Evidence of an important association between healthy intestinal bacterial flora and autoimmune disorders, including allergies, continues to grow. Supplementation with probiotics, or live colonies of beneficial gut bacteria, has been shown to positively influence the immune system, and could help mediate the increased incidence of allergy and autoimmunity associated with excessive hygiene. Probiotics have been reported to be helpful in the treatment and prevention of food allergies in children and the prevention of atopic eczema. A recent study published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy provides new evidence to suggest that probiotics may also have potential for the prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). With as many as 40 million Americans suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms, this research could prove extremely beneficial.
The study examined the effects of one specific strain of bacteria – Lactobacillus casei. This species of bacteria has been widely studied for its health-promoting properties and is commonly included in probiotic supplements. 20 individuals suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis were given either an L. casei containing supplement or a placebo for 5 months. Over the five month period, supplementation with L. casei bacteria was found to have systemic effects on anti-body responses, modulate cytokine production and modulate non-specific immunity. Specifically, these effects included significantly lower levels of IL-5, IL-6, and IFN-gamma – cytokines that are related to the initiation of allergic responses, as well as lower levels of pollen-specific IgE – an antibody that is crucial to the generation of allergy symptoms. This study is just the beginning; research into the beneficial effects of probiotics on allergies continues. Future studies will examine the influence of probiotics on the manifestation of allergy symptoms as well as their mechanism of action.
Ivory K, Chambers SJ, Pin C, Prieto E, Arqués L and Nicoletti C. Oral delivery of Lactobacillus casei Shirota modifies allergen-induced immune responses in allergic rhinitis. Clinical and Experimental Allergy ; 2008: 38, 1282-1289.
For more information on probiotics see Advanced Biotics
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