Your Gut Health Can Predict Your Body's Response to COVID-19

Lab studies suggest your gut health may play a role in COVID severity.

The Coronavirus or COVID-19 has dominated worldwide throughout 2020 and predicted to take over much of the beginning of 2021. But with the vaccine rolling out steadily across the United States, the country can see what could be the light at the end of a long tunnel. 

Although the wait to receive the vaccine may take some time, it is notable to stay proactive in preventative measures such as; wearing a face mask, staying six-feet apart from others, and washing your hands for 20-seconds. 

However, Did you know your gut health could impact your body's response to COVID-19?

According to a study conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, researchers were able to find how our gut microorganisms likely influence how our bodies respond to COVID-19. Researchers used shotgun sequencing to extract DNA from stool samples of 100 patients infected with COVID-19 and compared 27 of those patients' gut microbiome composition after they had been tested negative of the virus. The results from the study had shown the presence of gut microbes that have the potential to provide an immune defense to disease were low in patients while infected with COVID-19 and even 30 days after testing negative.

"The presence of abnormal assortment of gut bacteria, or "dysbiosis," persists after the virus is gone and could play a role in the long-lasting symptoms that plague some patients." -- Dr. Siew Ng, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

At the University, Dr. Ng's team was able to develop an oral probiotic formula in the form of a capsule to provide to patients. Following the consumption of their probiotic, the team was able to find substantially reduced markers for inflammation in their blood and an increase in beneficial bacteria in their stool. In addition, patients had developed neutralizing antibodies to the coronavirus.

In another study at Monash University Central Clinical School in Melbourne Australia, a team of researchers found two molecules they believe could offer new treatment for asthma and potentially COVID-19. One molecule, L-tyrosine has made a significant impact in their study showing enhanced metabolism of L-tyrosine resulted in the production of the byproduct of the second molecule p-cresol sulfate (PCS). These two molecules were given to mice and researchers discovered that the supplements protected the animals from lung inflammation.

Their findings were reported in the journal of Nature Immunology and the use of L-tyrosine may be fast-tracked to clinical trials to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID patients.

What does this science have to do with my gut health?

Both of these perspective studies have demonstrated that the dysbiosis or the imbalance of your gut microbiome has drawn direct consequences to how the body responds to COVID-19 and other similar diseases involving inflammation. 

To take a proactive step into preventing disease and building up immunity to fight off infections, we at Psomagen offer a gut microbiome at-home testing kit that can measure the balance of your gut microbes to prevent dysbiosis.

 

References: 

• https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20210112/gut-microbiome-composition-impacts-severity-of-covid19
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science/gut-bacteria-tied-to-disease-severity-immune-response-high-mental-health-toll-seen-in-icus-idUSKBN29I2Y9