YourgutPlus
First scientific essay (Read full article )
The influence of a mixture of Lactobacillus probiotics and prebiotic inulin on the duration and severity of symptoms among people with Covid-19.
R Thomas*, J Aldous+, R Forsyth^, A Chater#, M Williams* (2021) Infect Dis Diag Treat 5: 182.
* Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Bedford & Addenbrooke's Cambridge University NHS Trusts. Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ and Professor of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.
+ Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, Institute of Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), University of Bedfordshire, Bedford Campus, Polhill Avenue, Bedford. MK41 9EA.
^ Department of English, University of Cambridge, The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TN
# Professor of Health Psychology and Behavior Change, University of Bedfordshire, Director of the Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), MK41 9EA.
*Research Manager, Primrose Research Unit, Bedford Hospital. MK42 9DJ.
Summary
Background:
Gut microfloral dysbiosis is known to affect the majority of people with Covid-19 infection. This study evaluated whether a specific mixture of lactobacillus and inulin, aimed at improving gut health, could reduce the severity of early and chronic symptoms of covid-19.
Methods:
From May 2020 to May 2021, we evaluated 126 participants with Covid-19, with a mean duration of symptoms of 108 days, who were administered 30 days of this prebiotic and probiotic capsule within the ongoing national Phyto-v study in the UK. Symptoms were recorded using the validated cough symptom score, questionnaire of subjective well-being and the Chandler fatigue questionnaire. The group was analyzed as a whole and then subdivided into 40 (32%) in an early phase of infection (average symptoms 10 days before baseline ) and 86 (68%) in a chronic phase (average symptoms 120 days before trial baseline).
Results:
Cough, fatigue, and subjective well-being scores were significantly improved over 30 days in the early and chronic phase cohorts. Participants who were more likely to have gut dysbiosis at trial entry, such as older men who were sedentary, hospitalized, and with gastrointestinal symptoms, had a statistically significantly better response to probiotics.
Discussion:
After this nutritional intervention, participants had a significant improvement in gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptoms, which which resulted in a significant improvement in general well-being. Although some participants with early disease would have spontaneously improved, such a rapid improvement in the majority who had been experiencing symptoms for more than 6 months, was clinically relevant and welcome , especially among those who were more likely to have pre-existing gut dysbiosis. The next trial (below) will test whether an additional phytochemical-rich capsule could further improve recovery for early and long-term covid patients
Second scientific study ( Read full article )
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating a concentrated phytochemical-rich nutritional capsule in addition to a probiotic capsule on clinical outcomes among people with COVID-19
EudraCT number: 2020-001532-10 | REC reference : 20/YH/0164 | IRAS number: 282517
Prof. R Thomas*, Dr J Aldous+, R Forsyth^, Prof A Chater#, Dr Yuuki Yanagisawa, Dr R Kumar, M Williams* (2022)
Bedford & Addenbrooke Cambridge University NHS Trusts. Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ and Professor of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. Institute of Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), University of Bedfordshire, Department of English, University of Cambridge, The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TN Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), University of Bedfordshire Gut microflora dysbiosis affects most people after COVID-19, contributing to gastrointestinal (GI) and non-gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The Natural phytochemicals have reported antiviral properties and favorably affect inflammatory and oxidative pathways, both of which are important for tissue damage following viral pneumonia. This study involved 147 participants with symptomatic COVID-19, randomized to receive either a placebo (P) or a concentrated phytochemical-rich (PC) dietary capsule in addition to a known lactobacillus pre/probiotic capsule like Yourgutplus+®. Participants taking PC had a nearly twofold reduction in mean fatigue scores compared to placebo [p=0.02], a threefold reduction in cough score and a more than two-fold improvement in general well-being scores [p=0.02]. Two participants (1.5%) reported a mild increase in swelling that they felt could be attributed to the capsules, although gastrointestinal symptoms improved in 25 of 31 participants (82%) who reported them at baseline. Sedentary, older, previously hospitalized men with gastrointestinal symptoms had statistically significant improvement among those who received the probiotic. Such rapid improvement seen in the majority of participants, who had been suffering for an average of 108 days, was clinically relevant and welcome, especially among those most likely to have gut dysbiosis We are now evaluating whether this mixture could also improve antibody titers after COVID-19 vaccination.Summary
