Yogurt May Prevent Allergies

If you have allergies, you know how much of an inconvenience they can be. Watery eyes, itchy nose and scratchy throat seem to be a way of life for many when allergy season is upon us. For those who have mild allergies, relief can be found in either over the counter or prescription medications. Yet for some people, nothing seems to work. Maybe the latter can find help in probiotics. Probiotic bacteria are living micro-organisms that are found in foods like yogurt.

New research indicates that probiotics can help prevent young children from developing allergies. The results came from a study conducted by Finnish researchers led by Emma Marschan, at the University of Helsinki.They chose 1223 women who were eight months pregnant and gave them either probiotics or a placebo daily. The women either had allergies or a significant other who did. That way the researchers would know that the unborn babies would likely be genetically predisposed to allergies. The women continued taking probiotics or placebos until six months after their babies were born. When doctors did blood tests on the infants, they found that the babies who were exposed to probiotics had a 50% higher level of a protein that boosts the immune system, making them less susceptible to allergies. They were also less likely to have eczema which is often an early indicator of allergies.

It would be great if probiotics can do the same for older children and adults. It’s a healthy alternative to medicines that most likely has other health related benefits.