Intestinal Bacterium Akkermansia Curbs Obesity

"A dominant and useful bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila is present in the intestinal system of all humans, from babies to the elderly. This microorganism is found in the intestinal mucus layer that protects against intruders. Even more remarkable is that this bacterium has a favourable effect on the disrupted metabolism associated with obesity."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130515113744.htm


The bacterium is naturally present in the human digestive tract at 3-5%, but has been seen to fall with obesity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkermansia



There also seems to be a link between low counts of Akkermansia and children with autism...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3187122/
Tweet