Christensenella and Akkermansia: The Future of Gut Health?

Gut health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, influencing digestion, immunity, and even mental function. At the center of this system is the gut microbiota—a diverse community of microorganisms essential for maintaining digestive balance. Among these, two bacterial strains have recently drawn growing scientific interest: Akkermansia and Christensenella.

Akkermansia typically makes up 3–5% of the gut microbiota in healthy individuals and has been linked to improved metabolic function and lower inflammation. Christensenella, meanwhile, contributes to microbiome balance and supports both digestive and metabolic health.

These strains are now the focus of extensive research, offering new insights into how the gut microbiome can be shaped to support long-term health.

Background on Gut Health

The gut microbiota consists of hundreds of species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that inhabit the digestive tract, primarily the colon. These microorganisms play critical roles in breaking down food, producing nutrients, supporting the immune system, and maintaining the gut’s protective barrier [1].

Read more: 8 Best Akkermansia Supplements for Gut Health

A balanced gut microbiome not only aids digestion but also supports overall health in several ways, such as:

• Boosting immune function
• Improving mood and sleep via the gut-brain axis
• Regulating blood sugar and fat metabolism
• Lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease

Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the gut microbiota, can be triggered by poor diet, stress, overuse of medications (especially antibiotics), lack of sleep, or a sedentary lifestyle. This imbalance allows harmful bacteria to thrive, weakening the gut barrier and potentially causing issues such as:

• Bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and gut inflammation
• Increased risk of infection and systemic inflammation
• Immune dysfunction, allergies, and autoimmune conditions
• Negative effects on mood and mental health

As such, a healthy microbiome is foundational to holistic well-being—physically and mentally.

What is Christensenella?

Christensenella minuta is a type of bacteria belonging to the Christensenellaceae family and is considered a promising next-generation probiotic. Naturally residing in the human gut, this bacterium plays an important role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota.

Key Benefits of Christensenella minuta [2]:

• Helps balance the gut microbiome, improving digestion and overall health
• Associated with healthy weight control and lower body mass index (BMI)
• Shows potential in improving metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes

“Preliminary studies suggest that this probiotic strain could have a positive impact on metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, as well as inflammatory bowel disease.”

Christensenella minuta, a new candidate next-generation probiotic: current evidence and future trajectories (Ignatyeva et al., 2024.)

• Has been studied for its potential role in modulating inflammation and supporting gut health in the context of conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
• Oxygen-tolerant, making it suitable for production, storage, and commercial probiotic applications.

Interestingly, this strain is more prevalent in individuals with a family history of a lean body type, suggesting a possible genetic association. Emerging research is exploring its potential role in metabolic regulation and gut microbiome balance.

Currently, Christensenella minuta has been explored in preliminary studies as a potential target for microbiome-modulating interventions.

What is Akkermansia?

Akkermansia muciniphila is an anaerobic, Gram-negative bacterium that lives in the mucus layer lining the intestinal wall of humans and animals. It has the unique ability to degrade mucin and plays a vital role in maintaining the gut’s protective barrier.

Key Benefits of Akkermansia muciniphila:

• Inversely associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity, and diabetes—higher levels are linked to better health outcomes
• May reduce inflammation and modulates immune responses, helping to slow the progression of chronic conditions such as IBD, diabetes, and obesity [3].

“A. muciniphila components and their OMVs may be potential therapeutic targets for IBD”

- Akkermansia muciniphila and Gut Immune System: A Good Friendship That Attenuates Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity, and Diabetes (Rodrigues et al., 2022) [3].

Being studied as a potential probiotic for managing autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly through its effects on the gut immune system.

Human studies are ongoing, with promising early results that point to future clinical applications

Akkermansia muciniphila is now seen as a “gut immune ally” and a rising star in next-generation probiotic development [3].

Christensenella and Akkermansia: Mechanisms of Action

Christensenella minuta supports health through various mechanisms:

It regulates inflammatory responses in the gut and helps maintain microbial balance, and has been studied in relation to digestive discomfort, including IBS-like symptoms. It is also associated with lower BMI and improved metabolism, thanks to its ability to produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and modulate inflammatory markers.

Christensenella can: [4]

• Reduce inflammation (lower IL-8, increase IL-10, inhibit NF-κB)
• Protect the gut barrier (increase tight junction proteins, reduce LPS leakage)
• Improve metabolic functions (lower blood sugar, blood lipids, and produce SCFAs such as acetate and butyrate)

Additionally, it helps regulate the gut microbiota and reduce oxidative stress, has been explored in relation to metabolic imbalances including obesity and glycemic dysregulation in preclinical models.

