Vitamins & Supplements · Probiotic
Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics
Akkermansia muciniphila; Faecalibacterium prausnitzii · also called Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, NGPs, live biotherapeutics
Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium are bacteria that live in the human gut and are sold or studied as 'next-generation probiotics'. The best human trials are of one heat-killed Akkermansia product, with mixed results on blood sugar and weight. No supplement trial of Faecalibacterium was found. Safety has been judged by the EU for one Akkermansia ingredient, but not for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so ask a doctor or pharmacist first.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics
Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium are gut bacteria studied as next-generation probiotics. Human trials are few and mostly of one heat-killed Akkermansia product. Results are mixed, and safety beyond a few months is unknown.
What they are
Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii are bacteria that live naturally in the human gut. 'Next-generation probiotics' is an informal label for gut organisms beyond the usual Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. A 2017 perspective says the label overlaps with 'live biotherapeutic products', a class developed only for drug use.
A 2024 review says research in humans is still lacking and regulatory approval is rare. Other organisms in this group, such as Roseburia, Eubacterium hallii and Bacteroides fragilis, are at an earlier stage.
Forms and where they come from
These bacteria are not foods and are not found in normal food portions, so there are no USDA food values. Trials of Akkermansia used heat-treated (pasteurised) cells in capsules. Live cells are described as hard to make and store because the bacteria are sensitive to oxygen.
Diet may change how many of these bacteria live in the gut. Reviews of Mediterranean-style diets and of plant-compound supplements saw higher levels in some studies, but not a proven health benefit.
What the research shows
The first human trial, in 2019, was small (32 finished) and found better insulin sensitivity and about 9% lower total cholesterol against placebo with pasteurised Akkermansia. A 2026 trial in 142 adults missed its main outcome. A 2025 trial in type 2 diabetes saw no overall difference. A 2026 trial found less weight regain after dieting.
Benefits in two trials appeared mainly in people who started with low Akkermansia. That is a lead for new trials. For Faecalibacterium, no supplement trial in people was found; the evidence is that sick people tend to have less of it.
How regulators see them
In the EU, EFSA judged one pasteurised Akkermansia ingredient safe at set daily cell counts: adults in 2021 (not pregnant or breastfeeding women), and adolescents aged 12 to under 18 in 2025. These are safety opinions, not statements that it works. Whether and where products are sold was not in the sources read, and US status was not read from an FDA source.
A 2017 perspective says organisms of this kind are likely better suited to a drug route than a food route.
Reading product claims
Evidence for one strain does not carry over to another strain, to live cells or to blends. 'Boosts your Akkermansia' and 'matched to your microbiome' go beyond what a subgroup finding can support. 'Next-generation' does not mean tested for safety: ISAPP says species without a history of safe use must be judged case by case.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Not traditional remedies or foods
- Identified through gut-microbiome research in recent years
Studied for research
- What they are and whether adding them helps, insufficient
- Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar, mixed
- Body weight and weight regain, low certainty
- Cholesterol, very low certainty
- Who responds (low starting Akkermansia), low certainty
- Muscle strength in older adults, very low certainty
- Faecalibacterium and bowel disease, insufficient (association only)
- Diet effects on bacterial levels, low certainty
Main compounds
- Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila (MucT, HB05, AKK-WST01)
- Live Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium cells
- Multi-strain blends
Common forms
- Pasteurised (heat-treated) capsules used in trials
- Live-cell products (hard to make and store)
- Blends of several strains or prebiotics
Research links: 2019 pilot trial: pasteurised Akkermansia in overweight adults · 2026 trial in 142 adults with metabolic syndrome · 2025 trial in type 2 diabetes (depends on baseline Akkermansia) · 2026 trial: weight loss maintenance · 2023 review: Faecalibacterium as a possible probiotic · 2025 EFSA opinion on pasteurised Akkermansia · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (gut bacteria), with other 'next-generation probiotics'
- Common names
- Akkermansia (English); Faecalibacterium (English); Next-generation probiotics (NGPs) (English); Live biotherapeutic products (an overlapping drug class) (English)
- Family or group
- Gut bacteria being studied as 'next-generation probiotics'. They are not the usual Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics.
- Habitat
- The human gut. A 2024 review calls A. muciniphila a common colonizer of the gut mucus layer.
- Cultivation
- Oxygen-sensitive gut bacteria are hard to culture and store, according to a 2024 review.
- Harvest and processing
- Trials used pasteurised (heat-treated) Akkermansia cells.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Usual probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium); Note: Different bacteria with a longer record of use. Results for them do not apply to these organisms.; Name: Postbiotics (killed cells or products of bacteria); Note: Pasteurised Akkermansia is a heat-killed form; one trial's authors call their product a postbiotic.; Name: Prebiotic fibres and polyphenols; Note: They feed the gut bacteria rather than adding bacteria. See the diet item on the Benefits tab.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2017: the idea of next-generation probiotics | A 2017 perspective describes these organisms as likely candidates for new microbial therapies and notes the overlap with live biotherapeutic products. | p28440276 |
| 2019: first human trial of Akkermansia | The 2019 pilot abstract says giving A. muciniphila to humans had never been investigated before it. | p31263284 |
| 2021: first EU safety opinion | EFSA published its first opinion on pasteurised A. muciniphila as a novel food in September 2021. | p34484452 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila (strains MucT, HB05, AKK-WST01) | heat-treated bacterial cells | Trials used capsules with billions of cells; amounts are in the studies table. | The form tested in human trials and assessed by EFSA. 5 15 8 6 | Human data |
| Live Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium cells | live bacteria | Not read from a source. | Said to be hard to produce and store because they are oxygen-sensitive; the 2019 pilot also included a live-cell group. 2 5 | Human data |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonisation of the gut | Not applicable | In a 2025 trial the bacteria settled well when starting Akkermansia was low and poorly when it was high; the authors repeated this in germ-free mice. 16 | Human and animal |
| Gut immunity, barrier and short-chain fatty acids | Not named in the abstract | A 2024 review reports these organisms may support gut immunity, keep the gut barrier intact and make short-chain fatty acids. Mostly lab and animal level. 2 1 | Preclinical |
| Anti-inflammatory activity of Faecalibacterium | Not named in the abstract | A 2023 review summarises mechanisms attributed to the genus and says low levels go with inflammatory bowel disease. 10 | Preclinical and association |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Elimination
- Not researched.
- Bioavailability
- Colonisation (settling in the gut) varied with starting Akkermansia levels in one trial.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
These bacteria are not eaten in food. Diet and plant compounds may change how many are in the gut, but trials of diets and trials of supplement cells are different things.
Nutritional composition
Not a nutrient and not a food, so there are no USDA food-content values. Diet items on the Benefits tab concern how diet changes bacterial levels.
1 mixed findings3 low certainty3 very low certainty3 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 10 benefits and uses checked for Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- What they are, and whether adding them helpsNot enough evidence
- Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar (pasteurised Akkermansia)Mixed findings
- Body weight and keeping weight off (pasteurised Akkermansia)Low certainty
- Cholesterol (pasteurised Akkermansia)Very low certainty
- Does it depend on how much Akkermansia you already have?Low certainty
- Muscle strength in older adults (pasteurised Akkermansia HB05)Very low certainty
- Faecalibacterium and inflammatory bowel disease (a link, not a treatment)Not enough evidence
- Gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids and inflammationNot enough evidence
- Food and diet effects on these bacteriaLow certainty
- A prebiotic blend that raised F. prausnitzii (weight, inflammation, sleep)Very low certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Insulin sensitivityHbA1c (average blood sugar)Total cholesterolWeight regain after dietingLeg muscle strength (peak torque)FollistatinF. prausnitzii level in stool
What is Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Almost all human data are for one kind of product: pasteurised Akkermansia.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
What they are, and whether adding them helps
Not enough evidenceAkkermansia and Faecalibacterium are bacteria that live naturally in the gut. They are being studied as 'next-generation probiotics'. Living in healthy guts does not show that taking them as a supplement helps. Human research is still limited.
