Two national trials link gut health, vitamin D, phytochemicals & Covid symptoms.Science-informed support.
Two UK national trials evaluated the connection between gut health, vitamin D, phytochemical support, and Covid symptoms, including fatigue, cough, gut symptoms, and overall well-being.
The research explored how a probiotic lactobacillus blend with inulin and vitamin D, and later a phytochemical-rich capsule, may support recovery outcomes among individuals with Covid symptoms.
Why researchers studied gut health, vitamin D and Covid symptoms.
Evidence linking a lack of gut microfloral diversity, poor gut health and Covid is becoming increasingly apparent. Both poor gut health and low vitamin D are now understood to affect many individuals suffering with a Covid infection.
Gut symptoms may be caused by the virus itself, or by the fact that people with poor gut health may be more likely to experience worse Covid symptoms. Before the study, strategies to improve gut health and vitamin D levels had not been fully evaluated in this setting.
Research focus areas
- Gut microflora diversity and gut dysbiosis
- Vitamin D and Covid symptom severity
- Gastro-intestinal and non-GI symptoms
- Fatigue, cough and overall well-being
- Potential role of phytochemical-rich nutritional support
YourGutPlus+, gut health, vitamin D and Covid symptoms.
The first trial studied the influence of a blend of probiotic lactobacillus, inulin and vitamin D on the duration and severity of Covid symptoms.
The influence of a blend of probiotic lactobacillus, inulin and vitamin D on Covid symptoms.
From May 2020 to May 2021, 126 participants with Covid were recruited, with an average duration of symptoms of 108 days. Participants were given 30 days of the pre and probiotic capsule within the ongoing UK national Phyto-V study.
Methods
Symptoms were recorded using the validated Cough Symptom Score, the Subjective Well-Being questionnaire and the Chandler fatigue questionnaire.
The group was analysed as a whole and then subdivided into 40 participants in an early phase of infection and 86 participants in a chronic phase.
Results
- Cough, fatigue and subjective well-being scores significantly improved over 30 days.
- Improvements were seen in both early and chronic phase cohorts.
- Participants more likely to have gut dysbiosis had a statistically significantly better response.
- Gut symptoms improved in 25 of 31 participants who reported them at baseline.
- Two participants reported mild increased bloating and diarrhoea.
Gut health, vitamin D and Covid symptoms are clearly linked. This nutritional intervention suggested that strategies to support these issues can significantly improve GI and non-GI symptoms, resulting in a meaningful improvement in overall well-being.
Although some participants with early disease may have improved spontaneously, the rapid improvement in many participants who had been experiencing symptoms for over six months was clinically relevant and welcomed, especially among those more likely to have pre-existing gut dysbiosis.
Prebiotic, probiotic and vitamin D support.
YourGutPlus+ combines a probiotic lactobacillus blend, inulin prebiotic support and vitamin D in a delayed-release vegan capsule.
In Trial 1, this type of nutritional intervention was evaluated for its potential influence on fatigue, cough, GI symptoms and subjective well-being among individuals with Covid symptoms.
Phytochemical-rich nutritional support.
Trial 2 evaluated a concentrated phytochemical-rich nutritional capsule in addition to the probiotic capsule on clinical outcomes among individuals with Covid.
Natural phytochemicals have reported anti-viral properties and may favorably affect inflammatory and oxidative pathways, both important for tissue damage post-viral pneumonia.
Phyto-V plus probiotic support in a double-blind RCT.
The second trial evaluated a concentrated phytochemical-rich nutritional capsule in addition to the probiotic capsule on clinical outcomes among individuals with Covid.
Phyto-V plus YourGutPlus+ among individuals with symptomatic Covid.
This study involved 147 participants with symptomatic Covid, randomised to receive a placebo or a phytochemical-rich concentrated food capsule in addition to a pre/probiotic lactobacillus capsule known as YourGutPlus+.
Background
Gut microflora dysbiosis affects many individuals after Covid-19, contributing to both gastro-intestinal and non-GI symptoms.
Natural phytochemicals have reported anti-viral properties and may favorably affect inflammatory and oxidative pathways.
Results
- Participants taking the phytochemical capsule had an almost two-fold reduction in mean fatigue scores compared to placebo.
- The group had a three-fold reduction in cough score.
- Participants had more than a double improvement in overall well-being scores.
- Two participants reported mild increased bloating.
- GI symptoms improved in 25 of 31 participants who reported them at baseline.
The rapid improvement observed in the majority of participants, who had been suffering for an average of 108 days, was clinically relevant and welcomed, especially among those more likely to have pre-existing gut dysbiosis.
The research team are now evaluating whether this blend could also enhance antibody titres post-Covid-19 vaccination.
What the trials observed.
Across the research, investigators observed improvements across fatigue, cough, GI symptoms and subjective well-being, especially among participants more likely to have pre-existing gut dysbiosis.
Gut symptoms improved in 25 of 31 participants who reported them at baseline.
Trial 2 reported an almost two-fold reduction in mean fatigue scores compared to placebo.
Trial 2 reported a three-fold reduction in cough score among participants taking the phytochemical capsule.
Listen to Professor Thomas discuss the rationale and results.
Explore a podcast discussion with Professor Thomas about the study rationale, product science and results from the national Covid research.
Featured Podcast
Listen to the discussion covering the Phyto-V study, gut health, probiotic support and Covid symptom research.
Research committees and trial identifiers.
Trial 1 Study Committee: R Thomas, J Aldous, R Forsyth, A Chater, M Williams (2021). Bedford & Addenbrooke’s Cambridge University NHS Trusts. EudraCT: 2020-001532-10 | IRAS: 282517.
Trial 2 Study Committee: Prof R Thomas, Dr J Aldous, R Forsyth, Prof A Chater, Dr Yuuki Yanagisawa, Dr R Kumar, M Williams (2022). Bedford & Addenbrooke’s Cambridge University NHS Trusts; Department of English, Cambridge University; Sports and Nutrition Department, University of Bedfordshire. EudraCT: 2020-001532-10 | IRAS: 282517.
Support gut health with science-informed formulas.
YourGutPlus+ and Phyto-V were evaluated in national research exploring gut health, vitamin D, phytochemical support and Covid symptoms.