 |
|
Hayfever hope
June 03, 2008With the peak grass pollen season approaching, scientists can reveal that a daily dose of probiotic can change the immune status of people with hay fever.
In the first human study of its kind, scientists at the Institute of Food Research found that probiotic bacteria in a daily drink can modify the immune system's response to grass pollen, a common cause of seasonal hay fever.
But they are not recommending that sufferers rush to the supermarket shelves just yet. The changes found may not have an immediate effect on symptoms.
"This was a pilot study based on small numbers of patients, but we were fascinated to discover a response", says research leader Professor Claudio Nicoletti. "The probiotic significantly reduced the production of molecules associated with allergy."
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen or fungal spores, most commonly grass pollen. The immune system mistakes the spores for harmful invaders and produces excessive amounts of the antibody IgE to bind to them and fight them off.
IgE stimulates the release of histamine to flush out the spores, and this irritates the airways making them swell and producing the symptoms of hayfever.
In this study, volunteers with a history of seasonal hay fever drank a daily milk drink with or without live bacteria over 5 months. The study was double-blinded and placebo controlled, so neither the volunteers nor the scientists knew who had been assigned the probiotic drinks. The probiotic drinks contained Lactobacillus casei, a bacterial species that has been widely studied for its health promoting properties.
Blood samples were taken before the grass pollen season, then again when it was at its peak (June), and 4 weeks after the end of season. There were no significant differences in levels of IgE in the blood between the two groups at the start of the study, but IgE levels were lower in the probiotic group both at the peak season and afterwards.
At the same times, levels of the antibody IgG were higher, a type of antibody that in contrast to IgE is thought to play a protective role against allergic reactions.
"The probiotic strain we tested changed the way the body's immune cells respond to grass pollen, restoring a more balanced immune response", says Dr Kamal Ivory, a senior member of the group.
The changes observed may also reduce the severity of symptoms, but clinical symptoms were not measured in this study. That is one aim of further research.
"These are really interesting results", says Dr Linda Thomas, head of science at Yakult UK, who provided the drinks and some of the funding. "We are delighted that independent scientists found evidence of this biological activity. The project was part of ongoing research into the benefits of our probiotic strain. The Institute of Food Research is well positioned to do this kind of fundamental research, as it is unique in having the right combination of expertise in microbiology, immunology, flow cytometry and human nutrition research."
Professor Nicoletti's group intend to perform a similar study in the near future to see if the immunological changes translate into a real reduction in the clinical symptoms of hayfever. They would also like to examine the mechanisms involved.
Norwich BioScience Institutes
"This was a pilot study based on small numbers of patients, but we were fascinated to discover a response", says research leader Professor Claudio Nicoletti. "The probiotic significantly reduced the production of molecules associated with allergy."
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen or fungal spores, most commonly grass pollen. The immune system mistakes the spores for harmful invaders and produces excessive amounts of the antibody IgE to bind to them and fight them off.
IgE stimulates the release of histamine to flush out the spores, and this irritates the airways making them swell and producing the symptoms of hayfever.
In this study, volunteers with a history of seasonal hay fever drank a daily milk drink with or without live bacteria over 5 months. The study was double-blinded and placebo controlled, so neither the volunteers nor the scientists knew who had been assigned the probiotic drinks. The probiotic drinks contained Lactobacillus casei, a bacterial species that has been widely studied for its health promoting properties.
Blood samples were taken before the grass pollen season, then again when it was at its peak (June), and 4 weeks after the end of season. There were no significant differences in levels of IgE in the blood between the two groups at the start of the study, but IgE levels were lower in the probiotic group both at the peak season and afterwards.
At the same times, levels of the antibody IgG were higher, a type of antibody that in contrast to IgE is thought to play a protective role against allergic reactions.
"The probiotic strain we tested changed the way the body's immune cells respond to grass pollen, restoring a more balanced immune response", says Dr Kamal Ivory, a senior member of the group.
The changes observed may also reduce the severity of symptoms, but clinical symptoms were not measured in this study. That is one aim of further research.
"These are really interesting results", says Dr Linda Thomas, head of science at Yakult UK, who provided the drinks and some of the funding. "We are delighted that independent scientists found evidence of this biological activity. The project was part of ongoing research into the benefits of our probiotic strain. The Institute of Food Research is well positioned to do this kind of fundamental research, as it is unique in having the right combination of expertise in microbiology, immunology, flow cytometry and human nutrition research."
