1 bacterium your key to longevity

Akkermansia - the new star bacteria in anti-aging medicine.

In recent years, scientists have been paying more attention to the tiny organisms living in our bodies, especially in our gut. This collection of microorganisms is called the microbiome. Research has shown that the microbiome affects many aspects of our health, including our immune system, hormones, mood, and brain function. The types of bacteria in our gut can either increase or decrease our chances of getting serious illnesses like cancer or diseases that affect the brain.

Over the last 5 years, scientists have done many studies on a special bacterium called Akkermansia.

Here are the main things they've learned:

Anti-Aging Effects: Oral administration of Akkermansia muciniphila elevates systemic anti-aging metabolites such as polyamines and short-chain fatty acids, which are associated with longevity and improved metabolic health

Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: Akkermansia muciniphila positively affects glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism, which can help in managing diabetes and reducing obesity-related parameters.

Obesity: A high relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila is associated with a lower risk of obesity. The bacterium helps reduce body weight and fat mass, and its presence in the gut is linked to better metabolic health

Immune System: Akkermansia muciniphila enhances gut immunity by influencing immune responses and reducing inflammation. It has been shown to improve immune functions and help in maintaining a balanced immune response.

Cancer Immunotherapy: The bacterium has been found to enhance the efficacy of PD-1 blockade-based immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Patients with higher levels of Akkermansia muciniphila respond better to immunotherapy, indicating its role in supporting anti-tumor immunity.

Gut barrier health: Akkermansia muciniphila specializes in degrading mucin, which helps maintain the gut barrier and promote gut health. Its activity in the gut can prevent the deterioration of the intestinal lining and support overall digestive health.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Akkermansia muciniphila plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal health, which can be beneficial for individuals with IBS. The bacterium enhances the intestinal barrier function and modulates the gut microbiota, which can alleviate symptoms of IBS.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The bacterium has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy gut environment.

Autoimmune Diseases: The bacterium has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects that can benefit autoimmune conditions. For example, it can slow down the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by enhancing gut barrier function and reducing inflammation.

Atherosclerosis: The bacterium exhibits lipid-lowering effects, which can be beneficial in managing atherosclerosis. It helps reduce plasma cholesterol and triglycerides levels and influences immune cell composition, which may contribute to cardiovascular health.

Alzheimer's Disease: The administration of Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to improve cognitive deficits and reduce amyloid pathology in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. This bacterium helps to improve glucose tolerance, intestinal barrier function, and reduce inflammation, which are critical factors in managing Alzheimer's disease.

In patients with all these diseases, a low level or complete absence of this bacterium has been detected.

Conclusions: 

🔹 The microbiome is important for both health and aging 
🔹 The composition and ratio of bacteria are crucial 
🔹 The flora we feed is the flora we get 
🔹 Microbiome therapy is not about taking general probiotics for 1-2 months 
🔹 Akkermansia can significantly improve conditions related to metabolic syndrome

Diet certainly influences the composition of the microbiota. There is evidence that consuming certain foods and compounds increases the growth of Akkermansia in the gut microbiome.

Effective ways to increase its population can be found in the Cheat Sheet below. 👇

Each mindful small step today will become a giant leap for your well-being tomorrow.

Warm regards,
Kos