Long COVID, also known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), affects millions worldwide and causes a range of symptoms, including extreme fatigue, memory problems, and digestive issues, that can seriously impact daily life. There is no cure yet, and scientists are investigating various paths to treatment. The gut microbiome is one of them. Learn about a recent study that offers hope for at least a few of the frequent complaints among COVID-19 long-haulers.*

The Gut Microbiome’s Role in Long COVID

A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that Long COVID might be connected to an imbalance in the gut microbiome—the bacteria and other microorganisms in our digestive system. This imbalance is also called gut dysbiosis. The gut microbiome is important for keeping the immune system in check, and when it is disrupted, it can cause long-term health problems such as:

• Gut inflammation,
• Impaired gut wall integrity, and
• Systemic (full body) inflammation. 

Studies on people with Long COVID have found that they often have fewer healthy gut bacteria and more inflammation in their digestive system. This has led researchers to explore treatments like probiotics (“good” gut bacteria) and synbiotics (combinations of probiotics and prebiotics (non-digestible fibers that support probiotics)), which can restore balance in the gut and improve immune function.

Testing SIM01: A New Synbiotic Treatment

The study by Raphaela Lau tested a synbiotic preparation called SIM01 on 463 participants who were given either SIM01 or a placebo for six months. The results showed that SIM01 helped ease several key symptoms, including:

• Fatigue,   
• Trouble concentrating, 
• Memory loss, and 
• Stomach issues. 

People taking SIM01 also had a healthier gut microbiome, with more diversity in their gut bacteria. Importantly, the treatment was safe, with no significant difference in side effects between the SIM01 and placebo groups.

Strengths, Challenges, and Next Steps

The study offers exciting possibilities, but there are still some challenges. One limitation is that the study relied on participants reporting their symptoms, which can be subjective. Also, because the study was done in one location and the formula was based on gut bacteria common in Chinese populations, it’s unclear how well the results apply to people from other parts of the world. Still, the study had strong points, like a large number of participants and detailed analyses of their gut health.

Looking ahead, larger studies in different locations are needed to confirm the findings and explore whether SIM01 works better than other probiotics. While more research is necessary, this study is an important step toward understanding and treating Long COVID.

*Raman, B. and Ramasamy,  M. N. (Synbiotics in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome—a potential new treatment framework? The Lancet Infectious Diseases 24(3): 219 – 221. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(23)00735-1/fulltext 

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