Bursting onto the scene of the probiotic market, we introduce the next generation; Akk Optiblend™, a unique blend of Akkermansia muciniphila and carefully selected prebiotics favoured by this bacteria strain.
The most used probiotic microbes in supplements are:
- Lactobacillus
- Bifidobacteria
- Saccharomyces
- Streptococcus
- Enterococcus
- Escherichia
- Bacillus[i]
So, what makes Akkermansia so special?
A. muciniphila has been identified as a next-generation probiotic or beneficial bacteria that goes beyond the more “traditional” probiotic supplements aimed at supporting gut health.
Next-generation probiotics are expanding our understanding of the interactions between probiotics and the host[ii]. When A.muciniphila is complemented with a carefully selected combination of prebiotics, designed to support the growth and activity of this innovative strain, it can only enhance the reputation of health and wellness companies looking to provide their customers with the latest health-backed supplements.
Here, we introduce Akk OptiBlend™, from Stockk Nutrition, guiding you through the valuable benefits of each ingredient, and why you should be adding it to your product list.
What are next-generation probiotics (NGPs)?
Next-generation probiotics offer a more sophisticated approach to modulating the human gut microbiome to gain health benefits. Their development and even utilisation leverages scientific advancements in microbiology, genetics and biotechnology, to produce promising products that offer both personalisation and effective solutions to support health, both in the gut and beyond.
So, what are they?
The current definition of NGPs is:
“live microorganisms identified on the basis of comparative microbiota analyses that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”[iii]
The more typical, well-publicised probiotics were isolated from the gut or fermented foods, whereas NGPs can be extracted through new scientific methods. That means that beneficial bacteria, that was once difficult to isolate, can now be cultured. Their development offers a promising approach to modulating the gut microbiome.
What’s so important about next-generation probiotics?
Although probiotics are booming and are increasing at a staggering rate, the effectiveness of probiotics is a heavily debated topic. For example, no clinical evidence exists about how effective they are at improving human health, concluding that they have only small effects on the colonic microbiota and disease recovery when they are not targeting a specific condition.
NGPs, on the other hand, may do just that, target specific health conditions and display targeted health benefits. Therefore, NGPs are an emerging and promising class of ‘live biotherapeutics’.
How can I take advantage of next-generation probiotics?
Taking advantage of this advancing area of research is easy if you partner with Stockk Nutrition. We have developed a unique blend of a next-generation probiotic, Akkermansia muciniphila, and five prebiotics to provide additional support for your microbiota, but also contribute to the optimal environment to enable health-boosting probiotics to survive and thrive.
The Akk OptiBlend™ contains:
- Akkermansia muciniphila
- 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL)
- Non-GMO resistant starch
- Organic beetroot powder
- Organic cranberry powder
- Organic pomegranate powder
What is Akkermansia muciniphila?
Akkermansia muciniphila is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that degrades mucin. It is a common and natural inhabitant of the human gut. Its presence is associated with a reduced incidence of obesity, diabetes, inflammation, and other metabolic disorders. Its activities are perhaps most notably related to the prevention of obesity and type II diabetes[iv].
A proof-of-concept study by Depommier et al. (2019) involving 32 overweight or obese insulin-resistant volunteers investigated the safety and tolerability of A. muciniphila in human subjects. The results found that a daily oral supplementation of 1010 A. muciniphila for three months, either in live or pasteurized form, had positive impacts on:
- Insulin sensitivity
- Blood insulin levels
- Total cholesterol
- Liver dysfunction biomarkers
- Inflammation
- Body weight (pasteurized muciniphila)
Overall, although the study showed no changes in the composition of the gut microbiome, it did highlight that A. muciniphila is a safe and well-tolerated probiotic with the capacity to improve several metabolic biomarkers[v].
A. muciniphila is a member of the Verrucomicrobia phylum and is the only member of this group to be found in human faecal samples. In healthy people, A. muciniphila accounts for approximately 3% of the colonic microbiota[vi].
Unlike other probiotics, that rely on prebiotics or fibre for an energy source, A. muciniphila utilises the mucins that make up the mucus layer, protecting the epithelial cells of your gut, as an energy, nitrogen and carbon source[vii].
Health benefits of A. muciniphila
A. muciniphila has been gaining attention because of its many health advantages. It is a natural occupant of a healthy microbiome, playing a crucial role in maintaining health daily. Let’s delve into some of the key benefits this probiotic can offer.
