According to Gram Research analysis of a 2026 mouse study, two gut bacteria strains from camel and horse feces reduced high-fat diet-related weight gain, blood fat problems, and blood sugar trouble. Both strains also helped restore a more varied gut microbiome. These early results come from animals, so human benefits remain unproven.
Researchers looked for helpful gut bacteria in an unusual place: the droppings of camels and horses. They found two new strains of Akkermansia, a type of bacteria that lives in the human gut and is linked to healthy metabolism. One strain came from camel feces and another from horse feces. In a study of mice fed a high-fat diet, both strains helped reduce weight gain, blood fat problems, blood sugar trouble, and inflammation in the colon. Both also helped restore a more varied mix of gut bacteria and increased bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds linked to gut and metabolic health. According to research reviewed by Gram, these results are promising, but they come from animal studies with a short timeframe, so more research in humans is needed before any practical advice can be drawn.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study published in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology found that two new Akkermansia strains, one from camel feces and one from horse feces, significantly reduced obesity and blood fat problems in high-fat diet-fed mice.
The same 2026 mouse study reported that both Akkermansia strains helped restore gut microbial diversity and increased bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds linked to metabolic health.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Can gut bacteria taken from camels and horses help protect mice from weight gain and metabolic problems caused by a high-fat diet?
- Who participated: The study used laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet. The exact number of mice was not listed in the summary provided. The bacteria themselves were collected from camel and horse droppings.
- Key finding: Two new strains of Akkermansia, one from a camel and one from a horse, reduced high-fat diet-related obesity, blood fat problems, and blood sugar trouble in mice. Both strains also helped restore a healthier mix of gut bacteria.
- What it means for you: This research is at an early stage. It does not show that eating these bacteria or any supplement will help people lose weight or stay healthy. Anyone concerned about weight or metabolic health should talk with a doctor or registered dietitian.
The Research Details
Researchers first collected droppings from camels and horses and grew bacteria from them in the lab. They identified two strains of Akkermansia, a group of gut microbes that has drawn scientific interest for its possible role in metabolic health. One strain, called Muc_T9, was identified as Akkermansia muciniphila. The other, called Mas_DA, was identified as Akkermansia massiliensis.
Next, the team tested how well each strain survived conditions similar to the stomach and intestines, since a probiotic must survive digestion to be useful. They also examined the genes of each strain to look for proteins that might affect the body, such as P9 and Amuc_1100, which are linked to gut function in earlier research.
Finally, the researchers fed mice a high-fat diet to trigger weight gain and metabolic problems, then gave some of the mice one of the two bacterial strains. They compared these mice with those that did not receive the bacteria, measuring body weight, blood fats, blood sugar control, colon inflammation, gut bacteria, and the activity of genes linked to fat metabolism.
Testing live bacteria in mice on a high-fat diet lets researchers control diet, genetics, and environment closely. This makes it easier to see whether the bacteria themselves cause the changes. Starting with bacteria from unusual animals also tests whether animals living in unique conditions may carry helpful microbes that people have not yet studied.
The study combined several types of tests, including lab tests of the bacteria, genetic analysis, and measurements in mice, which makes the findings more complete. However, the summary does not report the number of mice, and it notes that the intervention period was relatively short. Gene function was partly predicted from DNA sequences rather than directly confirmed, which adds some uncertainty. Results from mice do not always carry over to people.
What the Results Show
Mice that received either strain weighed less and showed fewer signs of obesity than mice on the high-fat diet without the bacteria. The researchers reported that the bacteria significantly improved obesity, abnormal blood fat levels, and glucose intolerance, which is the body’s reduced ability to manage blood sugar.
Both strains also eased inflammation in the colon and reduced damage to the colon tissue. This suggests the bacteria may help protect the gut lining from the stress caused by a high-fat diet.
The two strains did not behave identically. The study found different patterns in genes involved in fat metabolism and in fat tissue remodeling. This suggests each strain may influence the body in its own way, although the exact mechanisms are not yet clear.