Akkermansia muciniphila exerts its beneficial effects through three main mechanisms, as described by Mruk-Mazurkiewicz et al. (2024) [5].

1. Enhancing gut barrier integrity
2. Improving metabolic health
3. Regulating the immune system

This bacterium specializes in maintaining and regenerating the gut mucus layer—an essential factor for a strong gut barrier. It breaks down old mucin to stimulate the growth of new mucin, which helps block harmful bacteria and toxins from entering the bloodstream. It also supports insulin sensitivity, fat metabolism, and immune modulation.

Health Benefits of Christensenella and Akkermansia

Christensenella minuta and Akkermansia muciniphila are both promising next-generation probiotics, but they differ significantly in their characteristics and potential applications.

Christensenella is especially noted for its strong association with healthy weight management and lower BMI, making it particularly suitable for individuals struggling with obesity or metabolic disorders. Its oxygen tolerance also gives it an advantage in terms of stability and ease of commercial production for supplements.

“Indeed, Mazier et al. confirmed that C. minuta DSM33407 decreased the obesogenic effects of diet in a mouse model while it improved glycemia and serum leptin levels, inhibited de novo lipogenesis and ameliorated the intestinal barrier integrity.”

- The Role of Next-Generation Probiotics in Obesity and Obesity-Associated Disorders: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives (Vallianou et al., 2023) [6].

On the other hand, Akkermansia muciniphila is better known for its role in strengthening the gut barrier and modulating immune responses, showing promise for people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or autoimmune conditions.

“Overall, the administration of A. muciniphila as an NGP may have a promising future in the treatment of obesity and its related disorders.”

- The Role of Next-Generation Probiotics in Obesity and Obesity-Associated Disorders: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives (Vallianou et al., 2023) [6].

However, due to its anaerobic nature, it is more sensitive and harder to formulate in standard probiotic products.

Sources and Supplementation of Christensenella and Akkermansia

Christensenella is a naturally occurring bacterium found in the human gut. Currently, there are no food sources that directly contain Christensenella, and dietary supplements with this bacterium are still being tested in clinical trials [7].

Akkermansia muciniphila, on the other hand, thrives on foods such as onions, garlic, artichokes, sweet potatoes, bananas, cauliflower, and other vegetables. One way to increase Akkermansia levels is to consume polyphenol-rich foods or practice intermittent fasting, as this bacterium primarily feeds on the body’s mucin rather than food sources [8].

Safety and Side Effects of Christensenella and Akkermansia

The side effects of probiotics, including C. minuta, are generally considered mild and tolerable. The most common effects are bloating and gas, which often occur as the gut microbiome adjusts to the introduction of new bacteria.

In general, probiotics are safe, but caution is advised for individuals with weakened immune systems or those using central venous catheters, as they may be at higher risk for systemic infections [9].

Akkermansia is a probiotic that supports gut health but may cause some side effects such as initial digestive discomfort, including bloating, gas, or abdominal pain when first used.

The main drawback of Akkermansia muciniphila is the lack of extensive clinical research, making its supplementation effects or potential side effects unclear. Although early studies suggest it is likely safe, further clinical trials are needed for confirmation [10].

A usernamed Gina P. shared that using a product containing Akkermansia resulted in rapid and effective relief from bloating. Another user, Diane G., noted that after about a week of use, Akkermansia supplement was easy to take and improved her digestion and bloating symptoms.*

People with compromised immune systems, serious health conditions, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before using these supplements.

Currently, some individuals choose to take products that include both bacteria to optimize gut health and metabolism. However, it's important to choose supplements with transparent origins, and quality assurance.

Before using any supplements containing these two strains, consulting a healthcare provider or nutritionist is recommended to ensure compatibility with personal health status. Opting for well-researched, verified products helps enhance both safety and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Christensenella and Akkermansia are emerging as important gut bacteria in health research, showing promising benefits for metabolism and digestive function. Studies suggest these bacteria not only help balance the gut microbiome but also support metabolic health, particularly in women.

With strong potential in probiotic therapies and dietary interventions, Christensenella and Akkermansia are poised to play a key role in optimizing gut health and reducing the risk of related conditions.