Probiotic Supplements as Remedies for Allergies

I started writing this post and realized it was so boring, even I didn't want to read it over! So I'm taking a different approach. First, remember that I'm not a doctor or a microbiologist. (Ruth is a microbiologist and this is what she says about probiotics!)

I did a ton of research on this probiotic supplement thing and I'm sharing the highlights in a way that is a lot less technical and academic. If you feel like checking out the sources, I've included them at the end.

Studies have proven that probiotics can be effective in treating allergies by changing the "ecosystem" within our GI system. But each strain of probiotic is different and that many different factors will contribute to its effectiveness in treating different conditions. Studies went into great detail about this effectiveness being linked to where in the GI tract these different strains tended to colonize and how well they could attach to the walls of the intestines (fascinating!).

• Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria affects allergic inflammation

• oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosis GG worked against eczema and shortened rotavirus diarrhea in infants

• Lactobacillus reuteri downregulates the effects of L. casei

• Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 was also effective against diarrhea in infants

The above links take you to possible sources for supplements containing these specific probiotic strains. Consider consulting with a nutritionist or naturopath as well as taking some of this info to your pediatrician.

sources: Salminen, Seppo J., Miguel Guemonde, and Erika Isolauri, "Probiotics That Modify Disease Risk," The Journal of Nutrition, 2005.

Isolauri, E., Rautava S., Kalliomaki, M., Kirjavainen, P. and Salminen, S., "role of Probiotics in Food Hypersensitivity," Curr. Opin. Allergy Clin. Immun., 2002.

Kalliomaki, M., Salminen, S., Arvilommi, H., Kero, P. Koskinen, P and Isolauri, E., "Probiotics in the Prevention f Atopic Diseases: a Randomised Pacebo-controlled Trial," Lancet, 2002.

Hattori, K., Yamamoto, A., Sasai, M., Taniuchi, S., Kojima, T., Kobayashi, Y., Iwamoto, H., Namba, K and Yaeshima, T, "Effects of Administration of Bifidobacteria on Fecal Microflora and CLinical Symptoms in Infants with Atopic Dermatitis," Arerugi, 2003.

Guandalini, S., Pensabene, L., Zikri, M., Dias, J., Casali, L., Hoekstra, H., Kolacek S., Massar, K., Micetic-Turk, D. et al, "Lactobacillus GG administered in an Oral Rehydration Solution to Children with Acute Diarrhea: a Multicenter European Trial," J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr., 2000.

Isolauri, E., Juntunen, M., Rautanen, T., Sillanaukee, P. and Koivula, T., "A Human Lactobacillus Strain (Lactobacillus casei sp strain GG) Promotes Recovery from Acute Diarrhea in Children," Pediatrics, 1991.