Secret to weight loss may be hiding in your gut, new study suggests
A specific gut microbe could help with long-term weight-loss goals.
New research published in the journal Nature Medicine tested whether a pasteurized (not live) gut bacterium, called Akkermansia muciniphila MucT, could help people keep weight off after losing it.
The study enrolled 90 overweight and obese adults from the Netherlands in an eight-week, low-energy diet where they were instructed to lose 8% of their body weight, according to a press release.
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The participants then started a 24-week weight-maintenance phase and were randomly assigned to take either the gut bacterium or a placebo.
People taking Akkermansia regained less weight than those taking the placebo, at an average of 2.6 pounds versus 7.1 pounds — a statistically significant difference, according to the study results.
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The researchers noted that the efficacy of the treatment depends on a person’s existing gut microbiome. There were no serious adverse events reported.
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The study’s short duration and small sample size may not be enough to prove long-term benefits, the team noted. Another limitation is that participants ate whatever they wanted instead of following a standardized diet.
Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, a hormone and weight loss specialist practicing in New York and New Jersey, called this a "well-designed" trial.
"The finding that a single gut microbe, pasteurized Akkermansia, significantly reduced weight regain is particularly compelling," the expert, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. "Most probiotics have demonstrated far less efficacy, making these results especially noteworthy."
Balazs pointed out that pasteurized Akkermansia isn’t a live probiotic, but works through "components of the bacteria, particularly a protein called Amuc_1100."
"This protein helps strengthen the gut barrier, reduce low-grade inflammation and support healthy metabolic function," he said. "After weight loss, the body naturally tries to regain fat, but Akkermansia appears to help quiet some of those biological signals, making it easier to maintain results over time."
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While the study results are promising, the doctor cautioned that Akkermansia is not a miracle pill.
"It helps with maintenance, not initial loss," he said. "Long-term use is plausible; however, it hasn't been proven beyond 24 weeks. This does not replace diet, exercise or medical advice."