The Surprising Benefits of Probiotics For Allergies

Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and itchiness are some symptoms of the common cold and allergic rhinitis. The cold is caused by a viral infection while the latter is due to allergens.

Probiotics have proven to have a beneficial effect on conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Let’s talk about the symptom-reducing power of these live microbes.

A Quick Look at Allergies

Allergies happen when a person’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance that enters the body. This substance is commonly referred to as an allergen, which can pollen, pet dander, and bee venom. It may also occur in people when eating particular foods and medicines.

Examples of allergies are allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. Rhinitis means ‘inflammation of the nose’, asthma is when there’s inflammation and muscle tightening around your airways, and atopic dermatitis is the medical name for eczema.

Allergic rhinitis is common in Singapore, particularly in children aged 4 to 17 years. 24% of the population is affected. The most common trigger for this condition is the exposure to dust mites. Next is cigarette smoke exposure.

The Link Between Gut Health and Allergies

Your gut is home to a large number of immune cells. About 70-80% of them are present in the gut. We all know that immune cells are cells that protect us from harmful microbes like bacteria and viruses.

Gut microbiome or the community of good bacteria living in your gut help with digestion and keeping your immune system balanced. If your gut health is poor, it can lead to an overactive immune system which might cause allergies.

Eating foods that are good for your gut improves gut health and potentially reduces symptoms of allergies (which is our main topic). In short, a healthy gut means a well-balanced immune system, further implying that there would be less allergic reactions.

How Probiotics Help With Allergies

Researchers believe that allergies impair the quality of life (Q0L) of those suffering from them, hence they are discovering alternatives for the treatment of allergic diseases and reducing allergic symptoms.

Beneficial microorganisms like probiotics are one way to improve gut health and lower the risk of disease. These microbes and our gut work together symbiotically. Over time, they may have evolved alongside our immune system and promote immune tolerance (helps prevent allergies and autoimmune diseases).

Probiotics support the body’s natural defences

They do this by triggering the immune system to respond based on what’s happening in the body and help keep a healthy balance between substances (called cytokines) that cause or reduce inflammation.

This means that probiotics act as a general support for the immune system.

Studies show that probiotics encourage the body to produce certain proteins that regulate the immune response and help reduce inflammation caused by an allergic reaction.

What are the “good” bacteria for allergies?

The immune benefits of probiotics mainly come from specific strains of the microbes, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They work best when taken in the right amounts and depend on the body’s needs and age.

In young children, their gut is still developing. So probiotics help build a healthy balance of bacteria that can protect against various illnesses.

Probiotics strengthen the body’s first line of defence, or known as the ‘innate immune system’. They help keep the gut lining intact and support cells that teach our immune system to react calmly to non-harmful triggers. Probiotics also trigger the production of antibodies like IgA.

For allergies, probiotics work by blocking harmful bacteria, neutralising toxins and strengthening the gut’s protective barrier. This way, they reduce allergic reactions (this reflects in symptoms too) and help our immune system mature in a balanced way.

The Use of Probiotics in Allergic Diseases

The rise in allergies like eczema may be linked to changes in gut bacteria in early life. Children who have allergies often have fewer “good” bacteria like Bifidobacterium and more harmful bacteria.

Symbiotics (probiotics+prebiotics) have shown to be beneficial against certain allergies, like reducing asthma symptoms.

The effectiveness of probiotics for allergies varies from one person to another. A person’s existing gut bacteria is a factor. Other factors include how well probiotics survive in their gut and some other biological features.

More research is needed for clear recommendations on their use as allergy treatment.

Choosing An Effective Probiotic Supplement

Deciding on a probiotic can be a bit tricky. Thus, here are factors you should consider before placing your order or finalising the product.

1. The product should have strains that have been scientifically proven to help with allergies. Examples are Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis.

2. CFU or colony forming units measure the number of viable bacteria in a probiotic. A higher CFU count doesn’t necessarily mean better, but a count of at least 1 billion CFUs per serving is generally recommended.

3. Double check the supplement if it doesn’t contain allergens that you might react to, like soy, gluten and dairy.

4. Some probiotics come with prebiotics (food for the probiotics) and other beneficial ingredients. Check the label to see if there are no unnecessary additives or fillers.

5. Buy supplements that have a long shelf life at room temperature.

6. Choose a brand that has been tested by a third party to ensure the quality and purity of the product.

7. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement. More important if you have allergies or other health conditions.

Tips for the Best Results

Here are helpful tips to apply to get the best results as you take probiotics for your allergies.

1. Take probiotics on an empty stomach. It is best to take them 30 minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal. Doing this helps the probiotics pass through your stomach and reach your intestines where they are most effective.

2. Take your probiotics at the same time every day.

3. Stick to the dosage instructions on the supplement label. Don’t take more than the recommended as it sometimes causes digestive upset.

4. Consistency over time is important for seeing the results you’re expecting.

5. Include prebiotics in your diet. These are fibres that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Great sources are bananas, onions, oats/whole grains.

6. A diet rich in fruits, veggies, healthy fats, proteins and minimally processed whole grains greatly benefits gut health.

Adjustments to Make

You may consider these adjustments to make the most of your regimen.

1. Exercise also supports a healthy gut microbiome. So why not commit to a moderate activity like walking or cycling?

2. Make sure that you get quality sleep at night. Poor sleep negatively affects your gut health and immune system.

3. Manage your stress, too.

4. Consider cleaning your home regularly. Ensure that your living space has good air quality.

Natural Balance with Nature’s Glory’s Probiotics

Nature’s Glory Flat Tummy combines the power of probiotics and prebiotics, proven and tested by millions of users. We also have collagen plus probiotics for skin, hair, nails, and joints and a probiotic formula containing a unique whole food blend.

All these are made from gentle formulas and are created to have maximum absorption in the gut.

Conclusion

To ensure that you are choosing the right probiotic for your needs, make sure you select a strain that aligns with your health goals and double-check the ingredients list for any potential allergens.

Then, complement your supplement with a balanced diet rich in prebiotic foods and commit to the adjustments we’ve talked about.

Don’t know where to start? Browse our probiotic products here or contact us for questions.