Episode 28: But what about the Gut? Prof. Robert Thomas

More and more studies looking at the state of your gut microbiome and the risk of developing Long Covid have shown a correlation. Gut dysbiosis worsens symptoms in acute COVID-19 and increases chances of Long Covid, whilst the virus is shown to cause dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is the reduction in microbial diversity and a loss of beneficial bacteria. This recent study explains in detail what researchers think is going on: Gut Microbiome May Hold the Key

We talked to Professor Robert Thomas who has been studying the impact of gut health on COVID-19, and is leading the Phyto-V study to determine if nutritional interventions (in the form of a probiotic and a polyphenal supplement) could help shorten the severity or duration of illness for those infected with the virus. Thomas is a Consultant Oncologist at Bedfordshire Bedford and Addenbrookes Cambridge University Hospital Trusts and has a proven track record of finding a way to help the gut fight disease. Amongst his many studies, his research team have designed and conducted the worlds largest prospective lifestyle study in men with prostate cancer and he designed and conducted the world's first double blind RCT of a broad spectrum nutritional supplement for prostate cancer (The UK Pomi-T study).

In this session we look in detail at the state of the gut in Long Covid, how it affects the body, what exactly is ‘leaky gut’ and what we can do to try and support a recovery of the microbiome.

It is one of the more simple home therapies that we can employ to help our own recovery.

Professor Robert Thomas is also author of the book “How to Live”, described as a health bible for life, demystifying chronic illness and presenting the scientific theory of how some tweaks to our diet and lifestyle can change our lives.