A Critical Perspective on the Supplementation of Akkermansia muciniphila: Benefits and Harms

2023

Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium of the intestinal niche, exerting beneficial effects on the host metabolic profile. Accumulating evidence indicated Akkermansia as a promising therapeutic probiotic against metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, in specific intestinal microenvironments, its excessive enrichment may be not beneficial. Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Salmonella typhimurium infection or post-antibiotic reconstitution may not benefit from Akkermansia supplementation. Furthermore, using Akkermansia in patients with endocrine and gynecological disorders—such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PC…