For those who have not been vaccinated COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection)probiotics may offer some protection against viruses, a new study suggests.
In a randomized, placebo-controlled study led by Duke Health. in north carolinaAccording to a press release, probiotics have a “remarkable ability to slow COVID-19 infection and reduce symptoms” among people who have not been vaccinated and have been exposed to the virus in their households. was shown.
The study was published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
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“When patients who had no symptoms of coronavirus started taking probiotics, the lactic acid bacteria probiotics we studied reduced their symptoms. Possibility of being infected with the new coronavirus 50% reduction over time, and 50% reduction in COVID-19 symptoms,” Paul Wischmeier, MD, study co-lead and vice chair for clinical research in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University, told Fox News Digital. said in a statement.
For people who haven't been vaccinated against COVID-19, probiotics may offer some level of protection against the virus, a new study suggests. (St. Petersburg)
This effect was seen in children and adults of all ages, he noted.
The blinded study began in March 2020, before a vaccine was widely available, and involved 182 participants. people who have not been vaccinated You have recently been in contact with someone in your household who has tested positive for the coronavirus.
None of the participants developed symptoms of the virus.
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Half of them were given probiotics (lactic acid bacteria, a bacteria found in yogurt, kefir, and kimchi), and the other half were given probiotics. Placebo tablet.
“This is a simple, safe probiotic that we've researched, specifically Culturelle, that you can buy in stores or on Amazon,” Wischmeier said.
According to WebMD, probiotics are live bacteria or yeast that are beneficial to the digestive system. Probiotics, also known as “good bacteria,” contribute to gut health. (St. Petersburg)
Researchers found that participants who took probiotics were about half as likely to develop coronavirus symptoms or contract the virus compared to those in the placebo group. .
The research team was not surprised by the results, Wischmeyer told FOX News Digital.
“There are many studies showing that probiotics can significantly reduce both the onset and severity of viral infections. viral infection,” He said.
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A large study of healthy babies published in the journal Nature in 2017 found that daily intake of lactic acid probiotics could significantly reduce viral and other respiratory infections and death. The doctor pointed out that
Additional research shows that probiotics respiratory infections Wischmeyer added that for people who take it daily, it reduces the duration of respiratory and viral illnesses by 32 to 50 percent, or more than two days.
Additional studies have shown that people who take probiotics daily can reduce respiratory infections by 32% to 50% and shorten the duration of respiratory and viral illnesses. (St. Petersburg)
Researchers do not recommend people not get a coronavirus vaccine based on these findings, but they do suggest that probiotics may provide an additional layer of protection. are doing.
“As shown in some early studies, data appears to show that taking probiotics at the time of vaccination improves the effectiveness of the vaccine and makes it work better,” Wish said. Meyer said.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria It also contains yeast, which is beneficial for the digestive system, according to WebMD.
Probiotics, also called “good bacteria”, gut health.
It can also be obtained through fermented foods and supplements such as yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, and kombucha.
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Probiotics increase the production of regulatory T cells (white blood cells that help boost the body's immune response), which reduce inflammation, protect the lungs from infection, and express antiviral genes that help fight the coronavirus. Research has shown that it does.
Wischmeyer told Fox News Digital that in addition to reducing the risk of respiratory infections, probiotics have been shown to have many other benefits.
These include improved gut health, improved immune function, reduced risk of diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness, and reduced risk of autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Brett Osborne, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, was not involved in the Duke University study but offered his opinion on the findings. “This result is consistent with the known anti-inflammatory properties of probiotics,” he told Fox News Digital. (Dr. Brett Osborne)
“We also have improved data.” weight management It also improves depression and has other effects on the brain,” the doctor added.
Dr. Brett Osborn florida neurologist The longevity expert was not involved in Duke's study but offered his opinion on the findings.
“This result is consistent with the known anti-inflammatory properties of probiotics,” he told Fox News Digital.
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Osborne said the coronavirus can cause a “potent inflammatory response” that can affect the lungs, heart, brain and peripheral nervous system.
“Induced inflammation is a critical factor in the severity of the disease, which is precisely why the first effective treatments early in the pandemic were corticosteroids, which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents.” He continued. “Although the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics are not as strong, they still contribute to reducing inflammation.”
“We've known for years that the gut plays a big role in the coronavirus, and that many people infected with the coronavirus develop gastrointestinal symptoms.”
Reducing the body's inflammatory response may reduce the severe outcomes of the disease and reduce tissue damage, potentially minimizing long-term effects, the doctor added.
Dr. Mark Siegel, Clinical Professor, School of Medicine New York University Langone Medical Center A Fox News medical contributor, also not involved in the Duke Health study, agreed that it was a “well-done study” with promising results.
“Probiotics have long been shown to have a positive impact on fighting respiratory viruses,” he told FOX News Digital.
Dr. Mark Siegel, a professor of clinical medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center, who was not involved in the Duke Health study, agreed that it was a “well-done study” with promising results. (Dr. Mark Siegel)
“We have known for years that the gut plays a key role in COVID-19 and that many people infected with COVID-19 develop gastrointestinal symptoms,” Siegel added. . “I think taking probiotics during COVID-19 is a good idea for most people with few downsides.”
However, doctors said more research is needed into its benefits.
Researchers said it was small but reliable.
The researchers acknowledged that the study's main limitation was its small size.
Professor Wischmeyer said: “Although the sample size is limited, our research shows that our commensal microbes could be valuable partners in the fight against COVID-19 and other potential pandemic diseases in the future. It gives credibility to the idea.”
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“This may be particularly relevant in resource-poor countries where vaccination rates have lagged, and also in the United States, where coronavirus boosters are not widely available.”
Professor Osborne agreed: “Although the study was limited in size and did not reach statistical significance, the results suggest a potential protective effect of probiotics on people infected with SARS-CoV-2.'' “I am doing it,” he pointed out.
Probiotics can be obtained through certain foods and supplements. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Based on this research, Professor Wischmeyer believes that the majority of people around the world are at risk not only of contracting the new coronavirus and experiencing severe symptoms, but also of other viruses such as influenza, RSV, and other viruses. He said people can benefit from taking probiotics daily to also reduce their risk of contracting respiratory infections.
“If you are taking immunosuppressants, you should talk to your doctor before starting probiotics, but they may be safe with your doctor's permission,” he added. .
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Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, along with other respiratory illnesses.
The agency reports that less than 20% of Americans have received the latest coronavirus vaccine.
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