Groundbreaking weight loss research: the secret could be in the gut
They maintain that most probiotics have shown much lower efficacy than the pasteurized intestinal bacteria Akkermansia, as a study showed
A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine looked at the effect of the pasteurized (non-living) gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila MucT on long-term weight regulation in overweight and obese adults. The research was carried out with 90 participants in the Netherlands.
The participants followed a low-energy diet for eight weeks, with the goal of reducing 8% of their body weight.
This was followed by a 24-week maintenance phase in which the researchers explained in a statement that the volunteers were randomly divided into a group that was treated with the microbe or a placebo.
Significant results
The results showed that those taking Akkermansia regained an average of 2.6 pounds, compared to 7.1 pounds in the placebo group, indicating a statistically significant difference.
The researchers noted that the effectiveness of the treatment may depend on each person's existing gut microbiome. Additionally, the short duration of the study and the lack of a standardized dietary regimen represent limitations to consider.
Although the results are promising, experts such as Dr. Peter Balazs, a doctor specializing in hormones and weight loss who practices in New York and New Jersey, interviewed by Fox News Digital, warn that Akkermansia is not a “miracle pill” and should be considered as a support for weight maintenance, not initial loss.
Balazs, who was not involved in the study, admits that most probiotics have shown much lower efficacy, “which makes these results especially notable.”
Expert opinions
Balazs explains that pasteurized Akkermansia is not a live probiotic, but rather acts through “components of the bacteria, in particular a protein called Amuc_1100.”
He highlighted that Akkermansia's Amuc_1100 protein can help strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce inflammation, thus supporting healthy metabolic functions.
“It helps maintain weight, not reverse initial loss,” he clarifies. "Its long-term use is plausible; however, its effectiveness beyond 24 weeks has not been demonstrated. This is not a substitute for diet, exercise or medical advice," he stressed.
Factors influencing the effectiveness of Akkermansia
The effectiveness of Akkermansia muciniphila in regulating weight does not depend only on the presence of the bacteria, but on several key factors that modulate its action:
Form of bacteria (live vs. pasteurized)
Composition of the intestinal microbiota
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