4 studiesForms vary: pasteurised cells (used in the trials), live cells (hard …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2017 perspective says these organisms are often called next-generation probiotics and overlap with live biotherapeutic products, a class made only for pharmaceutical use. A 2024 review says research in humans is still lacking and regulatory approval is rare. A 2024 critical review says that before wide use, regulatory hurdles, big clinical trials and manufacturing must be dealt with. The human trials that exist are in the next items.
Results
There is no general proof that adding these bacteria improves health. The best human data are a handful of trials of one pasteurised (heat-killed) Akkermansia product, with mixed results.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes apply to this overview.
Why this rating
Insufficient: the 'next-generation probiotic' idea rests on reviews, association studies and animal work. Specific trial results are rated item by item.
Form and dose studied
Forms vary: pasteurised cells (used in the trials), live cells (hard to make and store) and blends. See the Safety tab for what is known about safety.
Who was studied
Not specific. Trials so far are in adults who are overweight, have metabolic syndrome or are older.
Limits
Reviews are narrative, read from abstracts, and two have authors with ties to companies developing these organisms.
Why researchers looked
People see these names on products and in the news and ask whether they work like normal probiotics.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Reviews describe possible roles in gut immunity, the gut barrier and short-chain fatty acids. These come mostly from lab and animal work and from comparing sick and healthy people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not a regulated medicine. See the Safety tab for regulator statements and cautions.
Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar (pasteurised Akkermansia)
Mixed findingsIn a small 2019 trial, pasteurised Akkermansia improved insulin sensitivity compared with placebo. Larger later trials did not repeat this in everyone. Only some subgroups, for example people with low starting Akkermansia, improved.
3 studiesOnly pasteurised Akkermansia (strains such as MucT and AKK-WST01) was…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2019 randomised pilot (40 enrolled, 32 finished) found that pasteurised A. muciniphila raised insulin sensitivity by about 29% and lowered blood insulin by about 34% against placebo over 3 months. A 2026 multicentre trial in 142 adults with metabolic syndrome found no difference in its main outcome (whole-body insulin sensitivity) after 4 months. Exploratory analyses showed gains in people with prediabetes, age 63 and over, and low starting Akkermansia. A 2025 trial in 58 people with type 2 diabetes saw both groups improve with no overall difference; those with low starting Akkermansia improved on weight and HbA1c, and those with high starting levels did not.
Results
Mixed. One small positive pilot, two larger trials with negative main results and positive subgroup results. The subgroup findings need a trial built to test them.
Effect sizes as reported
2019: insulin sensitivity +28.62% (P = 0.002), insulin -34.08% (P = 0.006). 2026: main outcome no difference; low-baseline subgroup improved (p < 0.05). 2025: no overall difference.
Why this rating
Mixed: one positive pilot, two larger trials that missed their main goals, and positive findings only in exploratory subgroups. Two of the three trials have authors tied to Akkermansia companies or patents.
Form and dose studied
Only pasteurised Akkermansia (strains such as MucT and AKK-WST01) was tested; live cells and other strains are not covered. Amounts used appear in the studies table only.
Who was studied
Adults who are overweight, obese, with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Limits
Results apply only to those strains, the pasteurised form and those groups. Subgroup results can be chance. Trials were 3 to 4 months.
Why researchers looked
Lower Akkermansia has been seen in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, so researchers asked whether adding it would help.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Proposed: the bacteria may strengthen the gut barrier and raise the gut hormone GLP-1. In the 2026 trial GLP-1 after a sugar drink was higher in some subgroups. This is not established as the reason for any benefit.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No serious adverse events were reported in the abstracts read; see the Safety tab. People on diabetes medicines should ask a doctor before adding supplements.
Body weight and keeping weight off (pasteurised Akkermansia)
Low certaintyIn one 2026 trial, people who first lost weight on a low-energy diet regained less weight over the next 24 weeks on pasteurised Akkermansia than on placebo. Earlier trials saw only small, non-significant weight changes.
3 studiesPasteurised MucT in the positive trial; amounts are not given in the …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
In a 2026 randomised trial of 90 adults, regain after an 8-week diet was 1.2 kg on pasteurised MucT and 3.2 kg on placebo over 24 weeks (P = 0.012). In the 2019 pilot, body weight fell by about 2.3 kg more than placebo but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.091). In the 2025 diabetes trial, both groups lost weight with no difference between them overall.
Results
Possible small benefit for avoiding weight regain from one trial; other trials did not show an overall weight effect.
Effect sizes as reported
2026: regain 1.2 +/- 0.7 vs 3.2 +/- 0.4 kg (P = 0.012). 2019: -2.27 kg, P = 0.091. 2025: no overall difference.
Why this rating
Low: one positive randomised trial with company-tied authors, short follow-up, and no overall weight effect in two other trials.
Form and dose studied
Pasteurised MucT in the positive trial; amounts are not given in the abstract.
Who was studied
Adults with overweight or obesity.
Limits
Short trial; the positive result has not been repeated by an independent team in what we read.
Why researchers looked
Akkermansia is linked to leanness in animal studies and in some human comparisons, so weight is a main question.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established. The authors note they did not test a changed version of the bacteria, so which part matters is not known.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No serious treatment-related adverse events in the 2026 trial abstract.
Cholesterol (pasteurised Akkermansia)
Very low certaintyTotal cholesterol fell about 9% more than placebo in the 2019 pilot. The later trials we read did not report cholesterol in their abstracts, so this has not been confirmed.
1 studiesPasteurised cells, about 10 billion a day in the pilot (studied in th…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
In the 2019 pilot (32 finishers), total cholesterol fell by 8.68% against placebo (P = 0.02) with pasteurised A. muciniphila. The abstracts of the 2025 and 2026 trials read here do not report cholesterol, so a repeat is not confirmed.
Results
A single small result that has not been repeated in what we read.
Effect sizes as reported
Total cholesterol -8.68 +/- 2.38% (P = 0.02) in the 2019 pilot.
Why this rating
Very low: one small exploratory pilot with company-tied authors; no confirmation.
Form and dose studied
Pasteurised cells, about 10 billion a day in the pilot (studied in the trial).
Who was studied
Overweight or obese adults with insulin resistance.
Limits
Small, exploratory, not repeated.
Why researchers looked
Blood fats are often high in the same people studied for insulin resistance.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
Does it depend on how much Akkermansia you already have?
Low certaintyTwo trials found the benefits, if any, showed up mainly in people who started with low Akkermansia. This is an idea to test, not a proven way to pick who should take it.
2 studiesPasteurised Akkermansia strains only.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2025 trial of 58 people with type 2 diabetes reported benefits only where starting Akkermansia was low. A 2026 trial of 142 adults found the same direction in exploratory analyses. The 2025 authors say this supports the idea of gut-microbiome-guided supplementation.
Results
Consistent direction in two trials, but both are subgroup analyses and neither was designed to test it.
Effect sizes as reported
No pooled effect size. Low-baseline subgroup results were p < 0.05 in both.
Why this rating
Low: two exploratory subgroup findings, one in a trial with company-tied authors.
