Live Chat 8am - 8pm
FREE Next Day Delivery on orders over £25
FREE lifetime support

Microbes with metabolic regulating function

Akkermansia muciniphila and Christensenella minuta are two beneficial bacteria found in the human gut. They both play a role in regulating metabolism.

  1. Akkermansia muciniphila: A. muciniphila is known for its ability to degrade mucin, a protein that forms the protective mucus layer in the gut. This interaction helps maintain gut barrier function and regulates the host’s metabolism. 1Geerlings SY, Kostopoulos I, de Vos WM, Belzer C. Akkermansia muciniphila in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract: When, Where, and How? Microorganisms. 2018 Jul 23;6(3):75. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms6030075.2Kim S, Shin YC, Kim TY, Kim Y, Lee YS, Lee SH, Kim MN, O E, Kim KS, Kweon MN. Mucin degrader Akkermansia muciniphila accelerates intestinal stem cell-mediated epithelial development. Gut Microbes. 2021 Jan-Dec;13(1):1-20. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1892441.Some specific ways A. muciniphila contributes to metabolic regulation include:
  • Improving insulin sensitivity: Studies have shown that A. muciniphila can increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like propionate, which enhances insulin sensitivity and may help prevent type 2 diabetes. 3Dao MC, Everard A, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Sokolovska N, Prifti E, Verger EO, Kayser BD, Levenez F, Chilloux J, Hoyles L; MICRO-Obes Consortium; Dumas ME, Rizkalla SW, Doré J, Cani PD, Clément K. Akkermansia muciniphila and improved metabolic health during a dietary intervention in obesity: relationship with gut microbiome richness and ecology. Gut. 2016 Mar;65(3):426-36. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308778.4Xu Y, Wang N, Tan HY, Li S, Zhang C, Feng Y. Function of Akkermansia muciniphila in Obesity: Interactions With Lipid Metabolism, Immune Response and Gut Systems. Front Microbiol. 2020 Feb 21;11:219. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00219.5Sanjiwani MID, Aryadi IPH, Semadi IMS. Review of Literature on Akkermansia muciniphila and its Possible Role in the Etiopathogenesis and Therapy of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc. 2022;37(1):69-74. doi: 10.15605/jafes.037.01.13.
  • Reducing inflammation: A. muciniphila can modulate inflammation by interacting with immune cells and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which helps maintain metabolic homeostasis.6Zheng M, Han R, Yuan Y, Xing Y, Zhang W, Sun Z, Liu Y, Li J, Mao T. The role of Akkermansia muciniphila in inflammatory bowel disease: Current knowledge and perspectives. Front Immunol. 2023 Jan 6;13:1089600. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1089600.7Liu, Y., Liu, Q., Zhang, C., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., Chen, W., & Zhai, Q. (2023). Strain-specific effects of Akkermansia muciniphila on the regulation of intestinal barrier. Food Science and Human Wellness, 12(5), 1526-1537. doi: 10.1016/j.fshw.2023.02.022
  • Regulating fat storage: A. muciniphila is associated with a lower risk of obesity, as it may help regulate the storage and distribution of fat in the body.8Abuqwider JN, Mauriello G, Altamimi M. Akkermansia muciniphila, a New Generation of Beneficial Microbiota in Modulating Obesity: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms. 2021 May 20;9(5):1098. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9051098.

  1. Christensenella minuta: C. minuta is less well-studied than A. muciniphila but has also been linked to metabolism regulation:
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight: Research has shown that C. minuta may play a role in determining body weight. People with higher levels of Christensenella in their gut tend to have lower body mass index (BMI), and studies in mice have demonstrated that introducing C. minuta can lead to reduced weight gain. Emerging research in humans continues to test whether this happens in people too. 9Waters JL, Ley RE. The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health. BMC Biol. 2019 Oct 28;17(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12915-019-0699-4.10Mazier W, Le Corf K, Martinez C, Tudela H, Kissi D, Kropp C, Coubard C, Soto M, Elustondo F, Rawadi G, Claus SP. A New Strain of Christensenella minuta as a Potential Biotherapy for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases. Cells. 2021 Apr 6;10(4):823. doi: 10.3390/cells10040823.11Zou Y, Xue W, Lin X, Hu T, Liu SW, Sun CH, Luo G, Lv M, Dai Y, Kristiansen K, Xiao L. Taxonomic Description and Genome Sequence of Christensenella intestinihominis sp. nov., a Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Bacterium Isolated From Human Gut. Front Microbiol. 2021 Feb 22;12:632361. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.632361
  • Producing short-chain fatty acids: C. minuta can ferment dietary fibres to produce SCFAs, which are crucial for maintaining gut health and regulating metabolism. SCFAs have been linked to increased energy expenditure, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation.12Ramos Meyers G, Samouda H, Bohn T. Short Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism in Relation to Gut Microbiota and Genetic Variability. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 16;14(24):5361. doi: 10.3390/nu14245361.13Kropp, C., Le Corf, K., Relizani, K. et al. The Keystone commensal bacterium Christensenella minuta DSM 22607 displays anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo. Sci Rep 11, 11494 (2021). doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90885-1

In summary, both Akkermansia muciniphila and Christensenella minuta contribute to the regulation of human metabolism through their roles in maintaining gut barrier function, producing short-chain fatty acids, modulating inflammation, and influencing fat storage and body weight. As a rule of thumb, abundant levels of these two microbes are considered to be a sign of good metabolic health.

