansia levels and maintain your physical health.
- Diet
What you eat can profoundly affect your health, as witnessed by the link between highly-processed foods and obesity. Your diet also affects your gut microbiome. Foods rich in polyphenols provide essential nutrients for good gut bacteria while suppressing pathogens. They include grapes, cranberries, flaxseeds, black tea and fish oil. Where depletion is severe, an Akkermansia-based food supplement could prove more effective.
A Food Supplement Containing Akkermansia Gut Bacteria
The Akkermansia Company has developed a food supplement containing pasteurised A. muciniphila, Chromium, ECGC Green Tea and Vitamin B2 for glucose control* and weight management**. You can learn more about it here.
