They’ve been linked to everything from an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes to depression, and now it seems our gut bacteria can also cope with Covid-19.
Taking a probiotic pill, designed to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, can speed up recovery from the coronavirus, according to a new study.
Probiotics are over-the-counter pills and drinks that are thought to support the gut microbiome, a complex gut ‘soup’ made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Evidence suggests that having the right combination of gut bacteria can strengthen the body’s immune defenses.
For the latest study, half of 300 Covid patients aged 16 to 60 who tested positive for a PCR test but did not require hospital treatment were given probiotic capsules, while the other half were given probiotic capsules. use a placebo.
Probiotics are over-the-counter pills and drinks that are thought to support the gut microbiome, the complex gut ‘soup’ made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
The results, published in the journal Gut Microbes, showed that 53% of those taking the probiotic (78 out of 147 in this group) were free of Covid symptoms within a month, compared with 28% (41 of 147 in this group) 146) for placebo. .
The dietary supplement, Probi7 AB21, contains four strains of live bacteria – three of which are lactobacillus.
Ten years ago, researchers in the Netherlands discovered that lactobacillus, found in dairy foods, produces substances that can communicate with nerve cells and reduce chronic inflammation associated with many sick.
Previous research has shown that people with Long Covid have low levels of lactobacillus in the gut, which can lead to inflammation throughout the body.
New research, funded by Kaneka, the company that makes the supplement, shows that people who took the probiotic capsules not only recovered faster, but they also had a lower viral load – the amount of virus circulating in the body. their system.
Mary Hickson, professor of nutrition at the University of Plymouth, said: “This is a high-quality and well-conducted trial.
Philip Calder, professor of nutritional immunology at the University of Southampton, explains that probiotics ‘can modify’ the gut microbiome. “Through that, they can help the immune system function and limit inflammation.” And Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, says a healthier diet and probiotic supplements have the potential to boost microbiome health.
He leads ZOE, a Covid symptom tracking app used by millions. Data from the app showed that people who ate the healthiest diets had a 10% lower risk of contracting Covid than those who ate the most unhealthy diets. They were also 40% less likely to have severe symptoms that required hospital treatment.
Professor Spector said: “The greater the diversity of bacteria in the microbiome, the more effective the immune system is.
But can daily supplements beat Covid?
Commenting on the new study, Professor Andrew Smith and Dr Paul Gill, experts in microbial diseases at University College London, warn in an online paper: ‘The study excluded people over 60 years of age and regardless of whether the volunteers were vaccinated.
So we don’t know if probiotics provide any benefit for those most at risk for severe Covid.
‘And taking probiotics may not be appropriate for people with weakened immune systems because the risk of potential infection is increased with consuming large amounts of live bacteria.’
Appy Days
Health app with official seal of approval. This week: Hey Pharmacist, free on Google Play or the App Store.
The NHS approved Hey Pharmacist app allows patients to order repeat prescriptions from any UK pharmacy and have them delivered to their door.
After you download the app and submit your prescription, your doctor will check it and ship it over the next few days. The app can also give a reminder to order another prescription when supplies are running low.
How sugar can save artificial joints from wear and tear
Sugar is being used to ensure the replacement joints last longer.
Researchers from Durham and York Universities are working on a plastic coating to replace cartilage in artificial joints and have added tiny loops to it to help the protective material stick to the joint.
This coating also encourages water from surrounding tissues to reach the surface, mimicking the lubricating function of real cartilage.
Writing in the journal Chem, the scientists suggest that the approach could help the artificial joint last longer because it works by ‘reducing the effects of abrasion’.
New test to detect diabetes risk in pregnancy
According to a study in the Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism, a saliva test for a newly discovered hormone – visfatin – could be a new way to diagnose gestational diabetes.
Researchers found levels of this hormone were 50 percent higher in women with gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after women give birth. Visfatin is thought to cause hypoglycemia – low blood sugar – by blocking the release of glucose from liver cells.
Researchers from Baskent University, in Turkey say hormone levels in saliva are ‘significantly higher in gestational diabetes’ and suggest that this could be an alternative test for the condition. This condition, now includes a blood test.
Small edits
Exercise is known to improve mood, but scientists at Sweden’s Gothenburg University have found that intense exercise is not necessarily necessary to reduce anxiety. In a 12-week study, anxious patients were asked to do one hour of cardio (eg, belly shakes) and strength training (squats) three times a week. More than 10% may have used an antidepressant during the trial, as the Journal of Psychological Disorders reports.
Silver gel speeds up the healing of severe burns
A new gel made from silver particles could revolutionize the treatment of severe burns in children.
The particles in the water-based gel are released into the wound in response to changes in acidity that occur during infection.
Although silver has a known antibacterial effect, it can also be toxic in large amounts – especially in children.
The idea is that the gel, which has been tested on mice, releases only the amount needed according to changes in acidity.
It can also speed up the healing process while preventing infection, according to a report in the journal Acta Biomaterialia.
According to Scientific Reports, Botox injections can reduce the risk of anxiety. Data from people with migraines, neck pain, leg cramps, and cosmetic reasons found that they were 22 to 72 percent less likely to report anxiety than those using other methods of control. other treatments for similar conditions. Botox can affect the central nervous system, which is involved in mood.
Body fat isn’t bad – it helps fight infections
Researchers from the University of East Anglia suggest that our fat stores may help fight infections.
In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, they found that in the presence of food-poisoning salmonella bacteria, stem cells in the body’s bone marrow encouraged fatty acids – which are made from the digestion of fatty foods – moves out of our stores and into the bloodstream.
The immune system then uses these high-energy fatty acids as fuel to create infection-fighting white blood cells.
Learning more about this mechanism could lead to the development of new treatments.
Doctors like guinea pigs
Scientists have made medical advances by winding their bodies. This week: Dr. Barry Marshall and how to cure stomach ulcers
Doctors often assume that peptic ulcers are caused by stress, spicy foods, or too much acid, so treat them with antacids and dietary changes. Then an Australian pathologist, Robin Warren, who was studying gastric biopsies, noticed inflammation in areas with small, curved colonies of bacteria.
A fellow doctor, Barry Marshall, joined him in examining 100 more gastric biopsies.
Based on their research, they assumed that bacteria, which they later identified as Helicobacter pylori, were the cause of stomach ulcers.
But after unsuccessful attempts to demonstrate this in piglets in 1984, Marshall chose to drink broth containing the bacteria, which caused the symptoms of the disease to ulcerate.
Tests confirmed he had severe inflammatory bowel disease, which he cured with antibiotics – the way we treat stomach ulcers today. Warren and Marshall later won a Nobel Prize for their work.
Source: | This article originally belonged to dailymail.co.uk
