The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are among the more traditional probiotics that are familiar to readers, but at the same time, newly isolated bacteria and their beneficial properties are also the subject of different studies.

One such bacterium is Akkermansia muciniphila, a normal inhabitant of the gut microbiota that is less abundant in individuals with obesity. Recent findings have shown that A. muciniphila, which has been pasteurized, in a mild heat treatment to less than 100ºC, and in the form of membrane proteins and cell-wall components, is superior to live A. muciniphila in controlling gut barrier and reducing obesity-linked inflammation.

While a healthy diet and sufficient exercise are the main tools for managing obesity, A. muciniphila emerges as the first postbiotic that can help with weight loss and control. In other words, A. muciniphila may alleviate metabolic syndrome by maintaining the gut barrier in good shape, replenishing mucous layer thickness and contributing to producing antimicrobial compounds that will kill pathogens.

As part of the GMFH 10th anniversary interview series, we met Prof. Patrice D. Cani from UC Louvain (Belgium) to find out more about the history behind the use of A. muciniphila. Check out the interview to learn more about the early days of Akkermansia research.




Learn more on major advances in health and disease related to Akkermansia muciniphila and next steps with this beneficial bacterium that cares about your metabolic health in this recently published review in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

Have you watched our previous expert interviews? If not, make sure you check them out!

Stay tuned for the next video interviews with the members of the GMFH Board of Experts and don’t forget to join the Twitter conversation (Twitter @GMFHx, Twitter @GutmicrobiotaWW) using #GMFH10years.