How Your Gut Health Holds the Key to Immunity: Insights from Prof. Siew Ng

Beat URTIs This Flu Season with Groundbreaking Gut Science

Flu Season Is Here – And It’s Not Always Mild

Each year, seasonal influenza infects up to a billion people, causing 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths globally [1]. In Malaysia, flu spikes every January and July [2], making this the time to act.

A True Story

“I almost died from the flu—my kidneys and lungs failed. My arms and legs had to be amputated.” [3]
– Kristin Fox, 42, USA

Myth: “Sickness Is Just About the Virus”

Fact: Your Immune System Makes All the Difference

Her team discovered that patients with poor gut health—marked by dysbiosis—had weaker immune responses. This challenges the common belief that sickness severity is purely due to the virus. In fact, it’s often our immune system that determines how mild or severe an infection becomes.

And because 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, your microbiota plays a central role in protecting you, not just from COVID-19, but also from flu, RSV, and other URTIs.

Why Gut Health Matters More Than You Think

According to Prof. Siew Ng, gastroenterologist and co-founder of G-NiiB:

The Hidden Threat: Gut Dysbiosis

Many of us unknowingly suffer from gut dysbiosis—an imbalance where harmful bacteria outweigh beneficial ones. Modern lifestyles, stress, poor diets, and antibiotics are to blame.

Prof. Siew Ng’s research in Hong Kong found that 80% of seemingly healthy individuals had gut dysbiosis, leaving them more vulnerable to infections and weakened immunity.

Although specific gut microbiome studies in Malaysia are still emerging, Malaysia’s rising flu and infection rates suggest that gut dysbiosis could be a hidden health threat here as well.

Introducing SIM01: Precision Probiotics Backed by Science

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Ng led the development of SIM01, a next-generation synbiotic (probiotic + prebiotic) formula powered by:

  • AI & Metagenomics: Customized for Asian gut profiles.
  • Triple-Probiotic Blend: With strains scientifically proven to fight inflammation and restore balance.
  • Microencapsulation: Ensures live bacteria survive stomach acid and reach your gut intact.

B. adolescentis (BA), the star strain in SIM01, is a rare, age-sensitive microbe not found in food but essential for immune resilience.

What is URTI, and How Can SIM01 Help?

URTI is an upper respiratory tract infection in the upper part of your respiratory system, which includes your nose, sinuses, and throat. It is caused by bacteria or viruses like Influenza A and B virus (the ‘Flu), SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [4].

[5], [6], [7], [8], [9].

In one study with 500 long COVID patients, those taking SIM01 reported:

  • Better digestion
  • Reduced fatigue
  • Sharper focus and memory
  • Overall well-being

Real Cases, Real Results

Case 1: COVID Cleared in Just 24 Hours!

A young man in his early 30s came in with severe COVID symptoms—high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

He was given high-dose SIM01 for a few weeks. Remarkably, his viral load dropped within 24 hours, his antibody levels surged, and he recovered rapidly.

Case 2: The Immune Camper

During a camping trip with 10 friends, only one person had been taking SIM01 regularly for 3 months.
When COVID swept through the group, infecting 8 others, he was the only one who remained virus-free— suggesting SIM01 had successfully strengthened his immune defence.

Prof. Siew Ng’s 5 Gut-Immune Tips

1. Eat prebiotic-rich foods: Bananas, onions, garlic, and asparagus contain lots of prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in our gut and help them multiply.

2. Add fermented foods:  Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi support a healthy balance of gut flora. 

3. Exercise regularly: Even light movement improves microbial diversity [10].

4. Minimize antibiotic use: Only when necessary. They wipe out good microbes, too.

5. Take proven probiotics: Choose products like SIM01, backed by clinical trials.

Watch the full interview with Prof. Siew Ng here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kI_VcXwUMdIPcrnpMhu06f0Ca3GPV9yc/view?usp=sharing

Start Your Recovery with SIM01

Strengthen your gut health and banish URTI symptoms today with SIM01. 

Choose:

  • 7-Day Starter Pack – Feel relief from sore throat, fatigue, or gut discomfort.
  • Twin Pack (2 x 28 days) – For long-term immunity and reinfection prevention.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

References:

[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)#:~:text=There%20are%20around%20a%20billion%20cases%20of%20seasonal,290%20000%20to%20650%20000%20respiratory%20deaths%20annually.

[2] https://rightways.wordpress.com/2025/02/21/interactive-coughs-fevers-and-a-growing-concern-for-influenza-in-malaysia/

[3] The Terrifying Consequences of the Flu: A Survivor’s Story of Overcoming the Odds – Archyde

Ohio woman who lost all four limbs to flu complications speaks out to raise awareness | Fox News

[4] Upper Respiratory Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

[5] Zhang L, Su Q, Lau RI, et al. Gut microbiota-derived synbiotic formula (SIM01) as a novel adjuvant therapy for COVID-19: an open-label pilot study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;37(5):823-831. 

[6] Zhang L, Su Q, Lau RI, et al. Gut microbiota-derived synbiotic formula (SIM01) as a novel adjuvant therapy for COVID-19: an open-label pilot study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;37(5):823-831. 

Wong MCS, Lau RWI, Liu Q, et al. Effects of gut microbiome modulation on reducing adverse health outcomes among elderly and diabetes patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (IMPACT Study). Nutrients. 2023;15(8):1982. 

Lau, Raphaela I et al. A synbiotic preparation (SIM01) for post-acute COVID-19 syndrome in Hong Kong (RECOVERY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024; Volume 24, Issue 3, 256 – 265.

[7] Lee M, Chang EB, Kim S. Short-chain fatty acids facilitate protective immunity by macrophages and T cells during acute fowl adenovirus-4 infection. Sci Rep. 2023; 13:17999. 

[8] Wong MCS, Lau RWI, Liu Q, et al. Effects of gut microbiome modulation on reducing adverse health outcomes among elderly and diabetes patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (IMPACT Study). Nutrients. 2023;15(8):1982. 

[9] Su Q, Lau RI, Liu Q, et al. Antibiotics and probiotics impact gut antimicrobial resistance gene reservoir in COVID-19 patients. Gut Microbes. 2022;14(1): e2128603. 

[10] Exercise has the guts: How physical activity may positively modulate gut microbiota in chronic and immune-based diseases – ScienceDirect

Physical Exercise and the Gut Microbiome: A Bidirectional Relationship Influencing Health and Performance – PMC

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Our Blog