Probiotics may boost immune system against allergies
Pregnant women who take probiotics may be helping to reduce their children's risk of allergies, scientists have said.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland gave daily probiotics or a placebo to 1,223 women who were eight months pregnant.
All of the women either suffered from allergies themselves, or had a partner with allergies.
The scientists examined their children and found that the blood of probiotic-treated infants contained 50 per cent higher levels of key proteins that stimulate the immune system.
They were also nearly a third less likely to develop atopic eczema, which is frequently linked to allergies.
The findings are published in New Scientist magazine and Anthony Horner, an immunologist at the University of California in San Diego, told the Press Association that probiotics "are probably closely mimicking the effects of regularly eating unpasteurised and unsterilised food".
Probiotics also help to encourage a healthy digestive system and regulate bowel movements.
Pregnant women who take probiotics may be helping to reduce their children's risk of allergies, scientists have said.
