Did you know that you have anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds of microbes living within your body? Now, don't let the word “microbes” scare you. These little guys are the unsung heroes of your health. Just as they rely on us for survival, we, in turn, rely on them for our own existence.

And there’s one specific microbe that plays a particularly pivotal role in keeping this ecosystem of microbes that exists within us in tip-top shape. This microbe is a little bacteria known as Akkermansia muciniphila.

Today we’re going to explore why this community of microbes is so important, what exactly it means to have a healthy microbiome, the impressive role that Akkermansia muciniphila plays in supporting your gut health, and most importantly – how you can best support a thriving population of this mighty microbe. Let’s dive in.

What Is the Microbiome and Why Is It So Important?

Within your body, there exists a bustling, vibrant ecosystem, teeming with life and activity. This metropolis is inhabited by a diverse community of tiny, microscopic residents – including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This conglomeration of microbes collectively makes up what’s known as your microbiome. 

These microscopic microbes work in harmony with your own cells to carry out all kinds of essential functions – ranging from absorbing nutrients to supporting your immune system and from regulating your mood to your supporting your metabolism. 

Take away the word your in the above sentence?

The majority of your microbiome resides within your gut and is more specifically known as your gut microbiome. Think of your gut microbiome as your body's personal support system – helping to enhance your overall well-being and ensuring that your body functions at its best. When this community is balanced and thriving, it helps maintain good health.

But what exactly does it mean to have a healthy, balanced, and thriving microbiome?

So, What Exactly Makes A Microbiome Healthy?

Two key factors create a healthy microbiome. Let’s zoom in on each of them:

Diversity: 

Diversity is key when it comes to the health of your microbiome. Just like a thriving community needs different types of people and professions (like plumbers, accountants, business owners, delivery drivers, etc.), a healthy microbiome benefits from a rich assortment of microbes. 

This diversity ensures that each microbe can bring its unique skills to the table – creating a robust community that supports your well-being.

A Strong Gut Barrier:

Now, just like any community needs the right conditions to flourish, your microbiome thrives when you provide a balanced environment that protects its microscopic residents from harm. That’s where your gut barrier comes into play. You see, your intestines are lined with cells that are packed in tightly and held together with proteins known as tight junctions.

This wall of cells is designed to function as a selective barrier – letting in the good stuff, like nutrients from your food, while keeping out the not-so-friendly things that could cause trouble. When this gut barrier is robust, it helps create an optimal environment for the diverse community of microbes within your gut to thrive and work their microscopic magic for your well-being.

While each type of beneficial microbe that resides in your gut plays its own role in keeping your gut happy and healthy, there’s one strain of gut bacteria in particular that is key to creating a healthy microbiome – a bacteria known as Akkermansia muciniphila.

What Is Akkermansia Muciniphila? 

Remember that layer of cells that keep your gut barrier strong? These cells are covered with a layer of mucus that creates a slippery gel-like coating to add an extra layer of protection. And this mucus is chock-full of a protein called mucin that houses many of your gut microbes and serves as a sort of filter – allowing “good” substances through to your gut cells while keeping “bad” substances from breaching this barrier.

Akkermansia muciniphila is a strain of bacteria that lives in and feeds on this mucus layer that lines your gut. In fact, that’s why the term “mucin” is right in this little bacteria’s name. And it’s this tiny bacteria's ability to survive and thrive by munching on the proteins in your intestinal mucus that allows it to have such impressive effects on the overall health of your microbiome.¹

How Akkermansia Muciniphila Boosts The Health Of Your Gut and Microbiome 

By feasting on the mucus layer lining your gut, Akkermansia muciniphila not only earns its keep but also plays a vital role in supporting overall gut health. You see, this little microbe doesn't just dine for itself – its munching activities actually contribute to a healthier, more balanced gut by:^2,3,4

• Bolstering the integrity of your gut lining: By breaking down the mucin, Akkermansia encourages your intestinal cells to produce more mucus – thus reinforcing the integrity of your intestinal lining. A strong gut barrier means better protection against unwanted intruders and a smoother operation of the digestive kingdom.
• Increasing microbial diversity: Akkermansia muciniphila is like the social butterfly of the microbiome. You see, as Akkermansia muciniphila munches on mucin, it produces compounds known as short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs that other gut microbes feed on – fostering more diversity among the microbial community in your gut. 