Form and dose studied
Pasteurised Akkermansia strains only.
Who was studied
Adults with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.
Limits
Subgroup analyses can be chance. Product claims such as 'matched to your microbiome' go beyond this evidence.
Why researchers looked
Bacteria added to a gut that already has plenty may not settle in.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
In the 2025 trial the bacteria settled well in low-baseline people and poorly in high-baseline people, and the authors repeated the pattern in germ-free mice. This is preliminary.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
Muscle strength in older adults (pasteurised Akkermansia HB05)
Very low certaintyOne 12-week trial in people aged 60 and over found stronger leg muscles on a pasteurised Akkermansia strain than on placebo. It is a single trial from a team tied to the strain's company.
1 studiesPasteurised strain HB05; amount in the studies table.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 randomised trial of 100 people aged 60 and over gave pasteurised A. muciniphila HB05 or placebo for 12 weeks. Leg extensor peak torque was higher on HB05 (p = 0.0103). No notable safety concerns arose between groups.
Results
A possible benefit in one trial; it needs repeating by others.
Effect sizes as reported
Peak torque p = 0.0103; per body weight p = 0.0052; follistatin p = 0.0063.
Why this rating
Very low: one trial, company-tied authors, short, one strain.
Form and dose studied
Pasteurised strain HB05; amount in the studies table.
Who was studied
People aged 60 and over.
Limits
Daily-life function and walking were not reported in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Muscle loss with age is common, and a rat study suggested a possible effect.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established. The trial measured follistatin, a protein that works against myostatin, but this does not show how strength improved.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No notable safety concerns in the abstract.
Faecalibacterium and inflammatory bowel disease (a link, not a treatment)
Not enough evidencePeople with inflammatory bowel disease and some other conditions tend to have less Faecalibacterium. That is an association. It does not show that taking the bacteria treats anything, and we found no trial of a Faecalibacterium supplement.
2 studiesNo Faecalibacterium product tested in a human trial was read.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2023 review reports lower Faecalibacterium in inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, dermatitis and depression, and argues for development as a live biotherapeutic. The authors include company founders working on such a product.
Results
No human trial of a Faecalibacterium supplement was read. The evidence is association and lab work.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes apply.
Why this rating
Insufficient: association and lab evidence only, from a review with commercial interests.
Form and dose studied
No Faecalibacterium product tested in a human trial was read.
Limits
Lower amounts can be a result of illness, diet or medicines rather than a cause.
Why researchers looked
Low Faecalibacterium shows up often in gut disease, so developers want to use it as a live biotherapeutic.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Reviews say it makes butyrate and has anti-inflammatory effects in lab work. Not established in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not established; see the Safety tab.
Gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids and inflammation
Not enough evidenceReviews say these bacteria help keep the gut lining intact and make short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. These claims come mainly from lab and animal work, not from supplement trials in people.
2 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 review says these organisms may enhance gut immunity, retain barrier integrity and produce short-chain fatty acids, and that research in humans is still lacking. In the 2019 human pilot, a blood marker of gut-barrier leakage was a planned secondary outcome, and the abstract reports improved markers for liver dysfunction and inflammation, with no change in overall gut bacteria makeup.
Results
Lab and animal level for most claims; no human proof that supplements change the gut barrier.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes apply.
Why this rating
Insufficient: mechanisms from reviews and animal work.
Limits
The human pilot abstract does not give the gut-barrier numbers.
Why researchers looked
A healthy gut lining and butyrate are often named as reasons these bacteria matter.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Preclinical
Described in reviews: gut immunity, barrier integrity and short-chain fatty acid production. Lab and animal level.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
Food and diet effects on these bacteria
Low certaintySome diets and plant compounds raised the amount of Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium in studies. The studies measured how much of the bacteria was present. They did not show a health benefit from that rise.
2 studiesWhole diets and polyphenol supplements, not a food source of the bact…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2026 meta-analysis of 9 trials of Mediterranean-style diets found enrichment of health-related bacteria including Akkermansia muciniphila, described in words only. A 2026 meta-analysis of 50 trials of polyphenol supplements found Akkermansia higher in 50% and F. prausnitzii higher in 45.5% of studies that measured them, and higher stool butyrate.
Results
Diet and plant compounds may shift these bacteria; the health meaning is unclear.
Effect sizes as reported
Butyrate SMD 0.48 (0.32 to 0.64); Akkermansia up in 50%, F. prausnitzii up in 45.5% of studies.
Why this rating
Low: bacterial levels only, not health outcomes, and the Akkermansia finding for diet was a description rather than a pooled result.
Form and dose studied
Whole diets and polyphenol supplements, not a food source of the bacteria.
Who was studied
Adults.
Limits
A higher bacterial level is a marker. Food sources of the bacteria themselves do not exist in the data read.
Why researchers looked
People ask whether food can raise these bacteria instead of a supplement.
Traditional use
These bacteria are not eaten as food. Diet may change how many of them live in the gut.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Plant compounds called polyphenols and fibre are fermented by gut bacteria, which may favour some species. Not established for these two.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety issue noted for the diets; see the Safety tab for polyphenol supplements in general.
A prebiotic blend that raised F. prausnitzii (weight, inflammation, sleep)
Very low certaintyOne 2025 trial of a prebiotic and mineral blend saw F. prausnitzii rise and weight, inflammation and sleep scores improve. The product did not contain Faecalibacterium, so the result is about a blend, not about the bacteria.
1 studiesBlend of prebiotics, beta-glucans, minerals and silymarin.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2025 double-blind trial of 77 adults with overweight or obesity gave one of two blends for 90 days. The blend without silymarin raised Faecalibacterium and F. prausnitzii. The silymarin blend lowered body weight and cholesterol. Both lowered an inflammation ratio and cortisol.
Results
A blend of many ingredients; the changes cannot be credited to Faecalibacterium. No placebo group is described.
Effect sizes as reported
Direction only; no effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Very low: a blend, no placebo group described, industry funded.
Form and dose studied
Blend of prebiotics, beta-glucans, minerals and silymarin.
Who was studied
Adults with overweight or obesity.
Limits
A rise in a bacterium's level is a marker.
Why researchers looked
Researchers wanted to see whether feeding the gut could raise these bacteria and improve metabolism.
Traditional use
These are gut bacteria that were identified by gut-microbiome research in recent years. They have no history as traditional remedies or as ordinary foods.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established. The blend (prebiotics, beta-glucans, minerals, silymarin) may feed gut bacteria; the study cannot tell which ingredient did what.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Silymarin and other blend ingredients were not assessed for safety here.
