Michael Oredsson, CEO of the Akkermansia Company, joined the NutraCast to discuss the patented strain and its potential health benefits.
Akkermansia muciniphila was discovered in 2004 when two European professors first reported its key role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and immune system. Studies have since shown Akkermansia is associated with lower rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
“What Akkermansia does is it really keeps your immune system fit in many ways, and if your immune system is messed up, that leads to many things, not just metabolic syndrome,“ Oredsson said. ”Overweight, obesity, diabetes type 2, heart problems—they’re all part of the metabolic syndrome, so they are some of the most important health benefits from having the right amounts of Akkermansia muciniphila in your gut.
“There are other things as well that we have seen, such as cognition. There is just early evidence in that field, but it’s a very exciting one that will be explored further in the future. But also more straightforward things like gut problems, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, as an example, that we have seen. Clearly that there are health benefits from Akkermansia muciniphila in the case of IBS. So there’s a wide variety of positive health benefits.”
Oredsson also discussed the company’s latest, larger trial that focuses on weight stability and avoiding the “yo-yo” effect, which he is are excited to share more about soon. He highlighted that while GLP-1 drugs can lead to weight loss, the weight often rebounds when the drugs are stopped. Akkermansia, however, may offer a more sustainable solution by helping people maintain their weight loss, he said.
When asked if the product was inspired by the GLP-1 medications, Oredsson said no.
“It was more good timing, actually,” he explained. “We were aware of course that when we started the research, the first publications were out, and I think the products had been launched even, but it was not actually by design so much as coincidence—a happy coincidence.”
To hear more about how Akkermansia may help support those coming off GLP-1 medications and upcoming research, listen to the NutraCast.
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