Where to find Akkermansia and Christensenella in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test features individual scores for both Akkermansia and Christensenella. You will find them in the “Metabolic regulators” section of the “Probiotics” report.

Synonyms: Akkermansia muciniphila, Verrucomicrobiae, A. muciniphila, Christensenella minuta, C. minuta, metabolic regulators, metabolism-regulating bacteria

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

  • 1
    Geerlings SY, Kostopoulos I, de Vos WM, Belzer C. Akkermansia muciniphila in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract: When, Where, and How? Microorganisms. 2018 Jul 23;6(3):75. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms6030075.
  • 2
    Kim S, Shin YC, Kim TY, Kim Y, Lee YS, Lee SH, Kim MN, O E, Kim KS, Kweon MN. Mucin degrader Akkermansia muciniphila accelerates intestinal stem cell-mediated epithelial development. Gut Microbes. 2021 Jan-Dec;13(1):1-20. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1892441.
  • 3
    Dao MC, Everard A, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Sokolovska N, Prifti E, Verger EO, Kayser BD, Levenez F, Chilloux J, Hoyles L; MICRO-Obes Consortium; Dumas ME, Rizkalla SW, Doré J, Cani PD, Clément K. Akkermansia muciniphila and improved metabolic health during a dietary intervention in obesity: relationship with gut microbiome richness and ecology. Gut. 2016 Mar;65(3):426-36. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308778.
  • 4
    Xu Y, Wang N, Tan HY, Li S, Zhang C, Feng Y. Function of Akkermansia muciniphila in Obesity: Interactions With Lipid Metabolism, Immune Response and Gut Systems. Front Microbiol. 2020 Feb 21;11:219. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00219.
  • 5
    Sanjiwani MID, Aryadi IPH, Semadi IMS. Review of Literature on Akkermansia muciniphila and its Possible Role in the Etiopathogenesis and Therapy of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc. 2022;37(1):69-74. doi: 10.15605/jafes.037.01.13.
  • 6
    Zheng M, Han R, Yuan Y, Xing Y, Zhang W, Sun Z, Liu Y, Li J, Mao T. The role of Akkermansia muciniphila in inflammatory bowel disease: Current knowledge and perspectives. Front Immunol. 2023 Jan 6;13:1089600. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1089600.
  • 7
    Liu, Y., Liu, Q., Zhang, C., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., Chen, W., & Zhai, Q. (2023). Strain-specific effects of Akkermansia muciniphila on the regulation of intestinal barrier. Food Science and Human Wellness, 12(5), 1526-1537. doi: 10.1016/j.fshw.2023.02.022
  • 8
    Abuqwider JN, Mauriello G, Altamimi M. Akkermansia muciniphila, a New Generation of Beneficial Microbiota in Modulating Obesity: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms. 2021 May 20;9(5):1098. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9051098.
  • 9
    Waters JL, Ley RE. The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health. BMC Biol. 2019 Oct 28;17(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12915-019-0699-4.
  • 10
    Mazier W, Le Corf K, Martinez C, Tudela H, Kissi D, Kropp C, Coubard C, Soto M, Elustondo F, Rawadi G, Claus SP. A New Strain of Christensenella minuta as a Potential Biotherapy for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases. Cells. 2021 Apr 6;10(4):823. doi: 10.3390/cells10040823.
  • 11
    Zou Y, Xue W, Lin X, Hu T, Liu SW, Sun CH, Luo G, Lv M, Dai Y, Kristiansen K, Xiao L. Taxonomic Description and Genome Sequence of Christensenella intestinihominis sp. nov., a Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Bacterium Isolated From Human Gut. Front Microbiol. 2021 Feb 22;12:632361. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.632361
  • 12
    Ramos Meyers G, Samouda H, Bohn T. Short Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism in Relation to Gut Microbiota and Genetic Variability. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 16;14(24):5361. doi: 10.3390/nu14245361.
  • 13
    Kropp, C., Le Corf, K., Relizani, K. et al. The Keystone commensal bacterium Christensenella minuta DSM 22607 displays anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo. Sci Rep 11, 11494 (2021). doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90885-1

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

More from The Gut Health Express