Connections to the rest of health
How Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive Health | Not enough evidence | What they are, and whether adding them helps: Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium are bacteria that live naturally in the gut. They are being studied as 'next-generation probiotics'. Living in healthy guts does not show that taking them as a supplement helps. Human research is still limited. | 13 2 1 10 | |
| Metabolic Health | Not enough evidence | What they are, and whether adding them helps: Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium are bacteria that live naturally in the gut. They are being studied as 'next-generation probiotics'. Living in healthy guts does not show that taking them as a supplement helps. Human research is still limited. | 13 2 1 10 | |
| Blood Sugar Balance | Mixed findings | Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar (pasteurised Akkermansia): In a small 2019 trial, pasteurised Akkermansia improved insulin sensitivity compared with placebo. Larger later trials did not repeat this in everyone. Only some subgroups, for example people with low starting Akkermansia, improved. | 5 15 16 | |
| Metabolic Health | Mixed findings | Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar (pasteurised Akkermansia): In a small 2019 trial, pasteurised Akkermansia improved insulin sensitivity compared with placebo. Larger later trials did not repeat this in everyone. Only some subgroups, for example people with low starting Akkermansia, improved. Body weight and keeping weight off (pasteurised Akkermansia): In one 2026 trial, people who first lost weight on a low-energy diet regained less weight over the next 24 weeks on pasteurised Akkermansia than on placebo. Earlier trials saw only small, non-significant weight changes. | 5 15 16 12 | |
| Weight Management | Low certainty | Body weight and keeping weight off (pasteurised Akkermansia): In one 2026 trial, people who first lost weight on a low-energy diet regained less weight over the next 24 weeks on pasteurised Akkermansia than on placebo. Earlier trials saw only small, non-significant weight changes. | 12 5 16 | |
| Heart Health | Very low certainty | Cholesterol (pasteurised Akkermansia): Total cholesterol fell about 9% more than placebo in the 2019 pilot. The later trials we read did not report cholesterol in their abstracts, so this has not been confirmed. | 5 | |
| Metabolic Health | Very low certainty | Cholesterol (pasteurised Akkermansia): Total cholesterol fell about 9% more than placebo in the 2019 pilot. The later trials we read did not report cholesterol in their abstracts, so this has not been confirmed. | 5 | |
| Metabolic Health | Low certainty | Does it depend on how much Akkermansia you already have?: Two trials found the benefits, if any, showed up mainly in people who started with low Akkermansia. This is an idea to test, not a proven way to pick who should take it. | 16 15 | |
| Healthy Aging | Very low certainty | Muscle strength in older adults (pasteurised Akkermansia HB05): One 12-week trial in people aged 60 and over found stronger leg muscles on a pasteurised Akkermansia strain than on placebo. It is a single trial from a team tied to the strain's company. | 8 | |
| Muscle Support | Very low certainty | Muscle strength in older adults (pasteurised Akkermansia HB05): One 12-week trial in people aged 60 and over found stronger leg muscles on a pasteurised Akkermansia strain than on placebo. It is a single trial from a team tied to the strain's company. | 8 | |
| Digestive Health | Not enough evidence | Faecalibacterium and inflammatory bowel disease (a link, not a treatment): People with inflammatory bowel disease and some other conditions tend to have less Faecalibacterium. That is an association. It does not show that taking the bacteria treats anything, and we found no trial of a Faecalibacterium supplement. | 10 2 | |
| Digestive Health | Not enough evidence | Gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids and inflammation: Reviews say these bacteria help keep the gut lining intact and make short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. These claims come mainly from lab and animal work, not from supplement trials in people. | 2 5 | |
| Immune Support | Not enough evidence | Gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids and inflammation: Reviews say these bacteria help keep the gut lining intact and make short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. These claims come mainly from lab and animal work, not from supplement trials in people. | 2 5 | |
| Digestive Health | Low certainty | Food and diet effects on these bacteria: Some diets and plant compounds raised the amount of Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium in studies. The studies measured how much of the bacteria was present. They did not show a health benefit from that rise. | 9 3 | |
| Healthy Eating | Low certainty | Food and diet effects on these bacteria: Some diets and plant compounds raised the amount of Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium in studies. The studies measured how much of the bacteria was present. They did not show a health benefit from that rise. | 9 3 | |
| Weight Management | Very low certainty | A prebiotic blend that raised F. prausnitzii (weight, inflammation, sleep): One 2025 trial of a prebiotic and mineral blend saw F. prausnitzii rise and weight, inflammation and sleep scores improve. The product did not contain Faecalibacterium, so the result is about a blend, not about the bacteria. | 14 | |
| Sleep | Very low certainty | A prebiotic blend that raised F. prausnitzii (weight, inflammation, sleep): One 2025 trial of a prebiotic and mineral blend saw F. prausnitzii rise and weight, inflammation and sleep scores improve. The product did not contain Faecalibacterium, so the result is about a blend, not about the bacteria. | 14 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: What they are, and whether adding them helps Studied for: Faecalibacterium and inflammatory bowel disease (a link, not a treatment) | 13 2 1 10 5 9 3 |
| Gut | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: What they are, and whether adding them helps Studied for: Does it depend on how much Akkermansia you already have? | 13 2 1 10 16 15 9 3 14 |
| Metabolism | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar (pasteurised Akkermansia) Studied for: Body weight and keeping weight off (pasteurised Akkermansia) | 5 15 16 12 14 |
| Blood Sugar Support | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar (pasteurised Akkermansia) | 5 15 16 |
| Whole Body | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Body weight and keeping weight off (pasteurised Akkermansia) | 12 5 16 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Cholesterol (pasteurised Akkermansia) | 5 |
| Muscles | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Muscle strength in older adults (pasteurised Akkermansia HB05) | 8 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids and inflammation | 2 5 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 diabetes | Mixed findings | Trials of pasteurised Akkermansia in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome gave mixed results. Preparation or compound: Pasteurised Akkermansia |
16 15 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin sensitivity | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: higher in a 2019 pilot; no change in the main result of a 2026 trial (mixed). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 15 |
| HbA1c (average blood sugar) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: no overall difference from placebo (low-baseline subgroup lower). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 16 |
| Total cholesterol | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lower in one small pilot. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| Weight regain after dieting | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: less regain in one trial. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 |
| Leg muscle strength (peak torque) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: higher. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 8 |
| Follistatin | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: higher. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 8 |
| F. prausnitzii level in stool | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: higher with the blend. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 14 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory bowel disease | Preliminary mechanism | Association | Lower Faecalibacterium is linked to inflammatory bowel disease (association). | 10 |
| Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes | Preliminary mechanism | Human | The main human trials of pasteurised Akkermansia were in these groups. | 15 16 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila (strains MucT, HB05, AKK-WST01) | Biological association | Human | The form tested in human trials and assessed by EFSA. | 5 15 8 6 |
| Live Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium cells | Biological association | Human | Said to be hard to produce and store because they are oxygen-sensitive; the 2019 pilot also included a live-cell group. | 2 5 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 10 outcomes
Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.
The evidence
The research centre for Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing summary of these organisms, re-read the PubMed abstracts for the trials, reviews and EFSA opinions, searched for newer trials, and read the NCCIH probiotics page. Only abstracts were read for studies.
