DO YOU HAVE LONG COVID SYMPTOMS? It might be because of your gut microbes. A new study suggests that the gut microbiome is associated with an individual’s chances of developing “long Covid” symptoms many months after the initial infection. Today we look at long Covid and your gut.
The new research is the first to show an association between changes in the gut microbiome composition and persistent symptoms in those with COVID-19 up to six months after clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Let’s look at this fascinating research from Hong Kong. Researchers enrolled 106 patients with COVID-19. The patients had symptoms that were mainly mild to moderate.
Long Covid and the Microbiome
At three months, 81 percent of the patients with COVID had post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), or long COVID. In other words, the affected subjects had at least one persistent and otherwise unexplained symptom.
At the six-month mark, 76 percent still had long-COVID symptoms. The most common symptoms included anxiety, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and poorer memory.
The researchers examined stool samples, discovering the quantity and diversity of bacteria appeared significantly reduced at six months for those with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) or long COVID.
The investigators compared these results with individuals with PACS and with controls. For those with long COVID, 28 species of bacteria appeared diminished, and 14 increased (at baseline and follow-up).
Patients with COVID but no long-term symptoms had only 25 alterations of bacterial species at admission, and all normalized by six months.
Among those with PACS, 28 bacteria species appeared diminished and 14 enriched, both at baseline and follow-up. Those patients who had COVID but not PACS showed just 25 alterations of bacteria species at the time of hospital admission, and they all normalized by six months.
The study authors discovered that subjects with hair loss had much lower bacteria levels known for producing a beneficial fatty acid, butyrate. In addition, certain of these bacteria had the most significant inverse correlations with long-COVID at six months.
COVID and gut microbiome — My take
Particular gut microbiome signatures may point to a higher probability of long-COVID.
Remember that the researchers looked at earlier strains of COVID. Still, the study authors offer that the findings apply to newer variants, including Omicron, since all COVID varieties persistently disrupt the immune system.
In addition, given the study’s time frame, none of the subjects had received COVID vaccines.
This study adds to a growing body of literature pointing to how the microbiome influences our health. Included among the systems influenced are the immune systems. We may someday use manipulation of the microbiome to manage COVID symptoms.
Today, there is nothing actionable, but I wanted to bring you up to speed on this exciting finding. I increasingly focus on what goes into my gut, as I think we see only the tip of the iceberg for diet, the microbiome, and health.
I guess, against my instincts, I need to eat that kale and broccoli. I will also be quite judicious about antibiotics for myself and my patients, as I don’t want to upset the balance of microbes in my gut.
Thank you for joining me today for this look at long Covid and the gut microbiome. Please consider signing up to follow this blog.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
