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Gut Microbe Aids Weight Maintenance
11 Jun
Summary
- Akkermansia muciniphila microbe showed promise in weight maintenance.
- Participants taking the microbe regained significantly less weight.
- The microbe works through components, not as a live probiotic.
New research published in Nature Medicine suggests a gut microbe could aid in long-term weight maintenance. A study involving 90 participants who underwent an eight-week diet to lose 8% of their body weight found that those supplemented with a pasteurized gut bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila MucT, regained less weight during a subsequent 24-week maintenance phase.
Participants receiving the bacterium regained an average of 2.6 pounds, significantly less than the 7.1 pounds regained by the placebo group. Experts highlight that this pasteurized microbe works via its components, such as the Amuc_1100 protein, strengthening the gut barrier and reducing inflammation. This may help mitigate the body's natural tendency to regain fat after weight loss, making maintenance easier.
While promising, researchers noted the study's limitations, including its short duration and small sample size, which may not confirm long-term benefits. The efficacy also depends on an individual's existing gut microbiome. Experts emphasize that this microbe is not a substitute for diet, exercise, or lifestyle changes, but rather a potential aid for weight maintenance.