Study library: every study we checked 17
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbasi 2024 A Critical Review on Akkermansia muciniphila: Functional Mechanisms, Technological Challenges, and Safety Issues. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins · PMID 37432597 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of Akkermansia muciniphila colonisation, mechanisms, delivery and safety | Akkermansia muciniphila |
Calls A. muciniphila a common colonizer of the gut mucus layer and an option for a next-generation probiotic based on lab and animal findings. Says that before wide use, regulatory hurdles, large clinical trials and sustainable manufacturing must be dealt with. No numbers in the abstract (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Colonisation, mechanisms, manufacturing and safety Limitations: Narrative review; the abstract lists safety as a topic but gives no safety findings. Abstract read only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Al-Fakhrany 2024 Next-generation probiotics: the upcoming biotherapeutics. Mol Biol Rep · PMID 38619680 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of five emerging organisms: Eubacterium hallii, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia, Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides fragilis | Next-generation probiotic organisms |
The review reports that these organisms may strengthen gut immunity, help keep the gut barrier intact, make short-chain fatty acids and ease side effects of cancer treatment, and may boost immunotherapy. It also says research in humans is still lacking, regulatory approval is rare, and oxygen-sensitive organisms are hard to grow and store. No numbers in the abstract (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Roles in gut immunity, gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids, cancer treatment side effects; hurdles to use Limitations: A narrative review; the beneficial roles are 'emerging' and mostly come from lab and animal work. Abstract read only. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no relevant interests. Read: abstract |
| Alshatari 2026 Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients · PMID 42280405 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
2042 50 randomised trials, 2042 adults |
Polyphenol supplements (plant compounds) Oral supplements Varied Varied · vs Placebo or control |
Polyphenols were linked to higher butyrate in stool. In the individual studies, the relative amount of Akkermansia muciniphila rose in 50% and of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in 45.5% of studies that measured them. Butyrate pooled SMD 0.48; Akkermansia increased in 50% of studies; F. prausnitzii in 45.5% (Butyrate 0.32 to 0.64 (I2 58%)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gut bacteria makeup and fecal short-chain fatty acids Limitations: Changes in how much of a bacterium is present are markers, not health results. Abstract read only; the share of studies is a count, not a pooled effect. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Boesmans 2018 Butyrate Producers as Potential Next-Generation Probiotics: Safety Assessment of the Administration of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum to Healthy Volunteers. mSystems · PMID 30417112 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
30 30 healthy volunteers; crossover design |
Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum 25-3T (a different next-generation probiotic, not Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium) Encapsulated live bacteria 100 million CFU a day (studied in the trial) Two 4-week periods with a 3-week break · vs Maltodextrin placebo |
The number of reported side effects was similar on the bacteria and on placebo. Blood chemistry, bowel habits and calprotectin did not differ. The strain did not disrupt gut bacteria makeup. The authors call it safe and well tolerated in healthy people. No difference in adverse events from placebo (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Adverse events, blood tests, bowel habits, gut inflammation marker (calprotectin), gut bacteria Limitations: Small, short, healthy volunteers only, one strain. It says nothing about Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium, or about sick people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Depommier 2019 Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study. Nat Med · PMID 31263284 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
40 40 overweight or obese adults with insulin resistance enrolled, 32 finished; single centre, Belgium |
Akkermansia muciniphila, live or pasteurised cells Daily oral bacteria (form not detailed in the abstract) About 10 billion bacteria a day (studied in the trial) 3 months · vs Placebo |
Safe and well tolerated. Against placebo, the pasteurised bacteria improved insulin sensitivity, lowered insulin in the blood and lowered total cholesterol. Body weight, fat mass and hip size moved down only slightly (not significant). Blood markers of liver dysfunction and inflammation fell. Overall gut bacteria makeup did not change. Insulin sensitivity +28.62 +/- 7.02% (P = 0.002); insulinemia -34.08 +/- 7.12% (P = 0.006); total cholesterol -8.68 +/- 2.38% (P = 0.02); body weight -2.27 +/- 0.92 kg (P = 0.091) (Not given as confidence intervals in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety and tolerability; insulin sensitivity, insulin, blood fats, body weight and fat, gut-barrier marker, gut bacteria makeup Limitations: Small pilot (32 finished), one centre, three months. The authors call it a proof-of-concept exploratory study. Body weight, fat mass and hip changes were not statistically significant. Funding and conflicts: Several authors are inventors on patent applications on Akkermansia (stated in the paper). Registration: NCT02637115 Read: abstract |
| EFSA Panel on Nutrition 2021 Safety of pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J · PMID 34484452 · DOI |
Regulatory opinion human and rat toxicology reviewed |
EU safety opinion on pasteurised A. muciniphila as a novel food for adults (not pregnant or breastfeeding women) and foods for special medical purposes | Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila Novel food ingredient |
EFSA called A. muciniphila a well-characterised, non-toxin-producing, avirulent organism reported as part of normal gut bacteria. Using a 90-day rat study and an uncertainty factor of 200, the panel concluded that 3.4 x 10^10 cells a day is safe for the target adults, if viable cells in the ingredient are below 10 colony-forming units per gram. Safe at up to 3.4 x 10^10 cells/day (EFSA conclusion; regulator statement, not advice) (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety under EU novel food rules Limitations: A safety opinion, not a test of benefit. It rests on a rat study and human literature, for one pasteurised ingredient. Funding and conflicts: Independent EU agency panel; applicant's request noted in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| EFSA Panel on Nutrition 2025 Safety of an extension of use of pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J · PMID 41018002 · DOI |
Regulatory opinion human and animal studies reviewed |
EU safety opinion on extending pasteurised A. muciniphila to adolescents aged 12 to under 18 and to pregnant and breastfeeding women | Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila Novel food ingredient |
EFSA found that newer toxicology and human studies do not raise safety concerns for adolescents from 12 years. It concluded the ingredient is safe at up to 2.1 x 10^10 cells a day for ages 12 to under 14 and 3.0 x 10^10 for ages 14 to under 18. No evidence was provided for pregnant and breastfeeding women, so their safety has not been established. Adolescents 12 to <14: up to 2.1 x 10^10 cells/day; 14 to <18: up to 3.0 x 10^10 cells/day (EFSA conclusion; regulator statement, not advice). Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety not established (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety for adolescents and for pregnancy and breastfeeding Limitations: A safety opinion, not a test of benefit. Younger children are not covered. Funding and conflicts: Independent EU agency panel. Read: abstract |
| Kang 2024 Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila HB05 (HB05P) Improves Muscle Strength and Function: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients · PMID 39683431 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
100 100 people aged 60 and over; South Korea |
Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila strain HB05 (from breast milk of healthy Korean women) Daily supplement 10 billion cells a day (studied in the trial) 12 weeks · vs Placebo |
Leg extensor muscle strength improved against placebo, and follistatin (a protein that works against myostatin) was higher. No notable safety concerns arose between the groups. Peak torque p = 0.0103; peak torque per body weight p = 0.0052; follistatin p = 0.0063 (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Leg muscle strength (peak torque), follistatin level, safety Limitations: One trial, 12 weeks, one strain. Walking speed and daily-life function were not reported in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Three authors were employed by HealthBiome Co., Ltd., a company that works with the strain. Read: abstract |
| Lauria 2026 Mediterranean diet, gut microbiota, and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · PMID 41381307 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
1337 9 randomised trials, 1337 adults at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease |
Mediterranean-style diets Whole diet Varied · vs Control diets |
The diets lowered HbA1c, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Gut bacteria were summarised in words only, because methods differed: diversity rose and health-related groups, including Akkermansia muciniphila and Roseburia, were enriched. HbA1c mean difference -0.18; LDL -0.10; triglycerides -0.20 (Akkermansia result is qualitative) (HbA1c -0.35 to -0.01; LDL -0.19 to -0.00; triglycerides -0.28 to -0.12) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and gut bacteria makeup Limitations: The Akkermansia finding was descriptive, not pooled, and shows a change in level, not a health result from the bacteria. Abstract read only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Martin 2023 Faecalibacterium: a bacterial genus with promising human health applications. FEMS Microbiol Rev · PMID 37451743 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of Faecalibacterium taxonomy, disease links, ways to change levels, and mechanisms | Faecalibacterium (genus) |
