Akkermansia MucT Cuts Weight Regain to 2.6 Pounds in 24-Week Trial

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 11

A Nature Medicine study found overweight adults given pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT regained 2.6 pounds on average after dieting, versus 7.1 pounds with placebo over 24 weeks.
Ninety adults in the Netherlands first completed an eight-week low-energy diet aimed at losing 8% of body weight, then were randomized to the bacterium or placebo during maintenance.
Researchers said the effect appeared to depend on each person's existing gut microbiome, and no serious adverse events were reported.
Outside experts called the trial well designed and said the pasteurized microbe may work through bacterial components such as the Amuc_1100 protein, which could support gut barrier and metabolic function.
The study was small and short, participants ate nonstandardized diets, and doctors cautioned the treatment may aid weight maintenance rather than initial weight loss.