A specific type of gut bacteria called Bacteroides salyersiae is better at breaking down a substance called hyaluronic acid—no matter if it’s big or small molecules—than other similar bacteria we’ve...

A specific type of gut bacteria called Bacteroides salyersiae is better at breaking down a substance called hyaluronic acid—no matter if it’s big or small molecules—than other similar bacteria we’ve looked at.

A specific gut bacteria called Bacteroides salyersiae breaks down a substance in your body called hyaluronic acid and makes a small sugar molecule called udp4 as a result.

Big, chunky molecules of hyaluronic acid are easier for certain good bacteria in your gut to break down and eat than smaller ones.

Some good bacteria in your gut can break down a substance called hyaluronic acid, and different strains do it in different ways—some even share the broken-down pieces with other bacteria, like one bacteria passing along a chemical called UDP4.

A special sugar made by one type of gut bacteria can be eaten by other gut bacteria that can’t break down hyaluronic acid themselves — like sharing a snack they can’t make on their own.