Low levels of Faecalibacterium go with inflammatory conditions, most of all inflammatory bowel disease, and also colorectal cancer, dermatitis and depression. The genus has changed from one species to several. The authors say epidemiological and experimental data strongly support developing it as a next-generation probiotic or live biotherapeutic. No numbers in the abstract (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Taxonomy, disease associations, strategies to raise levels, mechanisms Limitations: A review argument built largely on association (lower amounts in sick people). It does not show that giving the bacteria treats anything. Abstract read only. Funding and conflicts: Two authors co-founded Exeliom Biosciences, a company aiming to make a F. prausnitzii-based product for inflammatory bowel disease; several declare payments from food and drug companies. Read: abstract |
| Merenstein 2023 Emerging issues in probiotic safety: 2023 perspectives. Gut Microbes · PMID 36919522 · DOI |
Expert consensus |
Expert meeting report from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics on probiotic safety | Probiotics in general |
Says established practices sensibly address safety for traditional probiotics used by healthy people. Products meant for patient groups should meet stricter quality standards, ideally checked by an independent third party. Safety of probiotics from species without a history of safe use must be judged case by case. Open questions include drug interactions, antibiotic-resistance gene transfer and colonisation. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Acute and long-term risks, vulnerable groups, product quality, adverse event reporting Limitations: Expert opinion, not a trial. Abstract and plain-language summary read. Funding and conflicts: The group is linked to the probiotics industry and to the ISAPP board; several authors declare consultancies with probiotic and food companies. Read: abstract |
| Mount 2026 Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila Muc(T) for weight loss maintenance in people with overweight and obesity: a controlled randomized trial. Nat Med · PMID 42120725 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
90 90 adults with overweight or obesity who first lost at least 8% of weight on an 8-week low-energy diet |
Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila MucT Daily supplement (form not detailed in the abstract) Not given in the abstract 24 weeks of weight maintenance after the 8-week diet · vs Placebo |
People on MucT regained less weight than people on placebo and kept a bigger net weight loss from the start. No serious side effects related to the treatment were seen. Starting Akkermansia level was linked to the heart and metabolism response. Weight regain 1.2 +/- 0.7 kg (MucT) vs 3.2 +/- 0.4 kg (placebo), P = 0.012; net loss from baseline 3.1 +/- 0.7 kg greater with MucT, P = 0.009 (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Change in body weight during the maintenance period Limitations: Short intervention. No comparison group given a changed version of MucT, so what part of the bacteria matters is not known (stated by the authors). One trial. Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: authors include a co-founder, officers and an employee of The Akkermansia Company; several are patent applicants for this study. Registration: NCT05417360 Read: abstract |
| O'Toole 2017 Next-generation probiotics: the spectrum from probiotics to live biotherapeutics. Nat Microbiol · PMID 28440276 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Perspective article on organisms likely to be used as new microbial therapies | Next-generation probiotic organisms |
Says these organisms are often called next-generation probiotics, a concept that overlaps with live biotherapeutic products, a class made only for pharmaceutical use. Their development is likely to suit a drug route better than a food route. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Definition of next-generation probiotics; regulation Limitations: An expert perspective, not a study. Abstract read only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Santamarina 2025 Nutraceutical Blends Promote Weight Loss, Inflammation Reduction, and Better Sleep: The Role of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Overweight Adults-A Double-Blind Trial. Mol Nutr Food Res · PMID 39981988 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
77 77 adults with overweight or obesity; Brazil |
Nutraceutical blend of prebiotics, beta-glucans, minerals and silymarin (milk thistle); not a Faecalibacterium product Supplement blend, with or without added silymarin Not given in the abstract 90 days · vs The two blends were compared with each other; no placebo group is described in the abstract |
The blend without silymarin raised Faecalibacterium and F. prausnitzii in the gut. The silymarin blend lowered body weight, waist-to-height ratio and cholesterol. Both blends lowered an inflammation ratio and cortisol. The product contained no Faecalibacterium cells: it fed the bacteria that were already there. Direction of change only in the abstract; no effect sizes given (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gut bacteria, body weight, cholesterol, inflammation markers, cortisol, sleep Limitations: No placebo group is described in the abstract. A blend of several ingredients, so no change can be credited to Faecalibacterium. A rise in a bacterium's level is a marker, not a health result. Funding and conflicts: Funded by EFEOM Nutrition S.A., which helped with the protocol and analysis. Read: abstract |
| Suenaert 2026 Effect of pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT on insulin sensitivity, body composition, and GLP-1 production in subjects with metabolic syndrome: impact of low baseline gut Akkermansia levels. Gut Microbes · PMID 42343233 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
142 142 adults with metabolic syndrome, with or without prediabetes; multicentre, Ireland and Germany |
Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila, strain MucT Daily capsules 30 billion cells a day (studied in the trial) 4 months (some results at 3 months) · vs Placebo |
The main outcome did not differ from placebo. In later, exploratory analyses, liver insulin sensitivity improved in the prediabetes and age 63-and-over subgroups, and the gut hormone GLP-1 rose more after a sugar drink. People with low starting Akkermansia showed better insulin sensitivity, GLP-1 and trunk fat results. Main outcome: no difference from placebo. Prediabetes subgroup: liver insulin sensitivity +12% (p = 0.05). Low-baseline subgroup: Matsuda and HOMA-S improved (p < 0.05); trunk fat down (p < 0.05); body weight p = 0.06 (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Whole-body insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index) as the main outcome; liver insulin sensitivity, GLP-1, body weight, trunk fat, gut bacteria Limitations: The main (primary) result was negative. The subgroup results were exploratory, so they are ideas to test, not proof. Subgroups were small and p values were borderline (0.05). Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: some authors are employees or consultants of The Akkermansia Company, and two are co-founders or patent inventors. Registration: NCT05114018 Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2025 Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation in patients with overweight/obese type 2 diabetes: Efficacy depends on its baseline levels in the gut. Cell Metab · PMID 39879980 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial |
58 58 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes; China |
Akkermansia muciniphila strain AKK-WST01 Oral supplement (form not detailed in the abstract) Not given in the abstract 12 weeks · vs Placebo, plus routine lifestyle guidance in both groups |
Both groups lost some weight and lowered HbA1c, and the difference between the groups was not significant. In people with low starting Akkermansia the bacteria settled well and weight, fat mass and HbA1c fell. In people with high starting levels they settled poorly and nothing improved. The authors repeated the pattern in germ-free mice. No significant between-group differences overall; low-baseline subgroup: significant reductions in weight, fat mass and HbA1c (numbers not in the abstract) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Body weight, HbA1c (average blood sugar), fat mass; how well the bacteria settled in the gut Limitations: Small trial; the subgroup split by baseline levels was not the main test. Dose not read from the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Registration: NCT04797442 Read: abstract |
| s-nccih-probiotics NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health): Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety (page last updated August 2019) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No supplement trial of Faecalibacterium in people was found.
- No independent repeat of the weight-maintenance trial was read.
- Whether low starting Akkermansia predicts benefit needs a trial built to test it.
- Long-term (over one year) safety data were not found.
- No trial of live-cell Akkermansia was read.
- US regulatory status was not read from an FDA source.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 2
HbA1c (average blood sugar)
No overall difference from placebo (low-baseline subgroup lower) in trials
A blood test that reflects average blood sugar over the past two to three months.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether the bacteria change long-term blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Overall no difference; the subgroup result was not the main test.
Safety implication
Diabetes medicines can interact with changes in blood sugar; ask a doctor.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Both groups fell; no significant difference between groups. In low-baseline participants HbA1c fell significantly. | 58 adults with overweight or obese type 2 diabetes | Akkermansia AKK-WST01, 12 weeks, plus lifestyle guidance |
Total cholesterol
Lower in one small pilot in trials
The total amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Other 5
Insulin sensitivity
Higher in a 2019 pilot; no change in the main result of a 2026 trial (mixed) in trials
How well the body responds to insulin. The Matsuda index and HOMA-S are calculated from blood tests after fasting or a sugar drink.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether pasteurised Akkermansia improves how the body handles sugar.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Positive pilot, negative main result in the larger trial. Subgroup gains are ideas to test.
