Adlercreutzia

Adlercreutzia is a gut microbe with the unique ability to metabolise soy isoflavones.¹Maruo T, Sakamoto M, Ito C, Toda T, Benno Y. Adlercreutzia equolifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov., an equol-producing bacterium isolated from human faeces, and emended description of the genus Eggerthella. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2008 May;58(Pt 5):1221-7. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.65404-0. Here are 3 key reasons why Adlercreutzia is important for your health:

1. Daidzein Conversion. Crucially, Adlercreutzia is known for converting daidzein, a soy isoflavone, into equol, a compound with potential health benefits. Soy isoflavones have a chemical structure that’s remarkably similar to that of oestrogen. That’s why they are often referred to as “phytoestrogens”²Domínguez-López I, Yago-Aragón M, Salas-Huetos A, Tresserra-Rimbau A, Hurtado-Barroso S. Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Hormones throughout a Human Lifespan: A Review. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 15;12(8):2456. doi: 10.3390/nu12082456.³Landete JM, Gaya P, Rodríguez E, Langa S, Peirotén Á, Medina M, Arqués JL. Probiotic Bacteria for Healthier Aging: Immunomodulation and Metabolism of Phytoestrogens. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:5939818. doi: 10.1155/2017/5939818.
2. Protective Effects. Soy isoflavones have long been studied for their potential protective effects on a range of different health concerns.⁴Mayo B, Vázquez L, Flórez AB. Equol: A Bacterial Metabolite from The Daidzein Isoflavone and Its Presumed Beneficial Health Effects. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 16;11(9):2231. doi: 10.3390/nu11092231. Adlercreutzia converts them into equol, a molecule known for having the strongest affinity with oestrogen receptors that balances hormones throughout the lifespan in both men and women.⁵Mayo B, Vázquez L, Flórez AB. Equol: A Bacterial Metabolite from The Daidzein Isoflavone and Its Presumed Beneficial Health Effects. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 16;11(9):2231. doi: 10.3390/nu11092231. Adlercreutzia‘s unique ability to produce equol highlights its significance in gut health and its potential impact on physical and mental wellbeing.
3. Women’s Health. Soy isoflavones have also been studied for their benefits in supporting pre-, post- and menopausal women, not only with reproductive health but with wider health concerns such as cardiovascular and metabolic health.⁶Leonard LM, Choi MS, Cross TL. Maximizing the Estrogenic Potential of Soy Isoflavones through the Gut Microbiome: Implication for Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 27;14(3):553. doi: 10.3390/nu14030553.

What are the best sources of Adlercreutzia?

Adlercreutzia is a native microbe to the human gut. There are no food sources or supplements that you can take to increase your Adlercreutzia levels. However, you can improve the abundance of Adlercreutzia in your gut by eating some of this microbe’s favourite foods. Please see below.

What foods can Adlercreutzia feed on?

Soy isoflavones are primarily found in soy-based products. Some common food sources of soy isoflavones include soybeans, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and edamame. Scientists have recently found another species of Adlercreutzia (Adlercreutzia rubneri) that feeds on resveratrol.⁷Stoll DA, Danylec N, Soukup ST, Hetzer B, Kulling SE, Huch M. Adlercreutzia rubnerisp. nov., a resveratrol-metabolizing bacterium isolated from human faeces and emended description of the genus Adlercreutzia. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2021 Sep;71(9):004987. doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004987. Resveratrol is a polyphenol naturally found in various plant sources, including grapes, blueberries, cranberries, peanuts, and dark chocolate. Its antioxidant properties have been associated with many health benefits.⁸Barber TM, Kabisch S, Randeva HS, Pfeiffer AFH, Weickert MO. Implications of Resveratrol in Obesity and Insulin Resistance: A State-of-the-Art Review. Nutrients. 2022 Jul 13;14(14):2870. doi: 10.3390/nu14142870.⁹Meng X, Zhou J, Zhao CN, Gan RY, Li HB. Health Benefits and Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol: A Narrative Review. Foods. 2020 Mar 14;9(3):340. doi: 10.3390/foods9030340.

Where to find Adlercrutzia in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

You will find your Adlercrutzia levels in the “Bacteria with Unique Properties” section of the “Probiotics” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results.

Synonyms: Adlercreutzia species, Adlercreutzia equolifaciens, Adlercreutzia rubneri, soy isoflavone-degrading bacteria, isoflavone-metabolising bacteria, bacteria with unique properties

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

• 1
  Maruo T, Sakamoto M, Ito C, Toda T, Benno Y. Adlercreutzia equolifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov., an equol-producing bacterium isolated from human faeces, and emended description of the genus Eggerthella. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2008 May;58(Pt 5):1221-7. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.65404-0.
• 2
  Domínguez-López I, Yago-Aragón M, Salas-Huetos A, Tresserra-Rimbau A, Hurtado-Barroso S. Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Hormones throughout a Human Lifespan: A Review. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 15;12(8):2456. doi: 10.3390/nu12082456.
• 3
  Landete JM, Gaya P, Rodríguez E, Langa S, Peirotén Á, Medina M, Arqués JL. Probiotic Bacteria for Healthier Aging: Immunomodulation and Metabolism of Phytoestrogens. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:5939818. doi: 10.1155/2017/5939818.
• 4
  Mayo B, Vázquez L, Flórez AB. Equol: A Bacterial Metabolite from The Daidzein Isoflavone and Its Presumed Beneficial Health Effects. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 16;11(9):2231. doi: 10.3390/nu11092231.
• 5
  Mayo B, Vázquez L, Flórez AB. Equol: A Bacterial Metabolite from The Daidzein Isoflavone and Its Presumed Beneficial Health Effects. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 16;11(9):2231. doi: 10.3390/nu11092231.
• 6
  Leonard LM, Choi MS, Cross TL. Maximizing the Estrogenic Potential of Soy Isoflavones through the Gut Microbiome: Implication for Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 27;14(3):553. doi: 10.3390/nu14030553.
• 7
  Stoll DA, Danylec N, Soukup ST, Hetzer B, Kulling SE, Huch M. Adlercreutzia rubnerisp. nov., a resveratrol-metabolizing bacterium isolated from human faeces and emended description of the genus Adlercreutzia. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2021 Sep;71(9):004987. doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004987.
• 8
  Barber TM, Kabisch S, Randeva HS, Pfeiffer AFH, Weickert MO. Implications of Resveratrol in Obesity and Insulin Resistance: A State-of-the-Art Review. Nutrients. 2022 Jul 13;14(14):2870. doi: 10.3390/nu14142870.
• 9
  Meng X, Zhou J, Zhao CN, Gan RY, Li HB. Health Benefits and Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol: A Narrative Review. Foods. 2020 Mar 14;9(3):340. doi: 10.3390/foods9030340.

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