Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about Akkermansia, the science, and how Vekovia works.

What is Akkermansia muciniphila?

Akkermansia muciniphila is a gut bacterium first described in 2004, named for its ability to live on mucin, the protein that makes up the gut's protective mucus lining. It resides in that lining and has become one of the most-studied bacteria in modern microbiome research. In a 2022 review in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, researchers described it as a paradigm for next-generation beneficial microorganisms.

Is Vekovia a probiotic?

No. Our Akkermansia muciniphila is pasteurised, meaning the cells are non-living, so by the ISAPP 2021 definition it is a postbiotic rather than a probiotic. We describe Vekovia as a postbiotic gut supplement. Probiotics, by definition, contain live organisms; ours are deliberately not.

What does "pasteurised" mean, and why use it?

Pasteurisation means the bacterial cells are heat-treated and no longer alive. It is the form studied in the original 2019 human proof-of-concept trial published in Nature Medicine, and the form authorised by the European Union as a Novel Food in 2022. We use it because it is the researched form and offers a stable, consistent capsule.

Is it safe? Are there side effects?

In the 2019 human trial published in Nature Medicine, daily supplementation with the pasteurised form over three months was reported as safe and well-tolerated. We can describe what the research found, but we cannot promise an individual experience. If you have a medical condition or take medication, speak with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

Who should not take it?

Vekovia is not intended for children under 12, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This follows the mandatory conditions of use for pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila under Regulation (EU) 2022/168, as amended by (EU) 2026/391. If in doubt, consult a healthcare professional.

How do I take it?

Take the capsule(s) daily with water, as stated on the pack. It is designed as a simple daily routine. Do not exceed the recommended intake, and keep to the conditions of use printed on the label.

What is the difference between the three products?

All three pair pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila with a different European berry and a different authorised nutrient. Bilberry (the metabolic one) adds chromium; Pomegranate (the longevity one) adds vitamin C; Raspberry (the gut one) adds riboflavin. The berries differ too: bilberry for its anthocyanins, pomegranate for its ellagitannins and the urolithin A pathway, raspberry as a gentle everyday ellagitannin source.

Why pair the bacterium with berries?

Because the research links them. In published studies, berry polyphenols of this class shift the gut microbiota toward Akkermansia, and pomegranate ellagitannins in particular have been shown in research to stimulate its growth in vivo. We pair them because the science points that way, not because berries sound pleasant on a label.

What does the science actually say?

The most prominent human work is a 2019 proof-of-concept trial in Nature Medicine, extended by a larger 2025 trial in Cell Metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. Reviews in 2022 (Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology) and 2025 (Nature Reviews Microbiology) summarise the field. We want to be honest: the human evidence is still early, and we describe what researchers found rather than promising you a result.

Is it legal in the EU?

Yes. Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila was authorised by the European Union as a Novel Food in 2022 under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/168, as amended by (EU) 2026/391. Vekovia is built on that authorised strain.

Where is it made and sourced?

We source the bacterium directly from a Belgian research lab, and the berries from European growers. The Akkermansia and the berries are freeze-dried using the same preservation method developed for long-duration space missions, which keeps everything stable in a capsule without preservatives. Sourced and made in Europe.

Is it vegan?

Yes. Vekovia uses a vegan capsule and contains no animal-derived ingredients. The Akkermansia is grown and pasteurised, the berries are freeze-dried, and no preservatives are added.

What results should I expect?

We describe research; we don't promise you a result. Studies on Akkermansia and on the berry polyphenols are described in our science hub, with each finding attributed to its source. Individual responses to any food supplement vary, and the human evidence in this field is still early.

What are the authorised on-pack claims?

Each product carries one authorised EU nutrient claim tied to its added vitamin or mineral: chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels (Bilberry); vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress (Pomegranate); and riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes (Raspberry). These claims relate to the named nutrient, not to the bacterium.

What about shipping, returns, and subscription?

Vekovia is launching soon. At launch we will ship within the EU, and EU customers have a 14-day right of withdrawal in line with consumer law. Full shipping, returns, and subscription details will be published on the site before we open orders.