Hormonal

Higher baseline abundance of the gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila is associated with improved insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in overweight and obese adults, and predicts greater improvement in glucose homeostasis following calorie restriction.

If you are overweight or obese, your natural gut health, specifically the levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, may determine how effectively a calorie-restricted diet improves your metabolic health. While you cannot directly control this bacteria yet, maintaining a diet rich in fibers and proteins (as used in the study) may support a healthier microbiome ecosystem that favors these beneficial bacteria.