Let’s Talk Akkermansia: A Tiny Helper for Big Gut Health

In today’s podcast, I chat about how gut health plays a powerful role in our overall well-being—from digestion to immunity and even how we respond to certain treatments. In this special members video, we talk about one of the lesser-known—but mighty—microbes in our gut: Akkermansia muciniphila.

These conversational vodcasts are available to the Kitchen Pioneers who have joined my YouTube membership community—The Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy.

At A Glance: Akkermansia Muciniphila and Its Role in Gut Health

• Akkermansia muciniphila is a beneficial gut bacteria that helps keep your gut lining strong and supports a healthy immune response.
• New research suggests it may even enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, especially in non-small cell lung cancer.
• It works by boosting T cell activity, modulating immune signals, and supporting treatment responses.
• You can naturally support Akkermansia by eating fiber-rich vegetables, berries, green tea, cocoa, olive oil, fermented foods, properly prepared whole grains, and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids—and by avoiding ultra-processed foods.
• Even if you’re not undergoing treatment, caring for your gut with nourishing, traditional foods can help this helpful microbe—and your whole body—thrive.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional. If you are not feeling well, please seek professional medical attention and medicine. And if you are thinking of supplementing your treatment with home remedies, be sure to talk to your medical professional about them. It’s important that you get the medicine and treatments you need to get back to good health.

• Mary’s Nest Website Disclaimer Text

What Is Akkermansia Muciniphila?

Akkermansia (pronounced ack-er-MAN-see-uh) muciniphila is a naturally occurring bacterium that lives in the mucus layer of the gut. It’s been getting a lot of attention lately because of its unique role in gut lining health and immune regulation.

While it might not be a household name just yet, Akkermansia is actually quite common in healthy individuals—and may be quietly doing a lot of good behind the scenes.

Why Are Researchers So Interested in Akkermansia Muciniphila?

Recent studies have shown that Akkermansia may play an important role in how well the body responds to immunotherapy—a cancer treatment that uses the immune system to target cancer cells. This is especially exciting for those undergoing treatment for cancers like non-small cell lung cancer.

Here’s what the research is showing:

• Enhanced immune activity: Akkermansia may help stimulate T cells, which are crucial immune cells that seek out and attack harmful invaders like cancer cells.
• Modulating immune pathways: It appears to help fine-tune the body’s immune signals so that responses are more effective.
• Boosting treatment response: It may improve the success of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a kind of immunotherapy that teaches the immune system to “see” cancer cells more clearly.

In simple terms, Akkermansia might help the immune system do its job better—especially when cancer treatments are involved.

Here’s The Science Behind Akkermansia

If you’re curious about the science behind Akkermansia and its potential role in cancer treatment and overall health, here are the studies I mentioned in my member video:

• Akkermansia muciniphila and Immunotherapy – National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Gut Microbiota and Cancer Therapy Response – PubMed (2023)

These articles are a bit more technical but fascinating if you like diving deeper into how our bodies work.

What Does The Akkermansia Research Mean for Everyday Health?

Even if you’re not facing cancer or undergoing treatment, having healthy levels of Akkermansia could still benefit you. This little bacterium helps:

• Strengthen the gut lining
• Reduce inflammation
• Balance the immune system

How to Support Akkermansia Naturally

Thankfully, you don’t need supplements to support this helpful gut microbe. Traditional, nourishing foods go a long way in keeping Akkermansia happy and thriving, so think of these foods when stocking your Four Corners Pantry.

