Probiotic Shows Promise as Allergy Relief

Researchers from England’s Institute of Food Research have found that a specific strain of probiotic bacteria can lessen the effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever. The results of this research were published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy,online ahead of print.

Over the course of their research, the British scientists found that volunteers treated with Lactobacillus casei Shirota showed a significant reduction in levels of antigen-induced cytokines compared with volunteers given a placebo. Those taking the probiotic also had increased levels of immunoglobulin G and decreased immunoglobulin E.

These findings led the researchers to conclude that “probiotic supplementation modulates immune responses in allergic rhinitis and may have the potential to alleviate the severity of symptoms.”