FastCoV: Study on the potential benefits of fasting for long Covid treatment
The project at a glance
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Start date:01 Feb 2024
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Duration in months:47
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Funding:University of Luxembourg, Direction de la Santé
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Principal Investigator(s):Jochen SCHNEIDERCharles Benoy (external)Raquel Gómez Bravo (external)
Long COVID syndrome is a post-acute complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurs in up to 10% of cases and represents a significant threat to public health. The duration and severity of long COVID vary widely. Among the most common symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, pain, and cognitive impairment, which can significantly affect daily activities and quality of life. While promising pharmaceutical interventions are in development, their efficacy remains unproven. Therefore, alternative therapeutic solutions are urgently needed.
Fasting diets are emerging as a potentially effective and accessible treatment. They target inflammatory processes and the imbalance of the gut microbiome, two hallmarks of the long COVID syndrome.
The FastCoV research project
This project explores fasting as an effective treatment option for long COVID syndrome by investigating the effects of a calorie restriction regimen on symptoms.
A pilot phase of 20 participants will assess the feasibility of a larger randomised controlled clinical trial. Over seven days, participants undergo a supervised fasting programme. Based on the results of the pilot phase, 64 additional patients will be recruited for the main clinical trial. They will undergo the same fasting protocol, after which one group of participants will return to their routine diet. In contrast, another group will follow an anti-inflammatory diet.
This study aims to provide high-quality evidence on the effects of caloric restriction on symptoms of the long COVID syndrome and the health status of those affected. It will also analyse if the potential benefits of fasting can be maintained over a longer period of time. The results of this study could lead to the development of tailored interventions for this complex condition.
Main project goals
An effective treatment option
The primary objective of this project is to provide an effective treatment option for patients who currently have no therapeutic alternatives.
Understanding biological mechanisms
Evaluate the biological changes induced by caloric restriction and their impact on the underlying disease mechanisms.
Gut microbiome composition and function
Investigate changes in the gut microbiome and their impact on metabolic and immunological function and cognitive performance through the gut-brain axis.
Physiological & psychological symptoms
Assessment of improvements in patients’ perceived physical and psychological well-being using questionnaires, interviews, and clinical assessments.
‟ This study investigates the potential effect of fasting on the
symptoms of long COVID syndrome and how it can improve the
health and quality of life of patients.”
Assistant professor / Senior research scientist, Medical Translational Research group
Project team
- Jochen SCHNEIDER, PI
- Charles Benoy, PI, Centre Hospitalier Neuro-Psychiatrique CHNP (external)
- Raquel Gómez Bravo, PI, Centre Hospitalier Neuro-Psychiatrique CHNP (external)
- Marta SANCHEZ CASTRO, Project member
- Maria Angeliki PAVLOU, Project member
- Paul WILMES, Project member
- Andreas Michalsen, Project member, University Clinic of Naturopathy at the Charité of Berlin (external)
- Daniela Koppold, Project member, University Clinic of Naturopathy at the Charité of Berlin (external)