What is Akkermansia and how does it work? Named after its preferred energy source, Akkermansia muciniphila feeds on mucin, a glycoprotein that regulates the thickness of our gut’s intestinal mucosal layer (6). As a byproduct of munching on mucin, Akkermansia produces propionate and acetate, two short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that feed other beneficial gut bacteria to make butyrate, a SCFA and vital energy source for mucus-secreting goblet cells and intestinal epithelial cells. Scientists call this cross-feeding. SCFAs strengthen tight junctions (the glue that holds our intestinal cells together) and prevent unwanted materials from passing through and into circulation. Think of your gut lining as a coffee filter, it lets the good stuff (coffee) in and keeps the bad stuff (coffee grinds) out. Here, the “bad stuff” represents allergens, endotoxins, fecal matter, and food particles, and the “good stuff” represents macro and micronutrients from real whole...