Yogurt
IN PHOTO: Volunteers line up yogurt boxes to be distributed at Casa NGO in Azeitao, 25 km (15 miles) south of Lisbon January 17, 2013. Casa NGO is one of a dozen organizations in Portugal helping needy people by distributing warm meals collected from restaurants and basic goods. Picture taken January 17, 2013. REUTERS/Jose Manuel Ribeiro

Probiotics are known to be beneficial to the digestive system, but a new study suggests that it can do more than just that. The April published study found in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology shows that the good bacteria can also help with allergies.

The study was headed by Dr. Justin Turner, an ear-nose-and-throat specialist from Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Tennessee. Researchers study available data taken from 23 randomised trials with 1,900 participants. Seventeen of these trials show that those with seasonal allergies were relieved by probiotics.

The participants showed improved symptoms either from using probiotic supplements or consuming food items rich in probiotics. The study compared those people with seasonal allergies taking probiotics and those that are taking a placebo. According to a report from Live Science, researchers also noted that out of the 23 trials, six showed that probiotics were not beneficial in relieving symptoms of hay fever.

The studies used various live bacteria strains given at different dosages. Researchers also used different formulations of probiotic supplement given at different time frames. All these factors make it difficult for researchers to make formal recommendations on the use of probiotics for people suffering from seasonal allergies, according to Turner.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation, or AAFA, states that roughly 50 million Americans experience all kinds of allergies, including allergy to dander, pollen, food and drugs. Allergy also ranks 5th among chronic diseases in U.S. in all age groups and ranks 3rd in chronic diseases among people below 18 years old.

Even though the new study shows the effectiveness of probiotics in relieving allergy symptoms, they cannot replace the standard treatments for the condition, according to Turner. He believes there is a need to perform more studies before doctors advise or discourage use of probiotics to treat seasonal allergies.

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