Probiotics Linked to Lower Risk of Allergies for Kids

Babies whose mothers take probiotics while pregnant and those who are given the so-called “good bacteria” supplements early in life may be at lower risk for allergies but not asthma than other kids, according to a new analysis of past studies.

Doctors don’t typically recommend for or against probiotics for pregnant women or young children, and it’s still too soon to make that leap, said senior author Dr. Erick Forno of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“Based on our findings, probiotics have a protective effect against allergies, but we still have things to learn before we can give general advice to the public,” he told Reuters Health in an email.

Bacteria living in the gut and digestive tract have been linked to immune system health. So getting enough probiotics – microorganisms like those in yogurt and yeast that have a beneficial effect on the balance of gut microbes – might logically help support a healthy immune system as well, researchers said.

Since allergies and asthma both spring from hypersensitive immune responses, several trials have set out to assess the effect of probiotic supplements on those conditions.

Article by Kathryn  Doyle: https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/22/us-probiotics-linked-to-lower-risk-of-al-idUSBRE97L0UK20130822

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