Articles

A particular bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK), is responsible for the production of butyrate, the major source of cell energy in the gut. The provision of butyrate completely eradicates measures of metabolic illness in laboratory animals but may only produce a transient effect in humans. The use of other indigestible fibers (bran, pectin, polyphenols) is likely to be the most efficacious. Indigestible starch is another preferential option.