Today’s Dietitian
Vol. 28 No. 2 P. 6
Q: My clients have been asking about the probiotic supplement Akkermansia muciniphila for gut and metabolic health. What’s the evidence?
A: Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is a bacterium found in the gut microbiota that was isolated as a probiotic strain in 2004.1 A. muciniphila was named after the Dutch microbial ecologist, Antoon Akkermans, with muciniphila translating into “mucin-loving.” This bacterium makes up about 1% to 3% of the total gut bacteria in healthy individuals.2 A. muciniphila is nonmotile, gram-negative, nonspore forming, and tolerates a small amount of oxygen.2
Research has documented its role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining, modulating immune response, and improving several metabolic pathways.2 It has been studied for its potential therapeutic role in obesity, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Below is an overview of Akkermansia, a look at its role in gut integrity and inflammation, and its potential therapeutic role in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Gut Health and Inflammation
The maintenance of gut homeostasis is very important, as disruptions within the gut are linked to various health issues including metabolic syndrome, immune-based disorders, infections, and neoplasia.2
A. muciniphila is known for its ability to enhance intestinal mucus secretion, maintain the balance of mucosal viscosity, promote growth of beneficial microbes, and safeguard the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier.3 By degrading mucosal components, A. muciniphila generates short-chain fatty acids including acetate, propionate, 1,2-propanediol, succinate, and sulfate.2 Due to this degradation process, the bacterium promotes mucin turnover and thickening which strengthens the intestinal barrier and reduces gut permeability. In addition, according to Ashley Koff, RD, author of Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health—GLP-1 Shot or Not, short-chain fatty acids attach to receptors on intestinal L-cells, promoting release of GLP-1 into the bloodstream as well as interacting with the vagus nerve.
A. muciniphila’s role in modulating inflammation may occur through influencing Toll-like receptor signaling, which can help regulate the activation of immune cells and the release of cytokines, signaling proteins that help control inflammation. Further, its phospholipid components have immunomodulatory properties, which can help decrease inflammation and promote immune balance.3
Potential Role in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Through its impact on gut health and inflammation, researchers have hypothesized potential therapeutic action on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related disorders.3 A 2025 published 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 58 subjects with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity looked at this possible effect. Participants received A. muciniphila supplements or placebo, in addition to healthy lifestyle guidance. Those with low baseline A. muciniphila showed high colonization efficiency and significant reductions in body weight, fat mass, and HbA1c, which were not found in the placebo group. However, those with high baseline A. muciniphila levels did not show significant clinical improvements.4
A 2020 study examined the effects of a probiotic made with anaerobic bacteria containing inulin, A. muciniphila, Clostridium beijerinckii, Clostridium butyricum, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Anaerobutyricum hallii. Compared with placebo, the probiotic improved glucose total area under the curve and glycated hemoglobin (A1c), suggesting its potential role in glycemic control and possible contribution to management of type 2 diabetes.5
Although the research in support of its various health benefits is growing, more high-quality research is needed to examine its mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety in various patient populations.
Choosing a Supplement
A. muciniphila is not found in fermented foods or standard probiotics supplements, as it is an oxygen-sensitive anaerobe that requires special conditions to survive outside the body. If your client chooses to take an A. muciniphila probiotic, educate them on the following:
- Quality. To ensure optimal quality, safety, and purity, look for reputable brands that have been independently third-party tested. This also ensures the ingredients listed on the bottle are accurate, as many products may be marketed as “Akkermansia probiotics” and only include fibers that encourage growth of A. muciniphila, not the strain itself. Check the supplement facts panel to see if A. muciniphila is listed.
- Live vs pasteurized. Live strains are alive when they reach your colon, while pasteurized strains are not. Pasteurized strains are cheaper to produce, and pasteurization inactivates the bacteria. Although some studies have been done on pasteurized A. muciniphila, research focused on live strain formulation highlights the ability of live strains to proliferate the gut.5
- Delivery form. Acid-resistant capsules are recommended over powders or liquids, which helps the probiotic pass through the stomach acids into the intestinal space.
- Prebiotics: Look for an Akkermansia probiotic that includes prebiotic fibers (eg, inulin), which feeds the probiotics and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria. However, individuals with inulin or other prebiotic sensitivity should look for a supplement without it.
- Dosage: Follow the dosage or serving size listed on the manufacturer’s label.
- Contraindications: A. muciniphila is not recommended for people with severe chronic illness, significant immune disorders or concerns (eg, organ transplant), or certain digestive system surgeries or abnormalities. In addition, studies evaluating safety and efficacy during pregnancy or breastfeeding are limited.
Recommendations for Dietitians
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the role of A. muciniphila in gut health and inflammation, including how these interactions may therapeutically influence various metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Although more research is needed, RDs can help answer questions about A. muciniphila and guide clients in selecting the appropriate supplement if they choose.
— Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, is founder of Toby Amidor Nutrition (tobyamidornutrition.com) and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s written 11 cookbooks, including her latest, Health Shots: 50 Simple Tonics to Help Improve Immunity, Ease Anxiety, Boost Energy, and More (November 2024). She’s also an award-winning media dietitian, spokesperson, and nutrition expert for FoodNetwork.com and a contributor to U.S. News and other national outlets.
Send your questions to Ask the Expert at TDeditor@gvpub.com or send a tweet to @tobyamidor.
References
1. Zhang Z, Wang J, Dang S, Liu X, Zhang Y, Zhang H. The worldview of Akkermansia muciniphila, a bibliometric analysis. Front Microbiol. 2025;16:1500893.
2. Pellegrino A, Coppola G, Santopaolo F, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. Role of Akkermansia in human diseases: from causation to therapeutic properties. Nutrients. 2023;15(8):1815.
3. Gao F, Cheng C, Li R, Chen Z, Tang K, Du G. The role of Akkermansia muciniphila in maintaining health: a bibliometric study. Front Med. 2025;12:1484656.
4. Zhang Y, Liu R, Chen Y, et al. Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation in patients with overweight/obese type 2 diabetes: efficacy depends on its baseline levels in the gut. Cell Metab. 2025;37(3):592-605.e6. 5. Perraudeau F, McMurdie P, Bullard J, et al. Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020;8(1):e001319.