Scientists identify gut microbe that may help prevent weight regain after dieting

A gut microbe may help prevent weight regain after dieting, according to a Nature Medicine study identifying Akkermansia muciniphila as a key microbiome player. This bacterium, abundant in the mucus layer of the gut, feeds on mucin and has been linked to better metabolic health and blood sugar control. In the trial, 90 adults who were overweight or obese followed an eight-week low-energy diet (800-900 calories per day). Those who lost at least 8% of body weight were randomized to receive pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila or placebo for 24 weeks, alongside a Dutch dietary guidance framework. The pasteurized product, not live bacteria, may act through microbial components to confer benefits. By the end, the treated group regained significantly less weight than placebo, suggesting microbiome-based strategies could support long-term weight maintenance, though exact figures were not disclosed in the report. The findings contribute to a growing interest in microbiome interventions to complement diet and exercise in obesity management.