Safety implication
No serious safety signal in the abstracts read.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | +28.62 +/- 7.02% against placebo (P = 0.002) | 32 finishers, overweight or obese with insulin resistance | Pasteurised A. muciniphila, 3 months |
| 15 | Main outcome (Matsuda index) did not differ from placebo; improved in the low-baseline subgroup (p < 0.05) | 142 adults with metabolic syndrome | Pasteurised A. muciniphila MucT, 4 months |
Weight regain after dieting
Less regain in one trial in trials
How much weight a person puts back on after first losing it.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether the bacteria help people keep weight off.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One company-linked trial; short follow-up.
Safety implication
No serious treatment-related adverse events reported.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1.2 +/- 0.7 kg regained on MucT vs 3.2 +/- 0.4 kg on placebo (P = 0.012) | 90 adults with overweight or obesity after an 8-week diet | Pasteurised A. muciniphila MucT, 24 weeks |
Leg muscle strength (peak torque)
Higher in trials
The most force the leg extensor muscles can produce, measured on a machine.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether the bacteria improve muscle strength.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One trial, company-tied.
Safety implication
No notable safety concerns reported.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Higher peak torque than placebo (p = 0.0103); per body weight p = 0.0052 | 100 people aged 60 and over | Pasteurised A. muciniphila HB05, 12 weeks |
Follistatin
Higher in trials
A blood protein that works against myostatin, which limits muscle growth.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A possible link between the bacteria and muscle.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A lab marker; its link to strength is not shown by this trial.
Safety implication
None noted.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Higher than placebo (p = 0.0063) | 100 people aged 60 and over | Pasteurised A. muciniphila HB05, 12 weeks |
F. prausnitzii level in stool
Higher with the blend in trials
How much of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is present in a stool sample.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To check whether a product changes the gut bacteria.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A bacterial level, not a health result.
Safety implication
None noted.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | F. prausnitzii rose in the non-silymarin blend group (direction only) | 77 adults with overweight or obesity | Prebiotic and mineral blend, 90 days |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- Safe use is judged one strain at a time. The safety findings for one pasteurised Akkermansia product do not carry over to other strains, to live cells, or to Faecalibacterium. The expert group ISAPP says probiotics from species without a history of safe use must be judged case by case. Expert consensus and regulatory 11 6
- Higher risk if you are seriously ill or have a weakened immune system. NCCIH says harm from probiotics in general is more likely in severe illness or weakened immunity, and severe or fatal infections have been reported in premature infants. This page's sources do not say this applies to Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium in particular, but they are live or recently live bacteria products, so ask a doctor first. Authoritative guidance (probiotics in general) 17
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety not established. EFSA's 2025 opinion says no evidence was provided for pasteurised Akkermansia in pregnant and breastfeeding women, so safety has not been established for them. Regulatory opinion 7
- Products may not match the label. NCCIH says some probiotic products have been found to contain organisms not on the label, and some of these can pose serious health risks. ISAPP asks for independent quality checks for products meant for vulnerable people. Authoritative guidance and expert consensus 17 11
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| No notable side effects reported in the Akkermansia trials read These were short trials (3 to 6 months) in adults with a few dozen to about a hundred people each. They cannot rule out rare or long-term effects. | Not given as counts in the abstracts | The 2019 pilot called the product safe and well tolerated. The 2026 weight trial reported no serious adverse events related to treatment. The 2024 muscle trial found no notable safety concerns between groups. Not reported. | Randomised trials (abstract level) 5 12 8 |
| Human safety of a different next-generation probiotic (Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum) in healthy adults This is another organism. It shows what a safety study of a next-generation probiotic looks like; it is not evidence for Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium. | Side effects similar to placebo in 30 healthy volunteers | No difference in blood chemistry, bowel habits or gut inflammation marker. Not reported. | Randomised crossover trial 4 |
| Possible effects of probiotics in general: infections, harmful substances made by the microbes, and antibiotic-resistance gene transfer Listed by NCCIH as possible harms for probiotics in general, not shown for these two organisms. | NCCIH: few studies have looked at safety in detail, so frequency and severity are not well known. | Can be serious in people who are very ill, have weakened immunity or are premature infants. Not stated. | Authoritative guidance (probiotics in general) 17 |
Liver
No liver injury was reported in the sources read. The 2019 pilot abstract reports that blood markers of liver dysfunction fell on pasteurised Akkermansia. A liver-safety database (LiverTox) was not checked. 5
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probiotics supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 4
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines that weaken the immune system (for example after a transplant or during cancer treatment) prescription | NCCIH says harm from probiotics is more likely when the immune system is weakened. | A general caution for probiotics, not a tested interaction with Akkermansia or Faecalibacterium. | Authoritative guidance Low certainty 17 | Ask the treating doctor before using any live-bacteria product. |
| Antibiotics prescription | Not known. Antibiotics can reduce gut bacteria, and the ISAPP group lists interactions with drugs and colonisation as open research questions. | No study of an interaction between these bacteria and antibiotics was read. | Expert consensus (research gap) Very low certainty 11 | Ask a pharmacist whether and when to use a probiotic during an antibiotic course. |
| Diabetes medicines (insulin, metformin and others) prescription | Not shown. Some trials saw blood sugar markers fall, so an added effect is theoretical. | No interaction was reported in the abstracts of the trials in people with type 2 diabetes. This is not proof of no interaction. | Theoretical Not enough evidence 16 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before adding a supplement if you use diabetes medicines. |
| Other probiotics and prebiotic fibres supplement | Not studied. | No interaction was found in the sources read. | Not studied Not enough evidence | Ask a pharmacist if you use several gut products. |
Who should check first 4
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | EFSA's 2025 opinion says safety of pasteurised Akkermansia in pregnant and breastfeeding women has not been established. Ask a doctor before use. | Regulatory opinion 7 |
| Children and adolescents | EFSA reviewed adolescents aged 12 to under 18 for pasteurised Akkermansia and found no safety concern at its stated limits. Younger children and infants are not covered by these opinions. Premature infants have had severe or fatal infections with probiotics in general (NCCIH). | Regulatory opinion and authoritative guidance 7 17 |
| Severe illness, central venous lines, weakened immunity | NCCIH says risk of harm is higher in these groups for probiotics in general; the risks should be weighed carefully with the treating team. | Authoritative guidance (probiotics in general) 17 |
| Kidney or liver disease, surgery, allergy | Not described for these organisms in the sources read. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. | No data found |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. EFSA judged pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila safe at set daily cell counts, based mainly on a 90-day rat study with an uncertainty factor of 200. There is no safety judgement in the sources read for Faecalibacterium products.
Animal. EFSA's 2021 conclusion rests on a 90-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in rats (NOAEL with uncertainty factor 200).
Human doses studied. Not advice. Trial amounts appear in the studies table only.
High dose or long term signals. No long-term human safety data were found in the abstracts read; the longest trials were about 6 months.
Overdose response. Not described.
Genotoxicity. Not reviewed here.
Quality is a real issue for live bacteria products. The sources say contamination with unlabelled organisms has been reported, and that oxygen-sensitive organisms are hard to culture and store, so a product may not keep its stated contents.
