Ali Rıza Akın
In the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes we feel like hitting rock bottom, don't we? You wake up in the morning, but that spark inside you is missing, little things annoy you, a constant fatigue and melancholy settle upon you. In the past, they used to say "Your serotonin levels are low in your brain," prescribe a pill, and it would pass. But in recent years, science has revealed a completely different truth: Depression, anxiety, even that mental fog often lie not in our heads but deep in our bellies. The trillions of bacteria in our intestines are constantly communicating with our brains – we call this the gut-brain axis. And the brightest star of this axis is Akkermansia muciniphila. Beyond weight control, a secret hero that improves our mood.
Imagine, the tiny creatures in your stomach directly affect your happiness. When I first heard it, I didn't believe it either: "So, are bacteria making me sad?" But the research is clear: Depressed patients have 50% lower Akkermansia in their intestines compared to healthy individuals. Let's talk openly about this, support it with scientific evidence, and provide practical recommendations. In the end, you will say, "Let me take care of my gut so my brain can heal."
What is Akkermansia, and Why Does It Affect Our Mood So Much?
Akkermansia muciniphila is a special bacterium living in the mucus layer of our colon (that gel-like protective cover). It takes its name from there: "Mucus lover." While other probiotics feed on yogurt, fibrous vegetables, it directly eats the old mucus on the intestinal wall and encourages the production of new mucus. It's like a gardener: pruning, watering, keeping the intestinal barrier shiny, fortress-like.
So what's its connection to depression? Our intestines produce 95% of our body's serotonin (the happiness hormone). Akkermansia protects this factory. In depression, the intestinal wall thins, toxins (endotoxins called LPS) leak into the blood, reach the brain, and cause an inflammatory storm there. The defense cells in your brain (microglia) work excessively, your motivation is reset, you can't enjoy things (anhedonia). When Akkermansia comes into play, the chain breaks: It strengthens the barrier, extinguishes inflammation, accelerates serotonin production.
Scientific Evidence: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2023): Akkermansia is low in major depression patients; supplementation improves symptoms. Read: Frontiers - Akkermansia and Neuropsychiatry.
PMC Study (2023, PMC10861622): Akkermansia corrected depression-like behaviors in mice. PMC - Akkermansia Improves Depression.
From Intestinal Leakage to Brain Inflammation: Silent Danger
The most critical part is leaky gut – a permeable intestine. When the wall weakens, LPS toxins enter the bloodstream, breach the blood-brain barrier, ignite microglia. Result: Neuroinflammation, mental fog, constant anxiety. Akkermansia thickens the mucus layer, preventing leakage by 70%, keeping toxins out.
Factors like stress and alcohol accelerate this cycle. In studies, stressed mice given Akkermansia showed reduced brain inflammation and improved behaviors. Low Akkermansia in humans means a high risk of depression.
Scientific Evidence: Frontiers in Immunology (2017): Leaky gut disrupts mental health, Akkermansia repairs the barrier. Frontiers - Leaky Gut and Mental Health.
PMC (2024, PMC11438137): Akkermansia corrected cognitive dysfunction. PMC - Akkermansia and Cognitive Improvement.
Serotonin, Dopamine, and BDNF: The Happiness Production Line
It increases serotonin synthesis (releasing it into the blood by suppressing the SERT carrier), supports the dopamine reward system. The most striking is BDNF – Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, the brain's fertilizer. It generates new neurons, increases plasticity. In depression, BDNF is 30% lower; Akkermansia raises it.
Even in liver damage models, cognitive functions have been restored. In the long run, it prevents anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline.
Scientific Evidence: Molecular Metabolism (2021): Akkermansia improves brain functions. ScienceDirect - Akkermansia and the Brain.
PMC (PMC12606656): Akkermansia successful in mouse depression models. PMC - Akkermansia in Mouse Depression.
Practical Strategies: Wake Up Your Akkermansia, Revitalize Your Mood
You say, "Theory is fine, but what about practice?" Good news: You can't buy yogurt from the market, but you can multiply it by nourishing it. A 4-week plan:
- Polyphenol bombardment: Cocoa (unsweetened dark), blueberries, pomegranate, black elderberry. Add to your morning smoothie – also supports dopamine.
- Prebiotic fibers: Chicory tea, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic, asparagus. Renewing mucus.
- Omega-3 power: Salmon, walnuts, fish oil. Increases Akkermansia, reduces brain inflammation by 25%.
- Stress management: Cortisol melts mucus. 10 mins of meditation, 7-8 hours of sleep, walking.
- Intermittent fasting: Start at 14:10 – Akkermansia thrives, triggers brain autophagy.
Scientific Evidence: Scientific Reports (2017): Omega-3 alters the microbiota in favor of Akkermansia. Nature - Omega-3 and Microbiota.
Like my friend Ayşe: 2 years on antidepressants, fatigue wouldn't go away. Intestinal test showed low Akkermansia. With polyphenols + omega-3, energy burst in 6 weeks, reduced medication dose.
Ali Rıza Akın and Next Microbiome: Pioneers in Microbiota Science
Traditional antidepressants or symptom-focused treatments often provide temporary relief, not touching the root cause – the gut microbiota. This is where pioneering scientists like Ali Rıza Akın step in. A Turkish scientist conducting deep research in the field of microbiota for over 25 years in Silicon Valley, Akın is a globally recognized expert, especially on the Verrucomicrobia phylum (Akkermansia's family). With the patented SIMS (Stool inVivo Mimicking System) technology, he simulates the intestinal environment in the lab, transforming the therapeutic effects of Akkermansia into the most effective formulas.
Next Microbiome, founded by Akın, is an innovative company operating in Malta, Turkey, the USA, and Italy. Operating with the philosophy "Live as much as your bacteria," this team develops next-generation solutions surpassing traditional probiotics. If you are curious about their main products beneficial for depression and mood problems, here are the details:
Probiome-NOVO
A powerful combination of pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila and specially selected probiotic strains. This formula primarily repairs the intestinal barrier, renewing the mucus layer to reduce systemic inflammation. As a result, it naturally establishes the balance of serotonin and GLP-1 – directly supporting issues like fatigue due to depression, loss of motivation, and mental fog. It is safe and well-tolerated for daily use.
Boost Synergy GLP-1
An Akkermansia-based GLP-1 enhancing formula. By stimulating the L cells in the intestines, it naturally induces the body to release its own GLP-1 hormone. Thus, it balances cortisol due to stress, increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels, and optimizes brain signals by producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Beyond appetite control, it offers effective support in mood fluctuations and chronic stress management.
If you're curious about their scientific foundations:
Ali Rıza Akın's detailed sharing on GLP-1 supported probiotics: Why Are GLP-1 Supported Probiotics Important?
Frequently asked questions about Akkermansia: Akkermansia FAQs
If you want to try: You can explore Next Microbiome products on the official website and check out Ali Rıza Akın's platform for personalized microbiota tests at Ali Rıza Akın's platform. An ideal starting point for those seeking science-based, clinically supported solutions.
Long-Term Benefits and Real Life
Healthy Akkermansia slows down brain aging, keeping the mind young with new neurons. When you're happy, your activity increases, and a weight bonus comes. The vicious cycle is broken.
Final Words: Make Peace with Your Gut, Meet Your Mind
Depression is not a weakness of will, it's a biological signal. Akkermansia silences it. Eat polyphenols, fight stress, support with Next Microbiome. Start with dark chocolate today, feel refreshed tomorrow.
Healthy gut = happy brain.
