The Key Role of Akkermansia in a Maintaining a Healthy Gut and Weight

Dr. Erin Hendriks • June 4, 2023

The Key Role of Akkermansia in a Maintaining a Healthy Gut and Weight

The gut is home to trillions of microbes that play crucial roles in various bodily functions, including digestion, immune function, and metabolism. Despite being a relatively new discovery, Akkermansia has emerged as a powerful player that holds the key to maintaining a healthy gut and achieving sustainable weight loss.


Akkermansia and Gut Health

A healthy gut is one that maintains a balance between beneficial and harmful microbes, and Akkermansia plays a pivotal role in achieving this. Akkermansia helps to maintain a healthy gut lining, reducing the risks of gut inflammation, gut permeability, and other gut dysfunctions.


Akkermansia and Metabolic Health

Akkermansia has also been linked to numerous metabolic benefits, including weight loss and reduced inflammation. Studies have shown that people with obesity tend to have lower levels of Akkermansia than those with normal weight. 


The anti-inflammatory properties of Akkermansia also make it a powerful ally in metabolic health. Inflammatory substances in the body can interfere with metabolic processes, leading to insulin resistance and weight gain. By reducing inflammation, Akkermansia promotes optimal metabolic health, helping people achieve healthy and sustainable weight loss.


Ways to Boost Akkermansia Levels

Dietary modifications involve cutting down on processed foods, sugar, and trans fats, and consuming food rich in fiber, polyphenols, and other nutrients. Such foods nourish the beneficial gut bacteria, including Akkermansia.


Exercise has also been found to increase Akkermansia levels and improve gut and metabolic health. 


Involve a Functional Medicine Practitioner

As beneficial as Akkermansia may be, it's important to remember that gut health and metabolic health are complex and multifaceted. Achieving optimal health requires a comprehensive approach that involves multiple interventions, including dietary and lifestyle modifications, nutraceutical supplementation, and if necessary, medication.


As such, it's important to involve a functional medicine physician who can develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique health needs. Functional medicine physicians are trained to treat the root cause of health imbalances, rather than merely managing symptoms, and can help you achieve optimal health through a holistic approach.

*AI Disclosure: This content may contain sections generated with AI with the purpose of providing you with condensed helpful and relevant content, however all personal opinions are 100% human made as well as the blog post structure, outline and key takeaways.

* Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on www.elle-md.com may contain affiliate links meaning that we will get a commission for recommending products at no extra cost to you.

*Blog Disclaimer: Please note that reading our blog does not replace any health or medical advice consultation. Read our blog disclaimer here.

Meet the Drs.

Dr. Hendriks and Dr. Castillo MacKenzie are board-certified physicians, female, specialized, with over 10 years of experience.


Elle MD started after practicing in a traditional primary care setting together for over a decade. We grew frustrated with the current healthcare model, which places no emphasis on addressing the root cause of chronic disease. A lot of times, conventional care doesn’t even promote overall wellness! 


We founded Elle MD in Royal Oak, MI, with a vision of providing this care in a compassionate and personalized way. 

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Download your free guide

FREE GUIDE
October 6, 2025
How to Stop Menopause Weight Gain: A Functional Medicine Guide to Getting Your Body Back
October 6, 2025
The best menopause weight loss starts with hormone balance and gut health—discover functional medicine–approved supplements that truly support your body.
October 3, 2025
Perimenopause can bring weight gain, mood changes, and exhaustion. Functional medicine uncovers root causes to help you feel like yourself again
October 3, 2025
Struggling with weight gain, fatigue, or mood swings in midlife? Discover the best menopause doctors in Michigan & how functional medicine gets results.
September 26, 2025
Feeling off but your labs are “normal”? Discover what kind of doctor actually treats hormone imbalance and helps women lose weight and feel better.
September 26, 2025
Discover the signs of hormonal imbalance in women and how it affects weight, energy, mood, and cravings—plus real solutions backed by functional medicine.
September 19, 2025
Wondering how to check your thyroid? Learn how doctors test it, what symptoms to watch for, and how functional medicine digs deeper for lasting relief.
September 19, 2025
Wondering what doctor treats hypothyroidism? Learn the difference between endocrinologists, and functional medicine doctors, and when to seek root-cause care.
September 12, 2025
Struggling with thyroid symptoms and not sure where to turn? Learn what doctor specializes in thyroid care and how to find the right support near you.
September 12, 2025
Struggling with low energy, brain fog, or weight changes? Discover the best thyroid supplements for women, plus which ones to avoid according to a hormone expert.