This mucus-loving gut bacterium is important for health—here's how to keep it happy (Soluble fiber)

The microbial community living within our large intestine is a highly dense and complex ecosystem. While some of these microbes cause illness and disease (such as bacteria and viruses), others are friendlier to us and help keep us in good health.

One of the important roles it plays in our gut is maintaining the function of our gut barrier. But when there's an imbalance of A. muciniphila in the gut, it can lead to problems with our health.

This unusual bacteria lives in our large intestine and survives off of mucin—the layer of mucus that covers the large intestine's surface.

Studies looking at A. muciniphila's interaction with the immune system in mice have revealed that it calms the immune system down and may prevent obesity and diabetes from developing.

Researchers have also found that people who have a metabolic disease, such as diabetes or fatty liver disease, have fewer A. muciniphila in their large intestine. The more lean and athletic you are, the more A. muciniphila you have.

Colon-dwelling bacteria such as A. muciniphila use the carbohydrates they extract from the fiber-rich foods in our diet as fuel. In return, they produce substances called short-chain fatty acids. These compounds feed the top layer of human cells in the colon.

A. muciniphila also supports other bacterial species in the microbiome by giving them broken-up mucus so they can survive. But, if we don't eat enough fiber as part of our diet, mucins become a much more heavily used source of nutrition.

The more researchers learn about A. muciniphila and the other microbes that live in the colon, the more we understand the importance of eating a variable, high-fiber diet.

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All due respect, here's the problem with your post:

Perhaps 75% or more of those reading this, including me - likely closer to >90% - have had their microbiomes decimated by antibiotics at some point in their lives.

In our current culture - even though the article doesn't promote it or, for that matter, lead any discussion whatsoever about the LACK of the bacterium - the natural tendency would be to seek a supplement.

There's a reason why A. muciniphila is not included in nearly all OTC probiotics, and the explanation is cut from the article below:

This can lead to the depletion of the large intestine's mucus layer—throwing the microbiome's delicate ecosystem out of balance. This increases the chance of developing inflammatory diseases. So, although A. muciniphila is not a pathogen, it can remove too much mucus under the wrong conditions.

Translated: Supplementing improperly with A. muciniphila has the potential to damage your gut. BADLY, and lead to a cavalcade of impaired health symptoms. That's without any warnings on the bottle WHATSOEVER. Go look for yourselves. Hence my post.

Yes, fiber is helpful to a 'healthy' gut, but if anyone reading this has any gut symptoms whatsoever, don't go diagnosing yourselves via medxpress, even for a change of diet: Consult a Naturopath.

Fair, FRiendly warning.

This may elaborate to those who may be confused. The potential for complications is real.

https://biologyinsights.com/akkermansia-side-effects-discomfort-microbial-shifts-and-more/

After reading, it should become clear why I suggest consulting with a knowledgeable Naturopath for gut issues (mds don’t know richard).

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