What Did the Researchers Investigate?
Regaining weight after a period of dieting is a common challenge. In recent years, researchers have been investigating whether the gut microbiome plays a role in regulating body weight.
A research team from the Netherlands set out to investigate whether supplementation with pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila could help people maintain their weight loss.
This bacterium is naturally found in the human gut microbiome and is being studied for its potential role in metabolic health.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The study initially enrolled 90 adults with overweight or obesity.
Participants followed a calorie-restricted diet for eight weeks, aiming to lose at least 8% of their initial body weight.
Of these, 84 achieved the target and were randomly assigned to two groups.
Over the following 24 weeks, one group took a daily supplement containing pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila, while the other received a placebo.
During this period, all participants followed a healthy diet without a prescribed calorie restriction. [1]
What Did the Study Find?
At the end of the 24 weeks, average weight regain was:
- 1.2 kg in the group receiving the bacterial supplement.
- 3.2 kg in the placebo group.
The difference of approximately 2 kg was statistically significant (p = 0.012).
The intervention group also maintained some of the metabolic improvements achieved during the initial weight loss period more effectively.
No serious adverse events were attributed to the supplement. [1]
What Are the Study’s Limitations?
Although this was a randomised clinical trial, the sample size was relatively small, and the intervention lasted only six months.
We therefore do not know whether the benefits persist in the long term or whether the findings can be generalised to different populations.
It is also worth noting that the study was funded by the company that supplied the supplement, and some authors disclosed financial or professional relationships with the company.
Conclusion
The findings provide promising evidence that pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila may help people maintain weight loss.
However, larger, independent clinical trials with longer follow-up periods are needed.
The results do not establish that microbiome-targeted supplements generally cause weight loss or that they can replace established weight management interventions.