Professor Nicoletti's group intend to perform a similar study in the near future to see if the immunological changes translate into a real reduction in the clinical symptoms of hayfever. They would also like to examine the mechanisms involved.
Norwich BioScience Institutes
Probiotic Current Events and Probiotic News RSSProbiotic Found to Be Effective Treatment for Colitis In Mice
The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis, a new study has found.
Eating right, not supplements, is best at keeping your good bacteria healthy, dietitian says
Healthy eating, not supplements, is the best way to keep the good bacteria in your gut healthy, says a dietitian and researcher.
GSU professor develops new method to help keep fruit, vegetables and flowers fresh
Did you know that millions of tons of fruits and vegetables in the United States end up in the trash can before being eaten, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture?
Designing probiotics that ambush gut pathogens
Researchers in Australia are developing diversionary tactics to fool disease-causing bacteria in the gut.
NYU Langone Medical Center researchers find altered micriobiome prevalent in the diseased esophagus
Gastroesophageal reflux diseases , or GERD, affects about 10 million people in the United States, yet the cause and an unexpected increase in its prevalence over the last three decades remains unexplainable.
Pinpointing cause of colic: UT Houston research identifies organism that could trigger constant crying
Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston say one organism discovered during their study may unlock the key to what causes colic, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby.
C. difficile spores spread superbug
New research suggests that antibiotic treatment could be asymptomatically inducing the transmission of the healthcare-acquired infection, C. difficile, contributing to the outbreaks that have recently been widely reported in hospitals and other settings.
Probiotics help gastric-bypass patients lose weight more quickly, Stanford study shows
New research from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Hospital & Clinics suggests that the use of a dietary supplement after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can help obese patients to more quickly lose weight and to avoid deficiency of a critical B vitamin.
An efficient approach to monitor gastrointestinal microflora changes
Pi-deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the most common digestive diseases and usually the equilibrium of gastrointestinal microflora are broken, which plays many important roles in the growth, development and performance of the host.
Study in pregnant women suggests probiotics may help ward off obesity
One year after giving birth, women were less likely to have the most dangerous kind of obesity if they had been given probiotics from the first trimester of pregnancy, found new research that suggests manipulating the balance of bacteria in the gut may help fight obesity.
More Probiotic Current Events and Probiotic News Articles
 |
Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls (90 Pearls) by Enzymatic This formula provides a combination of Acidophilus and Bididiobacterium species to support the overall health of the intestinal tract. |
 |
Accuflora- Probiotic Acidophilus Dietary Supplement, 240 Caplets by Northwest Natural Products Inc. Rich meals, dairy products, preservatives, stress, age and hormonal changes can all affect your bodys digestion. As a result you may experience stomach upset, bloating and changes in regularity. Accuflora® can help naturally improve your digestion and regulate your body's internal balance. |
 |
Align Daily Probiotic Supplement Capsules, 28-Count Box by Align "Daily probiotic supplement that naturally helps build and maintain a healthy digestive system, restore your natural balance, and protect against occasional digestive upsets* *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." html,body, a{padding:0; margin:0; height:100%;font-family:Arial;font-size:12.5px;color:#7D4C07;} #wrapper{width:605px;margin: auto;} #header{position:relative;background-image:url('http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/hpc/detail-page/pic_header_align_20091029_B000W4PNDS.jpg');width:605px;height:361px;} #headerLinks{position:absolute;top:240px;left:180px;width:300px;height:100px;} ... |
 |
Natrol BioBeads Probiotic Acidophilus Complex, Dietary Supplement, Beads, Value Size , 90 beads by Natrol Dietary Supplement. Strengthens the body's natural defenses. Strengthens the body's natural immunity. Guaranteed 1 billion live cultures. Helps maintain a healthy digestive tract. Helps ease temporary stomach discomfort associated with travel. Superior, Triple-Shell Protection: Natrol BioBeads are uniquely protected by an advanced triple shell that ensures viability through all three biophases - Biophase 1: Targeted-release technology helps guarantee BioBeads potency for 18 months on the shelf, and protects viable microflora all the way to ingestion. Biophase 2: Bead passes safely through the acidic stomach environment unharmed. Biophase 3: Inner layer gently breaks down, releasing proprietary blend of probiotics that helps support digestive health and immunity. No refrigeration needed.... |
