Probiotics reduce self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in overweight and obese adults: should we be considering probiotics during viral pandemics?

Gut microbiome manipulation to alter the gut-lung axis may potentially protect humans against respiratory infections, and clinical trials of probiotics show promise in this regard healthy adults children. However, comparable studies are lacking overweight/obese people, who have increased risks particular viral upper tract infections (URTI). This Addendum further analyses our recent placebo-controlled trial people (focused initially on weight loss) investigate impact upon occurrence URTI symptoms. As well as undergoing loss improvement certain metabolic parameters, study participants taking experienced a 27% reduction symptoms versus control, with those ≥45 years or BMI ≥30 kg/m2 experiencing greater reductions. symptom is apparent within 2 weeks probiotic use. diversity remained stable throughout probiotic-treated participants. Our data provide support for assess potential role preventing (and possibly also COVID-19), particularly people.