🧅 Prebiotic-Rich Vegetables

These feed the good bacteria in your gut—especially Akkermansia:

• Raw garlic
• Raw or lightly cooked onions
• Leeks
• Asparagus
• Jerusalem artichokes
• Dandelion greens

🍓 Feed it Foods Rich in Polyphenols

Akkermansia loves prebiotic fibers found in foods like raw garlic, onions, leeks, and asparagus. It also thrives on polyphenols, those lovely plant compounds found in:

• Berries
• Green tea
• Cocoa (yes, real chocolate!)
• Red grapes
• Cranberries

🥬 Enjoy Fermented Foods Including Cultured Dairy

Homemade fermented foods, including cultured dairy, help maintain a healthy gut balance and create a welcoming environment for Akkermansia to thrive:

• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Kefir (whole milk or water-based)
• Whole Milk Yogurt (with live cultures)
• Miso (in warm, not boiling, broth)

🌾 Whole Grains (Prepared Properly)

Akkermansia thrives on certain types of dietary fiber, particularly mucins and prebiotics. When soaked, sprouted, or fermented, whole grains can provide gentle, fermentable fibers (like β-glucans and arabinoxylans) that support a diverse and resilient gut microbiome, including Akkermansia.

Some of the best traditional whole grains include:

• Oats
• Barley
• Millet
• Buckwheat
• Rye

🫒 Use Monounsaturated Fats

These are gentle, anti-inflammatory fats that support overall gut health—and Akkermansia seems to do well when they’re part of the diet:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Avocados
• Macadamia nuts

🐟 Eat Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These traditional fats are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and may help increase Akkermansia levels:

• Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel
• Chia seeds and flaxseeds
• Walnuts

🥣 Avoid what harms the gut

Highly processed foods, excess sugar, and artificial additives can weaken your gut lining, reducing Akkermansia’s ability to do its job. Focus on simple, homemade meals whenever possible—your whole body will thank you.

Final Thoughts

It’s amazing to think that something so tiny—something we can’t even see—might be playing a mighty role in our health. Supporting our gut with traditional foods helps welcome in good companions like Akkermansia. Whether you’re enjoying a cozy meal or sipping something nourishing, you’re caring for your body in powerful ways.

Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy

My comprehensive vodcasts are exclusively available to members of the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy, who we call Kitchen Pioneers. You can learn more about my optional YouTube membership community, including members-only videos and exclusive perks.

This membership community is optional. I’m still publishing my detailed instructional cooking videos on my public YouTube channel that you can watch for free. (Thanks so much for being a Sweet Friend and subscriber!)

Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy

As a Kitchen Pioneer member, your YouTube video comments include a special badge next to your YouTube username. You’re always welcome to post questions and comments on my videos, and I’m happy to reply.

Catch up on some of the videos in our membership community that you may not have seen:

• Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy video playlist (Optional Membership Community)

Kitchen Academy Videos

See all →

How to Eat a Mediterranean Diet with a Keto Twist

Explore a Mediterranean-Keto twist with a full sample menu focused on healthy fats, quality proteins, and low-carb veggies.

Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy 2025 Member Update

I chat about what’s in store for my Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy in 2025.

Baking with Ancient Grains in the Traditional Foods Kitchen

Bake with Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt—nutritious ancient grains that bring rich flavor and tradition to your favorite recipes.

Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest

1. Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
2. Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free 36-page eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.
3. Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy - For more detailed videos and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.
4. Order The Modern Pioneer Cookbook - Get a hardcover book of Mary's nourishing recipes from a Traditional Foods Kitchen. This bestselling cookbook is published by Penguin Random House with their DK imprint.
5. Preorder The Modern Pioneer Pantry - Be one of the first to get Mary's hardcover book about preserving food and making delicious meals from your Four Corners Pantry. Mary's second cookbook is also published by Penguin Random House.

I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

---

Shop for items used in this blog post or video

Favorite Kitchen Supplies

• Favorite Aprons
• Spice Grinder
• Countertop Burner (On my kitchen island in many recipe videos.)
• Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
• Vacuum Lids
• Whisk
• Silica Gel Packets (Helps keep moisture from building up in your mix)
• Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
• Fat Separator (Clever kitchen device to help you decant bone broth)
• Flour Sack Towels
• pH Strips (Helps you check on the acidity of your vinegar)

Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide

• Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
• Visit my Shopping Guide page
  Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman's, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!

Recommended Reading

• The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
• The Modern Pioneer Pantry
• Nourishing Traditions