 |
Garden of Life Primal Defense HSO Probiotics Formula, Caplets, 180-Count Bottle by Garden of Life Garden of Life Primal Defense HSO Probiotics Formula is a whole food dietary supplement. Primal Defense is a natural blend of 12 species of probiotics and Homeostatic Soil Organisms (HSOs), utilizing the Poten-Zyme process and delivered within a whole food matrix. The HSO probiotic blend in Primal Defense helps support normal gastrointestinal balance of good and potentially harmful bacteria to help maintain a balanced, healthy internal environment and maximizes the benefit of a healthy diet by supporting normal absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the gut. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Primal Defense is created using the following probiotic species or... |
 |
Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra Ultimate Probiotics Formula, Capsules, 90-Count Bottle by Garden of Life Garden of Life Probiotics Formula is a whole food dietary supplement. Delivers 15 Billion probiotic cells daily; broad spectrum protection with HSOs; and rapid release and delivery. UltraZorbe 100-percent vegetarian capsules and dairy free. Contains no artificial colors or preservatives. Probiotics (Pro = positive, biotic = life) are living microflora that play a critical role in maintaining good health. Present in many live foods but destroyed by heat processing, live probiotic cultures populate the intestinal tract where they play a positive role in digestive and immune health. Broad spectrum protection: Primal Defense ultra is the ultimate high potency, broad spectrum probiotic formula, made with 15 billion live cells per day and 13 species of beneficial cultures including soil-based... |
 |
Iflora Multi Probiotic 60 Capsules by Sedona Labs Many probiotic strains are needed to support good health, You take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement every day because your body needs all its vitamins and minerals. You take a daily multi-probiotic supplement for the same reason- your body needs more than just a few strains to stay healthy. Every day, the good, natural flora in your body is killed off by stress, junk food, medications, chlorinated water, and a toxic environment. This formula contains 16 strains that supplement natural flora colonies to promote digestive and immune health. This premier blend works in both the small and large intestine to maintain a helathy balance of good flora that also supports a healthy urinary tract, maintains normal bowel function, and promotes healthy skin. All strains survive stomach acid for... |
 |
Twinlab Super Probiotic, High Endurance Formula, Capsules, 30-Count Bottle by Twinlab Dietary supplement. Delivers 35x more live active cells to the intestinal tract than yogurt. Vegetarian capsule. Supports healthy digestive system and immune function. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help restore normal balance in the intestinal tract, thereby aiding normal digestion, supporting the immune system and promoting overall health. But not all probiotic supplements are created equal. Far from it. Probiotics are delicate live organisms and can easily be destroyed from factors during production or shipping, like excess heat. But the most dangerous risk posed to probiotics come from you - the digestive acids in your stomach create a harsh environment that can inactivate all or most of the probiotics you might ingest. Twinlab Super Probiotic contains GanedenBC30, a remarkable... |
 |
Sustenex with Ganeden-BC30, Probiotic, 30 Capsules by Sustenex Take one capsule daily with water. Sustenex contains Ganeden-BC30 a resilient powerful probiotic clinically proven to improve digestive health which colonizes the intestine. It survives stomach acidity and ensures that more beneficial bacteria reach the small intestine to facilitate digestion and stregthening of the immune system. |
 |
Threelac Probiotic Dietary Supplement, Natural Lemon Flavor, .053-Ounce Packets (Pack of 60) by GHT Global Health Trax Inc. This dietary supplement contains live lactic acid bacteria. Three types of live microorganisms support your healthy life. Living, life-filled lactic bacteria support your daily health and beauty. Threelac is a lemon-flavored, nutritional food supplement composed of three live bacteria: bacillus coagulans, bacillus subtilis and enterococcus faecalis. Additionally, Threelac contains fiber, yeast (as food for the bacteria), and vitamins, all added to support your daily health and wellness needs. Threelac is recommended not only for the maintenance of your daily health, but also to help address the digestion of those whose normal meals tend to be irregular and off-balance. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |