The microbiome and disease:

The intestinal barrier is the interface for the interaction between gut microbiota and our metabolic systems. This barrier is enhanced by the presence of a mucus layer and immune factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that the development of inflammatory bowel disease results from an inappropriate inflammatory response to intestinal microbes. These observations have led to the conclusion that dysbiosis of the human gut microbiome is involved in either initiating or maintaining the disease.

Probiotic Akkermansia:

A most highly prospective probiotic therapeutic agent for future medicine, Akkermansia is thought to have extreme positive effects on gut health and illness therapy. Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is one of the key players that resides in the mucus layer of the intestine. A. muciniphila comprises a considerable population of the human gut microbiota, which contributes to about 1–4% of the faecal microbiota of healthy adults. Akkermansia is essential for mucus production in the human gut to maintain a healthy mucus layer and intestinal wall thickness. A decrease of this species has been found in human faeces and/or biopsies of several diseases, including IBD, appendicitis, type-2 diabetes, obesity, and more.

Gut integrity:

The intestinal barrier consists of a mechanical barrier, chemical barrier, immune barrier, and biological barrier, which prevent pathogens and toxins from entering the body through the intestinal mucosa. Akkermansia can ameliorate gut barrier impairment, by improving the metabolic profile and mucus layer thickness.

The intestinal mucosa, as an important immune barrier, plays an indispensable role in protecting the integrity of the gut barrier, and intestinal mucosal damage is generally observed during inflammations such as IBD and enteric infections.

Akkermansia reduces translocation of gut microbes to other areas of the body, by strengthening the gut wall, and thereby reducing the movement of pathogens and LPS (Lipopolysaccharides/endotoxins) across the barrier.

SCFA production and Akkermansia:

Akkermansia treatment also promotes SCFA secretion, as well as changing the composition of the gut microbiota. SCFAs are well known for their anti-inflammatory function in the gut. They also help to increase mineral absorption, they are key to preventing infection and fighting pathogens in the intestinal barrier, and they provide energy to colonic cells while also assisting them with regeneration and maintaining optimum gut barrier impermeability.

These results indicate that Akkermansia improves intestinal integrity through promoting intestinal mucin secretion and gut epithelium proliferation and inducing immune cell activation to further strengthen the host immune response, together with maintaining normal intestinal barrier function.

Akkermansia is therefore a crucial probiotic for gut healing and the strengthening of gut integrity. This is important for everyone, and is targeted care for autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, food sensitivities, skin concerns, mood disorders.

The natural approach

If you suspect you suffer from gut issues, inflammation, skin issues, hormonal concerns, then reach out to us. We’ll guide you through the various ways that natural medicine can help, and provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan. Book below.