A new clinical trial published in the European Journal of Nutrition has highlighted the power of daily synbiotic supplementation for managing long COVID symptoms.
Post-COVID-19 chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — the most common symptom of long COVID — can cause brain fog, shortness of breath, fatigue and pain; significantly reducing an individual's quality of life.
During the three month study, participants diagnosed with post-COVID CFS receiving the synbiotic blend experienced improvements in post-exercise recovery, as well as an increase in key brain health-boosting metabolites.
These results suggest that modulation of the gut microbiome may be an effective natural solution for individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Long COVID: the challenges
Post-COVID CFS is a neurological condition impacting up to 45% of those previously infected with the virus, and is currently considered to be the most common symptom of long COVID.
Interestingly, it is often associated with gut microbiome disruptions, as well as energy metabolism in the brain.1
Since an association between the health of the gut microbiome and long COVID-associated chronic fatigue has already been determined, dsm-firmenich wanted to see if its synbiotic solution could benefit patients diagnosed with the condition.2
To assess this, a cohort of 26 adults diagnosed with post-COVID CFS were randomised to receive either a placebo or the company's synbiotic blend, which contained:
- Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus DSM 32550
- Humiome® Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 34532
- Bifdobacterium lactis DSM 32269
- Bifdobacterium longum DSM 32946
- 2.5g of prebiotic fructooligosaccharides
- 5mg of zinc.
All participants involved in the trial complained of gastrointestinal disturbances pre-trial, so it could be determined if gut microbiome restoration through dietary supplements could positively impact CFS symptoms.
Targeting the gut-brain axis for CFS mitigation
During the three month study, researchers from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, noted that participants experienced a significant reduction in post-exercise malaise, meaning the body was able to recover more effectively after exercise.
Positive neurological impacts were also observed, with those receiving the synbiotic blend having higher creatine levels in both the gray and white matter found in the left frontal lobe.
Volunteers receiving the synbiotic also had an uptick in choline levels within the thalamus, suggesting that neuronal energy metabolism was enhanced in the group compared with the placebo.
General fatigue scores as measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) test also decreased in the synbiotic group, though it should be noted that scores went down in both treatment arms.
However, there was a strong trend towards reduced concentration difficulties in the synbiotic group compared with placebo, suggesting that the nutraceutical solution was able to modulate the gut-brain axis to some extent.
"This study offers compelling new evidence that targeted synbiotic supplementation can positively influence brain metabolism and reduce hallmark symptoms of long COVID and other post-viral fatigue syndromes like CFS," noted Robert Steinert, Principal Scientist at dsm-firmenich.
"As chronic fatigue can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected by it, this research marks an important step forward for those looking to manage their symptoms with a natural solution."
"It opens the door for a greater focus on the development of nutritional supplements and solutions in the synbiotic category for those with chronic fatigue syndrome," he concluded.
References
1 www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-disrupts-gut-microbiome
2 www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359610124000625
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