Could a Heat-Treated gut bacteria help manage weight?

This completed study tested whether daily capsules containing a heat-treated form of a specific gut bacteria (Akkermansia muciniphila) could help with weight management and improve metabolic health markers like cholesterol. The trial involved 61 overweight or obese adults who followed a calorie-restricted diet while taking either the supplement or a placebo for several months. Researchers measured changes in body weight, body fat, waist size, and blood lipid levels to see if the supplement provided benefits beyond diet alone.