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, that lives on mucin, the protein making 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. A 2022 review in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology 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 the European Union authorised as a Novel Food in 2022. We use it because it is the researched form and because it gives a stable, consistent capsule.

Is it safe? Are there side effects?

Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila was reported as safe and well tolerated in the 2019 human trial published in Nature Medicine, where volunteers took it daily for three months. We can tell you what that research found. We cannot promise you 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. Do not exceed the recommended intake, and keep to the conditions of use printed on the label.

Can I take it alongside other supplements or medication?

Ask your doctor or pharmacist first if you take prescription medication or have a diagnosed condition. Vekovia is a food supplement rather than a medicine, and we make no claims about how it behaves alongside other supplements or medicines. It is also not intended for children under 12, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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, and 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 to stimulate its growth in vivo.

What does the science actually say?

Four human trials exist, and they are small and mixed. A 2019 proof-of-concept in Nature Medicine (32 people) found the pasteurised form safe and moved metabolic markers. A 2025 trial in Cell Metabolism (58 people with type 2 diabetes) used a live strain and found no significant difference from placebo. A 2026 trial in Nature Medicine (90 people) found less weight regain after a diet on the pasteurised form. Reviews in 2022 (Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology) and 2025 (Nature Reviews Microbiology) summarise the field. Most other work is in cells and animals. 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. Both are freeze-dried using the same preservation method developed for long-duration space missions, which keeps them 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.

Does it contain allergens?

Vekovia contains no animal-derived ingredients and no added preservatives, and the capsule itself is vegan. The full ingredient and allergen declaration is printed on every pack, and it will be published on each product page before we open orders. If you react to a particular fruit, read that declaration first.

How should I store it?

Keep the pack somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, and follow the storage line printed on the label. Freeze-drying is what allows that, since it stabilises the pasteurised cells and the berry polyphenols without high heat or chemical preservatives. Keep it out of reach of young children, as with any supplement.

What results should I expect?

We don't promise results, and we can't tell you how you personally will respond. The 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?

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