The beneficial effects of using probiotics in our diets or supplementation have been studied in the last years. Indeed, these studies provide positive information about the multiple benefits we receive from the interaction between the host and bacterial strains. Furthermore, Akkermansia municiphila is one of those strains that have stood up due to its characteristic singularity and vast gastrointestinal and health benefits. Akkermansia municiphila, as part of orthomolecular medicine treatment, improves the mucosal layer integrity and immune response.
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Akkermansia municiphila was initially discovered in 2004 at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. This bacterial strain was thought to be anaerobic, but recent studies have reported that it can survive in an aerobic environment, as it tolerates oxygen at a low level. Also, it characterizes as a gram-negative, non-motile bacterium and has an oval shape.Β
Besides this, A. municiphila is the first and only representative of the species Verrucomicrobia. However, A. municiphila can be classified into three species, each one with different functions.
Akkermansia municiphilaβs main characteristics:
Most studies made with Akkermansia municiphila are made animal models due to its mucin degradation feature. However, most studies report that the use of Akkermansia municiphila is safe in humans.Β
In addition, mucin-derived monosaccharides such as fucose, galactose, and N-acetyl glucosamine can provide optimal fuel for A. municiphilaβs growth. Furthermore, other synthetic precursors can promote bacterial growth; therefore, threonine, peptone, and glucose. This last statement ensures the A. municiphila treatment in humans as secure.Β
A. municiphila has the pathogenicity potential association caused by its process of adhesion and degradation of the mucosal gut layer. However, several reports describe the A. municiphila degrades the outer mucosal layer and does not reach the inner layer. This external mucosal degrading process is attributed to benefit the intestinal self-renewal balance.
Besides this, Akkermansia municiphila is associated with the maintenance of gut microbial balance. Furthermore, the mucosal-degradation process caused by A. municiphila produces beneficial by-products that promote bacterial strain diversity and growth.
As gram-negative bacteria, Akkermansia municiphila contains lipopolysaccharide; however, it is not linked to endotoxemia. On the contrary, supplementation treatment of A. municiphila in high-fat-fed mice considerably reduced endotoxin levels.
Some of the immunomodulatory effects of A. municiphila reflect on the regulation of signals from TNF-a and INF-y. In addition, studies report a lower level of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4. These results suggest that the physician should closely monitor the use of A. municiphila and that further studies need to be performed.
The microbial strains located in the mucosal layer of the hostβs intestine intervene in the immune response. In turn, A. municiphila provides advantages to the function of the gut mucosal layer.Β
Furthermore, the environment provided by the host plays a crucial role in Akkermansia municiphilaβs growth. Earlier research performed in ray models reports that this strain rapidly grew after fasting combined with an arabinose supplementation.
Another essential interaction is A. municiphilaβs ability to metabolize mucin to propionic acid and promote colonization of beneficial bacterial in the gutβs lumen. In addition, this rapid, healthy microorganism growth results in a better immune response.
The best way to treat the gut is by determining what is going on in there. Genova labs provide a wide range of laboratory tests that ensure proper results, which will reflect in the proper treatment.
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Akkermansia municiphila studies provide information about the beneficial interaction with the host and the positive results on promoting intestinal balance. However, it seems that it can interact with other bacterial strains and produce detrimental pathogenic effects. In addition, in the presence of malnutrition and medications, it can have an overgrowth. When we talk about gut health, balance is everything. Determining our microbial diversity is critical when treating gastrointestinal and immune conditions. β Ana Paola RodrΓguez Arciniega, MS.
References:
Zhang, Ting et al. βAkkermansia muciniphila is a promising probiotic.βΒ Microbial biotechnologyΒ vol. 12,6 (2019): 1109-1125. doi:10.1111/1751-7915.13410
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The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional, licensed physician, and not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal systemβs injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and issues that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.*Β
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Read More.
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The information herein on this entire blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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