Chinese University of Hong Kong scientists create G-NiiB formula after research shows good gut bacteria can reduce the severity of COVID-19 and likelihood of long COVID and may enhance immune antibody response to COVID vaccinations.

G-NiiB Immunity Pro and G-NiiB Immunity Plus probiotic formulas are designed to tackle gut bacterial imbalances (dysbiosis) – a widespread health issue linked to poor antibody response to COVID vaccinations, and development of long COVID, 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.”

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). Given 40% of local Hong Kongers have significant dysbiosis and 85% are either lacking or missing Bifidobacterium adolescentis, 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 send us a message here.

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 our naturopaths – especially if you 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 antibody response lacked Bifidobacterium adolescentis. Among people who took the BioNTech shot, the 25 per cent with the lowest antibody level also lacked the bacteria.
• Bifidobacterium adolescentis is very low or missing altogether in 85% of otherwise healthy Hong Kong people. 

How to increase beneficial gut bacteria Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Faecaibacterium prausnitzi and support a healthy, balanced gut microbiota

G-NiiB Immunity Pro and G-NiiB Immunity Plus contain Bifidobacterium adolescentis to restore gut microbiota, and boost immunity. CUHK’s researchers propose this may support COVID vaccine efficacy, for example when taken after booster shots.

Of course, a healthy diet is essential too. High polyphenol foods like blueberries and green tea are known to increase levels of Bifidobacteria while a high fibre diet that includes oats, wild rice, and most vegetables increases Faecaibacterium prausnitzi. 

Certain prebiotics can feed both Faecaibacterium and Bifidobacterium. To avoid harming these and other good bacteria, it helps to avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics. 

If anyone is wondering if they have or are susceptible to gut dysbiosis, IMI offers gut microbiome profiling.

The GI Map can determine both the Bifidobacterial and Faecaibacterium prausnitzii levels, as well as other key beneficial bacteria essential for a healthy gut microbiota. Connect with the naturopathic team for a consultation, to learn more about testing, and for data-backed advice on which formula is best for you. 

For more information and to schedule consultation, call our reception at 2523 7121 or send us a message here.

[i] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/joint-cuhk-hku-study-discovers-efficacy-of-covid-19-vaccines-correlates-with-a-probiotic-bacterium-bifidobacterium-adolescentis

[ii] Zuo T, Zhang F, Lui GCY, et al. Alterations in Gut Microbiota of Patients With COVID-19 During Time of Hospitalization. Gastroenterology 2020; 159(3): 944-55.e8

[iii] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cu-medicine-finds-new-evidence-for-link-between-gut-microbiome-and-covid-19-severity-microbiome-imbalance-might-influence-long-covid-risk

[iv] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/40-of-hong-kong-people-show-gut-dysbiosis-comparable-to-that-of-covid-19-patients-cuhk-microbiome-immunity-formula-hastens-recovery-of-covid-19-patients-and-offers-hope-to-boost-immunity

[v] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/joint-cuhk-hku-study-discovers-efficacy-of-covid-19-vaccines-correlates-with-a-probiotic-bacterium-bifidobacterium-adolescentis

[vi] https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/70/4/698.full.pdf [vii] Yuan et al, Multiple Early Factors Anticipate Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae, Cell (2022) DOI10.1016/j.cell.2022.01.014

G-NiiB益生菌 – 全球首個基於微免疫配方，現於IMI有售

研究顯示，腸道益菌可以降低新冠肺炎的嚴重程度和「長新冠」的可能性，並可增強對新冠肺炎疫苗的免疫抗體反應後，故此香港中文大學(Chinese University of Hong Kong)科學家研發了G-NiiB配方。

香港2022年2月16日 /美通社/ — 亞洲最大的自然療法診所IMI – Integrated Medicine Institute宣佈提供香港中文大學研發的「微生態免疫力配方」G-NiiB Immunity Pro和G-NiiB Immunity Plus益生菌配方， 協助有需要人士解決腸道益菌失衡（失調）— 這是一個普遍的健康問題，與新冠肺炎疫苗抗體不良反應[i]、新冠肺炎症狀的嚴重程度[ii]和「長新冠」的發展[iii]相關（據香港中文大學開展的研究顯示）。

中大醫學院院長兼腸道微生物群研究中心主任陳家亮教授指出：「腸道微生態失衡，是免疫力下降的重要指標。我們的研究發現，四成港人出現腸道微生態失衡，情況與新冠肺炎患者類似，表示市民大眾的健康已響起警號，情況值得關注。我們必須採取行動，改善腸道微生態失衡，從而增強免疫力，抵抗如新冠肺炎的新發傳染病。」[iv]

G-NiiB口服「微生態免疫力配方」由香港中文大學團隊研發，該團隊開展了全球首項研究，強調新冠肺炎病人腸道中缺乏某些「益菌」，但卻存在過量的「壞菌」。腸道細菌失衡越嚴重（超過100萬億個左右的「益菌」和「壞菌」，統稱為腸道微生物群），感染期間和之後的症狀就越嚴重。