Gut barrier integrity
Because of its unique ability to feed on mucins lining the gut, A. muciniphila helps to strengthen the integrity of the gut barrier by encouraging a continuous production of mucus. A robust gut lining prevents harmful substances like pathogens and food particles from entering the bloodstream, a phenomenon known as a ‘leaky gut’.
A mouse study published in the Journal of Biomedical Science discovered an important link between A.muciniphila and a transcription factor exclusively expressed in the liver and intestine, called CREBH. The bacteria increases the expression of CREBH which lowers metabolic inflammation. The study also demonstrated that an increased abundance of A. muciniphila reduces stress in the intestinal epithelial cells and enhances gut barrier integrity[viii].
Obesity and weight management
Growing evidence shows that A. muciniphila could play an important role in protecting the body from obesity. Research by Zhou et al. (2020) found that obese participants in their study had a lower abundance of A. muciniphila compared to those with a normal body mass index (BMI)[ix]. This was thought to be the first study to show that low levels of Akkermansia were linked to an increased risk of obesity.
Blood sugar regulation
Another metabolic condition this next-generation microbe is believed to benefit is type 2 diabetes. Through its ability to strengthen the gut lining and influence key metabolic pathways, A. muciniphila can help to regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of spikes and crashes, which are characteristic in people with both prediabetes and diabetes[x].
Akkermansia and inflammatory disease
Chronic inflammation is implicated in the development of many conditions, from heart disease to arthritis. However, the anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by A. muciniphila may be key to reducing the level of harmful inflammation in the body. Thus, improving overall quality of life and lessening the risk of developing many chronic illnesses.
Various studies have linked A. muciniphila to protective effects in various inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[xi]. Further animal research has shown that this probiotic, through its ability to boost intestinal integrity and stimulate an anti-inflammatory response from tissues of the bowel, liver, and adipose, can prevent liver injury[xii].
Summary
This research points towards A. muciniphila having huge health potential as a next-generation probiotic. From improving gut health to lowering inflammation, this microbe is likely to be an important ally moving forward.
But Akk OptiBlend™ also contains a complementary blend of prebiotics. Let’s look at what they can offer.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are types of fibre that act as food for health-promoting gut bacteria. They travel to the colon relatively untouched, where they are then fermented or broken down by gut inhabitants, producing metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, vitamins and minerals[xiii].
Prebiotics stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria, bolstering a healthy gut, boosting immune function, and supporting proper digestion. They also have roles in protecting the body from harmful pathogens[xiv] and improving nutrient absorption.
The Akk OptiBlend™ contains 5 prebiotics, 2’- Fucosyllactose, resistant starch and a trio of organic superfood powders.
Human milk oligosaccharides: 2’-FL
2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) is an example of a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) and one of the most abundant oligosaccharides in human milk. HMOs are a natural component of human milk and play an integral part in the development of the early infant microbiome.
A study published in 2020 demonstrated that A. muciniphila feeds on HMOs, including 2’-FL, during the early stages of life, enabling the early survival and colonisation of this important probiotic[xv].
Non-GMO resistant starch
Resistant starch is a carbohydrate that resists digestion and is fermented by colonic bacteria. This process feeds the microbes, positively affecting their abundance and activity[xvi]. Resistant starch lowers the pH in the colon creating the optimum conditions for a healthy microbiota to thrive, reduces inflammation, and could play a vital role in ameliorating the risk of colorectal cancer[xvii].
Organic superfoods: Beetroot, cranberry and pomegranate powders
Organic beetroot, cranberry, and pomegranate powders pack a nutritious punch. These three superfood powders are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds present in plant foods, like fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are hugely advantageous for human health, but the red polyphenols, like those found in beetroot, cranberry, and pomegranate can also feed A.muciniphila colonies. Studies have highlighted how polyphenols, like ellagitannins, can increase the abundance of A.muciniphila in obese mice models[xviii].
Summary
Combining A. muciniphila with a blend of complementary prebiotics enriches the growth and activity of this extraordinary probiotic. Already the list of benefits this mucin-degrading bacteria is growing, and we’re delighted to be able to harness this power to enrich the health and wellness industry.
Contact us today to find out how you can get the Akk OptiBlend™ on your product offering.
Written by: Leanne Edermaniger, MSc. Science Communicator.
