SMRTR Science & EngineeringFeb 19, 2026Scientific American

Are you constipated? It could be because of these two bacteria

SMRTR summary

Researchers discovered that two bacteria species, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Akkermansia muciniphila, work together to cause constipation by breaking down the protective mucin coating in the colon that keeps waste moving smoothly. When scientists modified one bacterium to prevent mucin breakdown in mice, the animals remained regular, suggesting these bacteria must collaborate to cause the problem and potentially opening doors to personalized constipation treatments.

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