根據香港中文大學和香港大學共同開展的研究，缺乏益菌青春雙歧桿菌也與新冠肺炎疫苗SinoVac和BioNTech的療效不佳有關[i]。研究人員建議，鑒於40%香港人存在明顯的腸道益菌生態失調，85%的人沒有足夠的或完全沒有青春雙歧桿菌[v]，恢復細菌平衡變得更為重要。

G-NiiB Immunity Pro和G-NiiB Immunity Plus由三種益生菌和三種益生元組成，是膳食補充劑，旨在補充腸道中特殊的菌株。腸道微生物群可以幫助啟動免疫，防止免疫反應慢性失衡的發展。鑒於其臨床優勢，G-NiiB Immunity Pro（100億CFU/袋）是一個須處方的益生菌配方，可透過諮詢自然療法醫師獲得。要安排諮詢，請致電+852 2523 7121或瀏覽：www.imi.com.hk。

G-NiiB Immunity Plus（20億CFU/袋）可在IMI診所內藥房或瀏覽https://shop.imi.com.hk網上購買。此配方既適合成人，也適合兒童。

想要獲得有關自己適合使用哪種補充劑的建議，請諮詢自然療法醫師。這對存在消化系統問題的病人尤其重要。

香港中文大學研究結果一覽：

• 40%本地人口的腸道存在中等到嚴重程度的微生物失衡，而這也會影響他們的免疫力。
• 與沒有感染新冠肺炎的人士相比，病人的活潑瘤胃球菌、扭鏈瘤胃球菌和擬桿菌屬等「壞菌」水平較高，而普拉梭菌、兩歧雙歧桿菌和青春雙岐桿菌等益菌水平較低。失衡的嚴重程度與新冠肺炎病人的疾病嚴重程度密切相關。
• 腸道內的細菌失衡在病毒離開身體後仍會持續很長時間，與「長新冠」有關*。80%生態失調康復病人會在六個月後至少出現一種症狀，而三分之一的病人會出現三種以上症狀。
• 這些揮之不去的症狀包括疲倦、記性差、失眠、呼吸困難和脫髮。缺乏腸道益菌青春雙岐桿菌的人士對新冠肺炎疫苗的抗體反應較差。57%服用Sinovac疫苗且抗體反應不佳的參與者正缺乏青春雙岐桿菌。
• 在接受BioNTech疫苗注射的人士中，其中25%抗體水平最低的人士也缺乏該益菌。
  研究中發現85%的市民腸道內缺乏或甚至完全失去青春雙歧桿菌。

如何增加腸道益菌青春雙岐桿菌和普拉梭菌，支持健康、平衡的腸道微生物群

G-NiiB Immunity Pro和G-NiiB Immunity Plus中含有青春雙岐桿菌，可恢復腸道微生物群，提高免疫力。香港中文大學的研究人員提出，這可以支持新冠肺炎疫苗的效力，例如在接種增強針後[i][vi]。

當然，健康的飲食也很重要。眾所周知，藍莓、綠茶等高多酚食物可提高雙歧桿菌的水平，而燕麥、菰米和大多數蔬菜等高纖維飲食可增加普拉梭菌。

某些益生元可同時增加普拉梭菌和雙歧桿菌，有助於避免使用不必要的抗生素，從而避免傷害這些益菌和其他「好菌」。

如果想知道自己是否患有或易受腸道生態失調的影響，IMI提供腸道微生群分析。GI Map可以確定雙歧桿菌和普拉梭菌的水平，以及對健康腸道微生物群所必需的其他關鍵的益菌。向自然療法醫師諮詢，瞭解更多關於測試的資訊，並獲得個人的專業分析和數據，協助訂製有關哪種配方最適合自己的建議。

欲瞭解更多資訊和安排諮詢，請致電+852 2523 7121。

*有關其他會增加「長新冠」風險的先決條件，請參閱：
Yuan et al，Multiple Early Factors Anticipate Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae, Cell (2022) DOI10.1016/j.cell.2022.01.014
除了上述腸道生態失調外，本研究還發現「長新冠」的易染病包括2型糖尿病和EB病毒（腺熱或「Mono」）和自身抗體。

[i] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/joint-cuhk-hku-study-discovers-efficacy-of-covid-19-vaccines-correlates-with-a-probiotic-bacterium-bifidobacterium-adolescentis

[ii] Zuo T、Zhang F、Lui GCY等。Alterations in Gut Microbiota of Patients With COVID-19 During Time of Hospitalization. Gastroenterology 2020; 159(3): 944-55.e8

[iii] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cu-medicine-finds-new-evidence-for-link-between-gut-microbiome-and-covid-19-severity-microbiome-imbalance-might-influence-long-covid-risk

[iv] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/40-of-hong-kong-people-show-gut-dysbiosis-comparable-to-that-of-covid-19-patients-cuhk-microbiome-immunity-formula-hastens-recovery-of-covid-19-patients-and-offers-hope-to-boost-immunity

[v] https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/joint-cuhk-hku-study-discovers-efficacy-of-covid-19-vaccines-correlates-with-a-probiotic-bacterium-bifidobacterium-adolescentis

[vi] https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/70/4/698.full.pdf