Ozempic, Obesity, and the Marvels of Microbes

By Mary Ruddick

@maryqueenofheart

Ah, my little microbes, my magical microbes, my ever-transforming wonders—let's embark on a journey through your innards, where the real magic happens, far beyond the shallow promises of those Hollywood shortcuts like Ozempic. I see you, clinging to peptides and hoping for miracles in a needle, but let's get to the juicy core of it all: your gut's most fascinating inhabitant, Akkermansia muciniphila MucT.

Now, what is this Akkermansia, you ask? Picture this: a microscopic custodian feasting on mucin, the protein that forms the precious mucus lining of your intestines. This little gourmand is key to enhancing your gut barrier function and cranking up the production of GLP-1, that lovely hormone everyone’s obsessed with for blood sugar control, appetite regulation, and fat metabolism. Yes, that’s right—Ozempic is just mimicking what Akkermansia naturally boosts, but only if you’ve cultivated it in your gut garden.

But wait, my little microbes, Akkermansia doesn't stop there. While Ozempic focuses narrowly on blood sugar, Akkermansia takes it to the next level, ensuring your body can efficiently absorb those fat-soluble vitamins, like A and D, that are essential for everything from vision to immune function. And let’s not forget its anti-inflammatory and anticancer superpowers—because why stop at just one benefit when you can have a full suite?

Akkermansia is often MIA in the microbiomes of my clients with nervous system disorders. Coincidence? I think not. Fat-soluble vitamins like A and D are crucial for nerve health, and if Akkermansia is absent, you’re missing out on this VIP access to essential nutrients. And, oh yes, those dealing with SIBO? They frequently lack Akkermansia, which is no shocker, considering this microbe’s prolific production of butyric acid.

Now, butyrate, my little microbes, is the unsung hero—the Mary Poppins' bag of your body's biochemistry, pulling out just the right trick at the perfect moment. Let me break it down for you.

 Butyrate: Your Body’s Multi-Tasking Maestro

Colon Cancer Prevention: Butyrate promotes apoptosis, the fancy science term for programmed cell death, targeting cancerous cells in the colon like a heat-seeking missile. It’s your natural defense against colon cancer.

Gut Inflammation: In case you hadn’t heard, butyrate reduces inflammation throughout the digestive tract, which is a godsend for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Think of it as a cooling balm on an inflamed gut.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Butyrate knows how to keep the peace in the gut neighborhood. It regulates the environment, discouraging harmful bacteria from overpopulating and causing havoc. It’s like having a vigilant bouncer at the door to your digestive nightclub.

Now, let’s see how higher levels of butyrate really shine in keeping SIBO at bay:

• Strengthening the Gut Barrier: Nourishing colon cells, butyrate reinforces the integrity of the gut lining, making sure harmful bacteria don’t sneak into the small intestine.

• Reducing Inflammation: By lowering gut inflammation, butyrate creates an environment that's inhospitable for bacterial overgrowth.

• Promoting Gut Motility: It keeps things moving, preventing bacterial stagnation, a key factor in SIBO.

• Direct Antimicrobial Action: Butyrate lowers gut pH, suppressing harmful bacteria while rolling out the red carpet for beneficial ones.

• Modulating Immune Function: By promoting regulatory T cells, butyrate balances the immune response, reducing excessive inflammation that can exacerbate SIBO.

• Boosting Defenses: It ramps up the production of natural antimicrobial peptides, keeping the microbial population in check.

 When Akkermansia Goes Missing: The Fallout

Ah, but what happens when Akkermansia is nowhere to be found? My ever-transforming microbes, brace yourselves—it's not pretty. When this microbial superhero is missing, a range of conditions can rear their ugly heads:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Those suffering from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis often show a deficiency in Akkermansia, which only fans the flames of gut inflammation.

• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Low levels of Akkermansia are consistently found in those with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure.

• Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are linked to lower levels of Akkermansia, possibly contributing to systemic inflammation.

• Cardiovascular Diseases: Reduced Akkermansia has been associated with higher cholesterol levels and increased cardiovascular risks.

And here's a kicker that might surprise you, my little microbes: even your genes aren’t off the hook. When Akkermansia is gone, genes like BRCA1, MTHFR, and COMT can decide to make their grand entrance, with all the drama and implications that come with them.

 The Real Villains: What Kills Akkermansia?

Now, let’s talk about the enemies of our gut hero, Akkermansia:

• Antibiotics (oral and IV): Broad-spectrum antibiotics can decimate Akkermansia populations, sometimes requiring months, if not years, to recover.

• Chronic Stress: High cortisol levels, a side effect of our ever-stressful, modern lives, can create a hostile environment for Akkermansia. The relentless grind, my little microbes, is wreaking havoc on your internal ecosystems!

 Feeding Your Akkermansia: What’s on the Menu?

To keep Akkermansia thriving, you need to think of it like a beloved pet—one that you want to keep around for all its fabulous benefits. Here’s how to nourish this microbial superstar:

• Polyphenols: Reach for matcha, green tea, cranberries, and pomegranates—these are all fantastic for supporting Akkermansia growth.

• Prebiotics: Feed it colostrum, inulin, garlic, onions, and leeks. All of these help it flourish and do its best work in your gut.

 Don’t forget, Akkermansia loves a home rich in mucus. Yes, that’s right—a gut with a healthy mucus layer is ideal, and high-fat dairy products can help keep this home cozy and well-supplied.

 How to Take Akkermansia: The Practical Guide

Now, my magical microbes, if you’re ready to embrace Akkermansia, here’s the scoop:

- Timing: Best taken on an empty stomach.

- Frequency: Daily is ideal, spread throughout the day—morning, noon, and night.

- Duration: At least six months to see sustained benefits.

- Probiotic Interactions: Avoid taking it with Lactobacillus or Bacteroides strains. These should be taken at different times of the day.

So, while Ozempic may offer a tempting shortcut, Akkermansia muciniphila promises long-term benefits, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep you healthy, vibrant, and balanced. Put your feet up, my little microbes, sip some matcha, and relish in the wisdom of the microbial world that lies within you.

Because the real magic is happening right there, in your gut.