Probiotic supplements are sold over-the-counter to promote “good” bacteria in your digestive system, but a new study has found it can also help combat allergies, Science Daily reported Wednesday.
The University of Florida-conducted study divided 173 subjects into two groups. One took a placebo while the other, which took “the probiotic combination of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, sold as Kyo-Dophilus in stores” reported “improvements in quality of life” over those who took a placebo, Science Daily said.
“For example, participants suffered fewer allergy-related nose symptoms, which meant that they were less troubled during daily activities,” Science Daily noted.
In addition to self-reporting their allergy symptoms on a weekly basis, study subjects gave DNA samples throughout the course of the experiment. Researchers examined the DNA to monitor intestinal bacteria changes and to confirm that the probiotics had in fact been ingested.
None of the test subjects suffered from severe allergies but researchers are confident that mild allergy sufferers can derive some benefit from taking probiotics during allergy season.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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