AMSTERDAM, May 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
New research from Griffith University,
Australia, published today in the Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine, shows a multispecies-probiotic formulation
to improve the quality of life of hay fever patients.
Study details
The researchers investigated whether the probiotic formulation
Ecologic® AllergyCare (Winclove Probiotics B.V.,
The Netherlands), could benefit
hay fever patients. In previous research the probiotic has shown to
reduce eczema in children, another disease in the spectrum of
atopic disorders. The researchers gave 40 hay fever patients
the probiotic twice daily for a period of eight weeks. The patients
were asked to report hay fever symptoms, medication use, and rated
their quality of life. At the end of the study, 63% of the
participants taking the probiotic reported a significantly improved
quality of life. Importantly, patients experienced less severe hay
fever symptoms and used fewer medications.
Nic West, lead author of the
research from Griffith University;
"What is very promising is that we saw great consistency
among study outcomes. Key rhinitis measurements along with symptom
severity and medication load, all decreased during the study. The
positive study outcomes might be explained by the multistrain
nature of the probiotic. We know that in allergies there is a
reduction in microbial diversity. By exposing people to a
multistrain formulation, with a broad number of probiotic bacteria,
we may have a stronger effect on the immune system."
Impact
Hay fever is a global health problem affecting between 10% - 30% of
the population, with increasing prevalence. Hay fever has a serious
impact on daily life and presents a substantial financial burden to
patients and the healthcare system. Although not a life-threatening
disease on its own, uncontrolled hay fever can increase the risk of
life threatening asthma during high pollen events, such as storms.
Current treatment options, such as antihistamines, are costly, may
not completely resolve symptoms and do not tackle the underlying
cause.
West: "There is increasing evidence that show probiotics have a
positive effect on the mucosal immune system, particularly in
relation to allergies, and this evidence is going to grow. In the
future, probiotics are likely to play an integral role in helping
people manage their hay fever. Preventative use of probiotics in
the long term can help control the severity of symptoms."