Both strains also helped restore the variety of microbes in the gut and increased the amount of bacteria believed to produce short-chain fatty acids. These compounds are made when gut bacteria break down fiber, and they are thought to support metabolic health.
The two strains showed different abilities to survive stress conditions that mimic the digestive system. This suggests that each may be better suited to different uses or delivery methods, though this would need to be tested further. The genetic analysis also found genes linked to effects on gut function, which may help explain how these bacteria influence the body. These secondary results help guide future research, but they are not yet proof of how the bacteria work in people.
Akkermansia muciniphila is already one of the most studied gut bacteria in connection with metabolic health, and earlier research has linked it to better weight and blood sugar control in animals. This study builds on that work by looking at strains from camels and horses, which are less commonly studied. The findings support the general idea that Akkermansia may be useful for metabolic health, while suggesting that strains from unusual animal sources could offer new options.
The study was done in mice, so the results may not apply to people. The researchers themselves noted that the intervention period was relatively short, which means it is unclear whether the benefits would last over time. Some of the conclusions about how the bacteria work come from predictions based on genetic data rather than direct testing. The summary also does not report the number of mice used, which makes it harder to judge how strong the results are. More research, including human studies and multi-omics approaches that study many biological layers at once, is needed to confirm these effects.
The Bottom Line
Based on this single animal study, there is early evidence that these two Akkermansia strains may help limit diet-related weight gain and metabolic problems in mice. Confidence in these results for humans is currently low. No dosing, product, or eating recommendation can be made from this research alone. Current advice for supporting gut and metabolic health, such as eating a varied diet rich in fiber, remains the best-supported approach.
People interested in gut health, probiotics, and metabolic research may find this study worth following. Researchers and companies developing probiotic products may also find it relevant. People with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions should not change their treatment based on this study and should speak with a healthcare provider first. Those who are pregnant, immunocompromised, or taking medication should be especially careful with any new probiotic.
Findings from mouse studies usually take years to be tested in people, and many promising results never become treatments. Even if future human trials show benefits, it may take many years before any product based on these strains is available. Anyone hoping to improve metabolic health today should focus on proven steps such as diet, physical activity, sleep, and medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bacteria from camel or horse poop help with weight gain?
A 2026 mouse study found that two Akkermansia strains, one from camels and one from horses, reduced high-fat diet-related obesity and blood fat problems. These results come from animals only, so there is no proof yet that they help people lose weight.
What is Akkermansia and why do scientists study it?
Akkermansia is a type of bacteria that lives in the human gut and breaks down the mucus lining of the intestines. Scientists study it because earlier research has linked it to better metabolic health, including healthier weight and blood sugar levels in animals.
Are probiotics from animal gut bacteria safe for people?
Safety in people has not been established for these specific strains. Mouse studies do not prove safety or effectiveness for humans, so anyone considering a probiotic should speak with a doctor first, especially if they have a health condition or take medication.
How long does it take for gut bacteria to affect weight?
The mouse study ran for a relatively short period, and the researchers noted that longer studies are needed to see whether benefits last. Human research on gut bacteria and weight usually takes months to years, and results vary from person to person.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily fiber intake in grams, along with the number of different plant foods eaten each week, since diet variety is linked to gut microbe diversity. Record this alongside body weight once a week for consistency.
- Encourage users to add one new high-fiber food, such as beans, oats, lentils, or vegetables, each week and to limit highly processed, high-fat foods. Remind users that changes in diet are the most reliable way to support gut and metabolic health right now.
- Over the long term, users can log weekly body weight, fiber intake, and activity minutes to see patterns over months. If users ever take a probiotic or supplement, the app can record the product name, start date, and any changes in digestion or energy, and encourage them to share this log with their healthcare provider.
This article summarizes an early-stage study conducted in mice and is for general information only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to start, stop, or change any treatment, supplement, or diet. The findings have not been confirmed in humans. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about probiotics, weight, or metabolic health.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.