Abstract: Article A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Concentrated Phytochemical-Rich Nutritional Capsule in Addition to a Probiotic Capsule on Clinical Outcomes among Individuals with COVID-19—The UK Phyto-V Study Robert Thomas 1,2, * , Madeleine Williams 1 , Jeffrey Aldous 3 , Yuuki Yanagisawa 1 , Rajeev Kumar 1 , Rachel Forsyth 4 and Angel Chater 3 1 2 3 4 *



 Citation: Thomas, R.; Williams, M.; Aldous, J.; Yanagisawa, Y.; Kumar, R.; Forsyth, R.; Chater, A. A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Concentrated Phytochemical-Rich Nutritional Capsule in Addition to a Probiotic Capsule on Clinical Outcomes among Individuals with COVID-19—The UK Phyto-V Study. COVID 2022, 2, 433–449. https://doi.org/10.3390/ covid2040031 Academic Editor: Simone Brogi Received: 5 February 2022 Accepted: 17 March 2022 Published: 22 March 2022 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trusts, Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford MK42 9DJ, UK; madeleine.williams@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk (M.W.); yuuki.yanagisawa@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk (Y.Y.); rajeev.kumar@bedordhospital.nhs.uk (R.K.) Addenbrooke’s Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trusts, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK Institute of Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), Bedford Campus, University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue, Bedford MK41 9EA, UK; jeffrey.aldous@beds.ac.uk (J.A.); angel.chater@beds.ac.uk (A.C.) Department of English, The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK; rf451@cam.ac.uk Correspondence: robert.thomas@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk; Tel.: +44-(0)1234-795787 or +44-(0)7715-110919 Abstract: Gut microflora dysbiosis affects the majority of individuals after COVID-19, contributing to both gastro-intestinal (GI) and non-GI symptoms. Natural phytochemicals have reported anti-viral properties and favourable effects on inflammatory and oxidative pathways, both important for tissue damage post-viral pneumonia. This study involved 147 participants with symptomatic COVID-19, randomised to receive a placebo (P) or a phytochemical-rich concentrated food capsule (PC) in addition to a pre/probiotic lactobacillus capsule. Participants taking the PC had an almost two-fold reduction in mean fatigue scores compared to P [p = 0.02], a three-fold reduction in cough score and more than a double improvement in overall well-being scores [p = 0.02]. Two (1.5%) participants reported mild, increased bloating which they felt was attributable to the capsules, although GI symptoms improved in 25 of 31 participants (82%) who reported them at baseline. Sedentary, older, previously hospitalised men with GI symptoms had a statistically significantly improvement among those given the probiotic. Although some participants with early disease would have improved spontaneously, such a rapid improvement observed in the majority of participants, who had been suffering for an average of 108 days, was clinically relevant and welcomed, especially among those more likely to have pre-existing gut dysbiosis. We are now evaluating whether this blend could also enhance antibody titres post-COVID-19 vaccination. Keywords: probiotic; COVID-19; gut-health; long-COVID-19 published maps and institutional affiliations.