Yahoo LifestyleNew pregnancy probiotic breakthrough could beat childhood allergies
A specific strain of probiotics taken in pregnancy could prevent babies developing allergies and asthma
A new supplement containing a strain of probiotic known as LAB 4 could be the answer to the increasing allergy epidemic in the UK. The probiotic, taken during pregnancy (from 36 weeks) and for the first six months of the baby’s life, has been found to reduce the risk of common allergic reactions by around 50 per cent.
Allergic conditions such as asthma, rhinitis (an allergic reaction that causes itchy nose and sneezing) and eczema have trebled in the past two decades, and children are the most affected. It’s thought that around 40 per cent of children and 30 per cent of adults currently struggle with one or more of these common allergies.
[Related article: Got hay fever? Then you might be allergic to your healthy snacks]
This study, by the College of Medicine at Swansea University, involved 454 mother-baby pairs, who were given a daily dose of a Lab 4 probiotic supplement ProVen. The babies were examined at age two and found to be 50 per cent less likely to suffer from allergies to common allergens such as pollen, cats, dust mites, cow’s milk and eggs. They were also 60 per cent less likely than average to have atopic eczema.
“There’s no doubt that allergies are on the increase and doctors, like others, feel powerless to stop the rise,” said Dr. Carol Cooper, GP and parenting writer. In children, eczema and hay fever have soared and now affect around three times as many youngsters as 20 years ago. This trial shows that the development of allergies could be tackled at a young age and this result is significant.”
LAB 4 capsules contain a mixture of four types of probiotic (Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium animalis subs. Lactis; and bifidobacterium bifidum if you want to know their technical names!) and are a new variation on those that have previously been available.
Lowri Turner has also been impressed with ProVen’s breakthrough, saying, “Thanks to this new research, we can now offer mums concrete advice on how to prevent passing on allergies to their infants.”