Organisms not on the label. NCCIH says some probiotic products were reported to contain microorganisms other than those on the label, which in some cases may pose serious health risks. 17
Viable cells in pasteurised products. EFSA's 2021 conclusion depends on viable cells in the pasteurised ingredient being below 10 colony-forming units per gram. 6
Making and storing oxygen-sensitive organisms. A 2024 review says culture and storage of oxygen-sensitive next-generation probiotics are barriers to market use. 2
Independent quality checks. ISAPP recommends independent third-party checks for products aimed at vulnerable groups and whole-genome sequencing to identify strains and rule out toxin and resistance genes. 11
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (European Union) | 2021 opinion: pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila is safe at 3.4 x 10^10 cells a day for adults other than pregnant and breastfeeding women, if viable cells are below 10 colony-forming units per gram. This is a safety statement, not a statement that it works. source | 2021-09-01 |
| European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (European Union) | 2025 opinion: pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila is safe at up to 2.1 x 10^10 cells a day for ages 12 to under 14 and 3.0 x 10^10 for ages 14 to under 18. Safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women has not been established. source | 2025-09-25 |
| NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health) (United States) | Says probiotics have a long history of apparently safe use in healthy people, safety has been studied in detail by few studies, the risk is greater in severe illness or weakened immunity, the FDA has warned health care providers about severe infections in premature infants, and some products contain organisms not on the label. The page covers probiotics in general. source | 2019-08-01 |
When to get medical help
- Fever, chills, shaking or feeling very unwell after taking a live-bacteria product, especially if you have a weak immune system, a central line or a serious illness: get medical help the same day.
- A premature or very sick baby has been given a probiotic and develops fever, poor feeding or lethargy: call the care team straight away.
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, or widespread hives: call emergency services.
- Severe or bloody diarrhoea, severe belly pain or vomiting that does not stop: seek medical help.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a next-generation probiotic?
It is an informal label for gut organisms beyond the usual probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. It overlaps with 'live biotherapeutic products', a class developed for drug use.
What are Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium?
Does Akkermansia help with blood sugar?
Does it help with weight?
Can I buy Faecalibacterium and expect results?
No supplement trial of Faecalibacterium in people was found. Low levels in sick people are an association and do not show that giving the bacteria treats anything.
Is pasteurised Akkermansia the same as live Akkermansia?
Does it work better if I have low Akkermansia?
Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
EFSA's 2025 opinion says safety of pasteurised Akkermansia in pregnant and breastfeeding women has not been established. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Who should be careful?
NCCIH says probiotics in general carry more risk in severe illness or weakened immunity, and severe or fatal infections have been reported in premature infants. Ask a doctor first.
Are these organisms regulated like drugs?
Can food raise these bacteria?
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing summary of these organisms, re-read the PubMed abstracts for the trials, reviews and EFSA opinions, searched for newer trials, and read the NCCIH probiotics page. Only abstracts were read for studies.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Several key Akkermansia trials were written by authors tied to Akkermansia companies, which is flagged on each study.
Sources 17
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Abbasi A, Bazzaz S, Da Cruz AG, Khorshidian N, Saadat YR, Sabahi S, Ozma MA, Lahouty M, et al.. A Critical Review on Akkermansia muciniphila: Functional Mechanisms, Technological Challenges, and Safety Issues.. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2024. PMID 37432597. DOI 10.1007/s12602-023-10118-x. (abstract)
- Al-Fakhrany OM, Elekhnawy E. Next-generation probiotics: the upcoming biotherapeutics.. Mol Biol Rep. 2024. PMID 38619680. DOI 10.1007/s11033-024-09398-5. (abstract)
- Alshatari S, Ziarno M. Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Nutrients. 2026. PMID 42280405. DOI 10.3390/nu18111762. (abstract)
- Boesmans L, Valles-Colomer M, Wang J, Eeckhaut V, Falony G, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F, Raes J, et al.. Butyrate Producers as Potential Next-Generation Probiotics: Safety Assessment of the Administration of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum to Healthy Volunteers.. mSystems. 2018. PMID 30417112. DOI 10.1128/mSystems.00094-18. (abstract)
- Depommier C, Everard A, Druart C, Plovier H, Van Hul M, Vieira-Silva S, Falony G, Raes J, et al.. Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study.. Nat Med. 2019. PMID 31263284. DOI 10.1038/s41591-019-0495-2. (abstract)
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA); Turck D, Bohn T, et al.. Safety of pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.. EFSA J. 2021. PMID 34484452. DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6780. (abstract)
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA); Turck D, Bohn T, Camara M, et al.. Safety of an extension of use of pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.. EFSA J. 2025. PMID 41018002. DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9632. (abstract)
- Kang CH, Jung ES, Jung SJ, Han YH, Chae SW, Jeong DY, Kim BC, Lee SO, et al.. Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila HB05 (HB05P) Improves Muscle Strength and Function: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.. Nutrients. 2024. PMID 39683431. DOI 10.3390/nu16234037. (abstract)
- Lauria F, Formisano A, Dello Russo M, Quaglia C, Giacco R, Russo GL, Spagnuolo C, Vitale M. Mediterranean diet, gut microbiota, and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials.. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2026. PMID 41381307. DOI 10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104433. (abstract)
- Martin R, Rios-Covian D, Huillet E, Auger S, Khazaal S, Bermudez-Humaran LG, Sokol H, Chatel JM, et al.. Faecalibacterium: a bacterial genus with promising human health applications.. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2023. PMID 37451743. DOI 10.1093/femsre/fuad039. (abstract)
- Merenstein D, Pot B, Leyer G, Ouwehand AC, Preidis GA, Elkins CA, Hill C, Lewis ZT, et al.. Emerging issues in probiotic safety: 2023 perspectives.. Gut Microbes. 2023. PMID 36919522. DOI 10.1080/19490976.2023.2185034. (abstract)
- Mount S, Canfora EE, Jocken JW, Umanets A, Hul G, Coenjaerds M, Aldaz Laquidain P, Adriaens ME, et al.. Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila Muc(T) for weight loss maintenance in people with overweight and obesity: a controlled randomized trial.. Nat Med. 2026. PMID 42120725. DOI 10.1038/s41591-026-04394-7. (abstract)
- O'Toole PW, Marchesi JR, Hill C. Next-generation probiotics: the spectrum from probiotics to live biotherapeutics.. Nat Microbiol. 2017. PMID 28440276. DOI 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2017.57. (abstract)
- Santamarina AB, Filho VN, de Freitas JA, Franco LAM, Martins RC, Fonseca JV, Orellana Turri JA, Hufnagel MT, et al.. Nutraceutical Blends Promote Weight Loss, Inflammation Reduction, and Better Sleep: The Role of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Overweight Adults-A Double-Blind Trial.. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2025. PMID 39981988. DOI 10.1002/mnfr.202400806. (abstract)
- Suenaert P, Segers A, Rymenans L, Devroye H, Moll JM, Cani PD, de Vos WM. Effect of pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT on insulin sensitivity, body composition, and GLP-1 production in subjects with metabolic syndrome: impact of low baseline gut Akkermansia levels.. Gut Microbes. 2026. PMID 42343233. DOI 10.1080/19490976.2026.2690689. (abstract)
- Zhang Y, Liu R, Chen Y, Cao Z, Liu C, Bao R, Wang Y, Huang S, et al.. Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation in patients with overweight/obese type 2 diabetes: Efficacy depends on its baseline levels in the gut.. Cell Metab. 2025. PMID 39879980. DOI 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.12.010. (abstract)
- . NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health): Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety (page last updated August 2019). . . (full-text)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- The amount of the active ingredient per serving, not just the front-label claim
- A third-party testing mark (USP, NSF or ConsumerLab)
- Other ingredients and allergens
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions with your medicines
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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