IMI - Integrated Medicine Institute, Asia's largest natural health clinic, is pleased to announce the availability of G-NiiB Immunity Pro and G-NiiB Immunity Plus probiotic formulas designed to tackle gut bacterial imbalances (dysbiosis) - a widespread health issue linked to poor antibody response to COVID vaccinations[i], severity of COVID-19 symptoms[ii], and development of long COVID[iii], according to research by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
In a press release by CUHK, Professor Francis KL CHAN, Dean of Medicine and Director of the Centre for Gut Microbiota Research at CUHK remarked, "Gut dysbiosis is an important marker of impaired immunity. Our study findings showed 40% of Hong Kong people had evidence of significant dysbiosis comparable to that of COVID-19 patients, which is alarming to us. We should take immediate action to restore the balance in gut microbiota and hence to help the public boost immunity against the threats of emerging infections such as COVID-19."[iv]
The G-NiiB oral microbiome immunity formulas were developed by the CUHK team after its world-first study highlighted a deficiency of certain good bacteria paired with an excess of bad bacteria in the guts of COVID-19 patients. The greater the gut bacteria imbalance (more than 100 trillion or so 'good' and 'bad' bacteria collectively known as gut microbiota live in the gut), the more severe were the symptoms during and after infection.
A deficiency in good gut bacteria Bifidobacterium adolescentis has also been linked to poor efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines SinoVac and BioNTech, according to joint research by CUHK and the University of Hong Kong (HKU)[i]. Given 40% of local Hong Kongers have significant dysbiosis and 85% are either lacking or missing Bifidobacterium adolescentis[v], it's become even more critical to restore the bacterial balance, researchers advise.
Made up of three probiotics and three prebiotics, G-NiiB Immunity Pro and G-NiiB Immunity Plus are dietary supplements designed to replenish carefully selected bacterial strains in the gut. Gut microbiota can help prime immunity and prevent the development of a chronic imbalance in immune reactions. Given its clinical strength G-NiiB Immunity Pro (10 billion CFU/sachet) is a prescription-only probiotic available upon consultation with one of the naturopaths. To schedule a consultation, called +852 2523 7121 or visit www.imi.com.hk
G-NiiB Immunity Plus (2 billion CFU/sachet) is available at our in-clinic dispensary or online at https://shop.imi.com.hk. This formula is suitable for both adults and children.
For guidance on which supplement is right, please consult with one of the naturopaths. This is especially relevant for people who have digestive issues.
At a Glance: CUHK's research findings
An alarming 40% of the local population have medium to severe microbial imbalance in their gut, which also affects their immunity.
Compared to people without COVID-19, patients had higher levels of unfavourable bacteria like Ruminococcus gnavus, Ruminococcus torques and Bateroides dorei species and lower levels of beneficial bacteria like Faecaibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The severity of the imbalance closely correlated to the severity of disease in COVID-19 patients.
Bacterial imbalances in the gut persist long after the virus has left the body and are associated with 'Long COVID'*. 80% of recovered patients with dysbiosis suffer from at least one symptom six months on and a third suffer from more than three symptoms. These lingering symptoms include fatigue, memory loss, shortness of breath, hair loss, and sleep difficulties.
People lacking gut bacteria Bifidobacterium adolescentis showed poor antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines. 57% of participants who took the Sinovac vaccine and had a poor antib...
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