Sources
[i] Office of dietary supplements - probiotics [Internet]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; [cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/
[ii] Zhang H, Duan Y, Cai F, Cao D, Wang L, Qiao Z, Hong Q, Li N, Zheng Y, Su M, Liu Z, Zhu B. Next-Generation Probiotics: Microflora Intervention to Human Diseases. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Nov 16;2022:5633403. doi: 10.1155/2022/5633403. PMID: 36440358; PMCID: PMC9683952.
[iii] Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka K, Skonieczna-Żydecka K, Hupp T, Duchnowska R, Marek-Trzonkowska N, Połom K. Next-generation probiotics - do they open new therapeutic strategies for cancer patients? Gut Microbes. 2022 Jan-Dec;14(1):2035659. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2035659. PMID: 35167406; PMCID: PMC8855854.
[iv] Zhou K. Strategies to promote abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, an emerging probiotics in the gut, evidence from dietary intervention studies. J Funct Foods. 2017 Jun;33:194-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2017.03.045. Epub 2017 Mar 29. PMID: 30416539; PMCID: PMC6223323.
[v] Depommier, C., Everard, A., Druart, C. et al. Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study. Nat Med 25, 1096–1103 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0495-2
[vi] 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. PMID: 30041463; PMCID: PMC6163243.
[vii] Naito Y, Uchiyama K, Takagi T. A next-generation beneficial microbe: Akkermansia muciniphila. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2018 Jul;63(1):33-35. doi: 10.3164/jcbn.18-57. Epub 2018 Jun 20. PMID: 30087541; PMCID: PMC6064808.
[viii] Wade, H., Pan, K., Duan, Q. et al. Akkermansia muciniphila and its membrane protein ameliorates intestinal inflammatory stress and promotes epithelial wound healing via CREBH and miR-143/145. J Biomed Sci 30, 38 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-023-00935-1
[ix] Zhou, Q., Zhang, Y., Wang, X. et al. Gut bacteria Akkermansia is associated with reduced risk of obesity: evidence from the American Gut Project. Nutr Metab (Lond) 17, 90 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-020-00516-1
[x] Li J, Yang G, Zhang Q, Liu Z, Jiang X, Xin Y. Function of Akkermansia muciniphila in type 2 diabetes and related diseases. Front Microbiol. 2023 Jun 15;14:1172400. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1172400. PMID: 37396381; PMCID: PMC10310354.
[xi] 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. PMID: 36685588; PMCID: PMC9853388.
[xii] Raftar, S.K.A., Ashrafian, F., Abdollahiyan, S. et al. The anti-inflammatory effects of Akkermansia muciniphila and its derivates in HFD/CCL4-induced murine model of liver injury. Sci Rep 12, 2453 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06414-1
[xiii] Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, Seifan M, Mohkam M, Masoumi SJ, Berenjian A, Ghasemi Y. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92. doi: 10.3390/foods8030092. PMID: 30857316; PMCID: PMC6463098.
[xiv] El-Hawiet A, Kitova EN, Kitov PI, Eugenio L, Ng KK, Mulvey GL, Dingle TC, Szpacenko A, Armstrong GD, Klassen JS. Binding of Clostridium difficile toxins to human milk oligosaccharides. Glycobiology. 2011 Sep;21(9):1217-27. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwr055. Epub 2011 May 24. PMID: 21610194.
[xv] Kostopoulos, I., Elzinga, J., Ottman, N. et al. Akkermansia muciniphila uses human milk oligosaccharides to thrive in the early life conditions in vitro. Sci Rep 10, 14330 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71113-8
[xvi] Topping DL, Fukushima M, Bird AR. Resistant starch as a prebiotic and synbiotic: state of the art. Proc Nutr Soc. 2003 Feb;62(1):171-6. doi: 10.1079/pns2002224. PMID: 12749342.
[xvii] Hylla S, Gostner A, Dusel G, Anger H, Bartram HP, Christl SU, Kasper H, Scheppach W. Effects of resistant starch on the colon in healthy volunteers: possible implications for cancer prevention. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Jan;67(1):136-42. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/67.1.136. PMID: 9440388.
[xviii] Yue C, Chu C, Zhao J, Zhang H, Chen W, Zhai Q. Dietary strategies to promote the abundance of intestinal akkermansia muciniphila, a focus on the effect of plant extracts. Journal of Functional Foods. 2022 Jun;93:105093. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2022.105093