What Is Akkermansia — A Keystone Microbe in Your Gut (An Interview with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe)

What Is Akkermansia — A Keystone Microbe in Your Gut (An Interview with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe)

Author: Dr. Mercola July 26, 2026 Duration: 6:44
  • The composition of your gut microbiome may have an encompassing influence on your health, including metabolic, neurological, and digestive function
  • The diversity of your microbiome varies depending on your diet, age, location, and other factors. Age-related loss of diversity may be a meaningful contributor to age-related changes in function and the onset of chronic conditions
  • In conventional antibiotic treatment, roughly 20% to 30% of Clostridium difficile cases recur after initial therapy, and severe or refractory cases carry meaningful mortality risk. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has been reported in some trials to have cure rates around 80% to 90%
  • Akkermansia muciniphila is among the gut bacteria most studied as a key contributor to microbiome health
  • Reduced integrity of the mucin layer has been associated with what researchers describe as leaky gut syndrome. Akkermansia muciniphila is among the strains most closely studied for its interaction with the mucin layer

Each week, Dr. Joseph Mercola-Take Control of Your Health offers a direct conversation about navigating the often-confusing world of wellness. Dr. Mercola brings decades of experience as a natural health advocate to these discussions, focusing on practical strategies that go beyond conventional approaches. The episodes dig into the interconnected areas of holistic health, physical fitness, and alternative methods for building resilience. You’ll hear detailed explorations of how everyday choices impact long-term vitality, with an emphasis on personal agency and evidence-informed alternatives. This isn’t about quick fixes but about understanding the underlying principles that can help you make better decisions for yourself and your family. The tone is straightforward and investigative, aiming to equip you with knowledge that is frequently overlooked. Tuning into this podcast feels like accessing a deep resource of non-mainstream health perspectives, all centered on the fundamental goal of sustainable well-being. It’s for anyone who feels that managing their health requires looking at the full picture, from nutrition and movement to the less obvious environmental factors. Dr. Mercola’s weekly insights serve as a catalyst for taking a more active, informed role in your own health journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Podcast Episodes
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The Status of Cell-Cultured Meat Regulations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:01
Cell-cultivated meat has already moved beyond the experimental stage, with five products completing federal review — though clearing review, as you'll see, turns out to be very different from reaching your plate The FDA…
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Duration: 6:58
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Why We Started with Your Gut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:40
Story at-a-glance Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that serves as the primary fuel for the cells lining your colon. These cells rely on it for the majority of their energy, making it one of the most important molecul…
Why We Started with Your Gut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:40
Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that serves as the primary fuel for the cells lining your colon. These cells rely on it for the majority of their energy, making it one of the most important molecules for gut health…
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Duration: 6:55
Sunspots usually stay flat and stable over time, while skin cancer often changes shape, color, texture, or sensation as abnormal cells grow and spread Melanoma warning signs follow the ABCDE rule: asymmetry, irregular bo…