The COVID-19 pandemic is causing worries worldwide, partly due to the fact that it is a novel strain of the coronavirus and there is uncertainty of its transmission and treatment drugs. This is especially true for patients with chronic ailments such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol problems, as the risk of complications is heightened. So how should people protect themselves?
Dr Chia Boon Tat, one of the founders of Freshwerkz Pte Ltd, said that studies have shown that people with the above-mentioned diseases have weakened immunity and malnutrition, caused by imbalance of intestinal flora. Since 70% of the body’s immune cells are in the intestine, the health of the intestine will directly affect the immune system.
When people with chronic diseases take medications to manage their ailments, there may be side effects that come with the medications and this may weaken patients’ immune systems.
“The drugs used to treat diabetes, digestive diseases, bacterial infections, depression, and cancer can actually disrupt the balance of gut flora in patients, thereby damaging their immune systems and making them vulnerable to viruses”.
He said that some of the drug categories that have the greatest impact on the balance of the intestinal flora include:
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that reduce gastric acid production
- Metformin that help control the symptoms of type 2 diabetes
- Antibiotics that fight bacterial infections
- Laxatives that help treat constipation
- Antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
Studies have shown that people taking these drugs have more disease-related bacteria in their bodies. Therefore, for people with chronic diseases and long-term medication, it is important to maintain a balanced intestinal flora.
“It is especially important during the COVID-19 outbreak, because the immune system is the first line of defense against the virus,” he said.
How ProVie G may help people with metabolic syndrome
More than 20 years ago, Freshwerkz realized that the microbial flora has a direct impact on the immune system. Since then, they have developed a variety of health supplements such as ProVie G and Living Logic+ specifically for ailments such as diabetes, high cholesterol, mental deterioration and cancer.
Dr. Chia said that there are many bacteria in the gut, both good and bad. Bad bacteria will produce “endotoxin” (lipopolysaccharide). When endotoxin enters the blood and flows to other organs in the body, it will cause chronic inflammation of the body, increase insulin resistance, reduce blood sugar function, and cause the accumulation of adipose tissue, which may lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
In addition to probiotics and probiotics, ProVie G also contains fermented bitter gourd and moringa. Bitter gourd can effectively lower blood sugar, and the potassium content in it can also lower blood pressure. However, according to TCM, bitter gourd is deemed to be too “cooling”, so eating too much of it directly may hurt the spleen and stomach. Fermentation not only removes this unwanted effect, but also makes it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients.
Moringa leaves have high potassium content that can effectively prevent hypertension. It also reduces cholesterol in the body’s serum, cholesterol in the liver, and cholesterol in the kidney, and increases serum protein.
Dr. Chia continued, “We have found through experiments that the combination of bitter gourd and moringa is actually a perfect combination, because the two have synergistic medicinal properties. During the fermentation process, they can start the production of plant active enzymes and enhance the biochemical reaction of the microbial flora combined with the help of beneficial bacteria can effectively absorb the body and control the glucose and cholesterol. ”
He said that bitter gourd and moringa will produce prebiotics after fermentation, which will help the stomach and immunity. ProVie G not only optimize immunity, but also supports healthy levels of glucose and cholesterol.