Akkermansia muciniphila is sort of like a microbial superhero – promoting a healthy gut environment, fortifying the gut barrier, and contributing to the diversity that makes your microbiome a vibrant and efficient community. And this combination of gut-boosting effects can have some pretty remarkable downstream effects on your overall health and well-being.

The Downstream Benefits of Akkermansia Muciniphila 

Just some of the health benefits associated with optimizing Akkermansia muciniphila populations in your gut include:^5,6,7,8,9

• Improved metabolism: Akkermansia muciniphila is like a metabolic maestro, influencing the way your body handles energy. Studies suggest that an abundant presence of this microbe might be associated with improved metabolism – potentially helping to manage weight and support overall metabolic health.
• Inflammation regulation: Your immune system and your gut are intricately connected. So, a healthy, happy microbiome translates into a more balanced immune system and lower overall inflammation.
• Increased insulin sensitivity: Because Akkermansia muciniphila produces a plethora of short-chain fatty acids, it helps stabilize blood glucose levels and increases your body's sensitivity to insulin.
• Better heart health: Believe it or not, having a flourishing population of Akkermansia muciniphila may contribute to cardiovascular well-being. This microbe seems to have a hand in promoting a heart-friendly environment, potentially influencing factors like cholesterol levels.

These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. You see, your gut health directly impacts just about every single aspect of your health. So taking steps to prioritize a thriving, diverse microbiome rich in Akkermansia muciniphila has a ripple effect that benefits everything from your health to your performance and from your longevity to your appearance – and everything in between.

So, you’re probably wondering how you can best increase your levels of this mighty microbe.

How Can I Increase Akkermansia Muciniphila Levels?

Boosting your Akkermansia muciniphila levels involves creating an environment in your gut that's welcoming and supportive of this friendly microbe. Here are some lifestyle and dietary tips to encourage the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila:^10,11,12

• Eat a diet rich in polyphenols and fiber: Akkermansia muciniphila loves to feast on fiber and plant compounds known as polyphenols. Eating a diet rich in a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help support the growth of this beneficial microbe.
• Get moving: Regular physical activity has been associated with increased levels of Akkermansia muciniphila. So, getting some form of movement each day can have a monumental impact on your gut health.
• Prioritize sleep: Sleep deprivation can put a major damper on your health – especially your gut health. So it’s crucial to prioritize sleep and aim for a minimum of 7 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Manage stress: Ever been really stressed and lost your appetite or felt the need to vomit? That’s because your brain and gut are directly connected via your gut-brain axis. And chronic stress is notorious for negatively affecting the balance of your gut microbiome. So try engaging in stress-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to create a more harmonious environment in your gut.

While creating a hospitable environment for Akkermansia muciniphila is a good start, the best way to really supercharge levels of this beneficial bacteria is through taking an Akkermansia supplement.

So, What’s the Best Akkermansia Supplement? 

When it comes to taking a supplement that will maximize your Akkermansia muciniphila levels, simply taking any old probiotic won’t do the trick. Most probiotic blends that you’ll find online or at your local supplement store don’t contain Akkermansia muciniphila. So your best bet is to take a specific Akkermansia probiotic.

