Tag: Mucin

First discovered in 2004, Akkermansia muciniphila is a key bacterium naturally residing in the human gut, accounting for 1-5% of the total microbial community in healthy adults. The question of where this beneficial microorganism originates is crucial for understanding its role in early life development and long-term gut health.

Despite popular misconception, mucus is not rich in protein by volume, consisting of over 90% water. However, the small percentage of solids it does contain includes vital proteins, most notably mucins, which are crucial for its protective and immunological functions.

According to numerous human and animal studies, intermittent fasting can significantly increase the population of the beneficial gut bacterium, *Akkermansia muciniphila*. This occurs because fasting periods, particularly time-restricted feeding, create an environment where certain bacteria, including *Akkermansia*, thrive while others decline.

Scientific studies, particularly in animal models, have repeatedly shown that berberine treatment significantly increases the abundance of *Akkermansia* species, often by over 100-fold. This effect is not a direct promotion of bacterial growth but an indirect one, leveraging the plant compound's unique mechanisms within the gut.