And there’s only one brand of Akkermansia muciniphila that I trust and personally use – and that’s Pendulum’s Akkermansia Probiotic. Here’s why I love and recommend their Akkermansia supplement:

• Exclusive Akkermansia strain: Pendulum utilizes a unique strain of highly effective Akkermansia that can only be found in their proprietary formulation.
• Live bacteria: Pendulum uses live Akkermansia instead of pasteurized bacteria. This is important because studies have found that only live bacteria can effectively colonize your gut and establish intricate cross-talk with other members of the microbiome as well as with your own cells.
• Plant-based, acid-resistant, delayed-release capsule: Pendulum encapsulates its live Akkermansia bacteria in a special capsule that can withstand your stomach acid and the arduous journey through your digestive tract – allowing these mighty bacteria to be delivered intact directly to your gut.
• Allergen-free: Pendulum products do not contain any of the 9 major allergens nor does the manufacturing process create allergens.
• Backed by science and clinical studies: Pendulum has invested countless hours and dollars into ensuring their novel strain of Akkermansia delivers on its promises. With numerous scientific studies and clinical trials (and more in the works) validating the efficacy of their supplements, you can count on Pendulum supplements to pack a powerful punch when it comes to up-leveling your gut health.

I believe so strongly in Pendulum’s one-of-a-kind Akkermansia muciniphila probiotic, that I’ve partnered with them to bring you an exclusive deal. Just head over to Pendulum’s website, add Akkermansia to your cart, and enter the code DRJILL20 at checkout to receive 20% off your order. Click here to learn more about Pendulum’s Akkermansia muciniphila supplement and get your order in today!

If you are a healthcare provider, sign up for a healthcare account here and use the code WSDRJILL40 for $40 for your wholesale order!

Ready to Experience the Gut-Boosting Power Of Akkermansia?

Your gut truly is the gateway to a healthier, happier you. Harnessing the power of this marvelous microscopic ecosystem contained within your microbiome can be a game-changer for your gut – and, by extension, your overall health. If you’re ready to take your health to the next level and want to experience the gut-boosting and health-elevating power of Akkermansia, don’t waste time, money, or energy on lower-quality supplements. Pendulum's unique strain of Akkermansia is without a doubt the most powerful Akkermansia supplement on the market. 

But the truth is, while supplements like Akkermansia are without a doubt a powerful tool, they are exactly that – a tool. To tap into deep healing and vibrant health, you need a whole arsenal of tools to help you create a lifestyle that nourishes your body mind, and soul.

If you need a little help creating that lifestyle – whether you’re trying to optimize your gut health, heal an ongoing diagnosis, address unexplained symptoms, or simply take your health up a notch – I’ve got you covered. I created a Resource Roadmap to help connect you to the most useful tools for wherever you’re at in your journey – and it’s yours for free. Click here to download your Resource Roadmap. 

And don’t forget to use your code JILL20 to get your hands on Pendulum’s Akkermansia muciniphila supplement today!

Resources:

1. Microorganisms | Free Full-Text | Akkermansia muciniphila in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract: When, Where, and How? (mdpi.com)
2. Microbe Profile: Akkermansia muciniphila: a conserved intestinal symbiont that acts as the gatekeeper of our mucosa | Microbiology Society (microbiologyresearch.org)
3. Health and Disease: Akkermansia muciniphila, the Shining Star of the Gut Flora – PMC (nih.gov)
4. Akkermansia muciniphila-derived extracellular vesicles influence gut permeability through the regulation of tight junctions (nature.com)
5. Akkermansia muciniphila and improved metabolic health during a dietary intervention in obesity: relationship with gut microbiome richness and ecology | Gut (bmj.com)
6. Frontiers | Function of Akkermansia muciniphila in type 2 diabetes and related diseases (frontiersin.org)
7. THE BENEFICIAL ROLE OF PROBIOTIC AKKERMANSIA MUCINIPHILA IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE – Gastroenterology (gastrojournal.org)
8. The anti-inflammatory effects of Akkermansia muciniphila and its derivates in HFD/CCL4-induced murine model of liver injury | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
9. The potential impact of a probiotic: Akkermansia muciniphila in the regulation of blood pressure—the current facts and evidence – PMC (nih.gov)
10. Strategies to promote abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, an emerging probiotics in the gut, evidence from dietary intervention studies – PMC (nih.gov)

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