In yet another study showing the importance of healthy gut bacteria it is shown that probiotics during pregnancy and early in life reduce the incidence of IgE associated eczema. (think of IgE as the sort lived, quick onset reaction from foods, molds, animals etc.) This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 188 families with a history of allergic disease. Lactobacillus reuteri was given orally to the mothers in the active arm during pregnancy (daily from gestational week 36 through delivery), and to the infants from birth through 12 months of age. In this active arm the probiotic was found to reduce the incidence of IgE-associated eczema. While no significant difference was found in the cumulative incidence of eczema during infancy between the active and placebo groups, a significant difference was found in the incidence of IgE-associated eczema during the second year of life (8% among those treated with probiotics versus 20% among those untreated). Furthermore, reactivity to a skin prick test was less common among subjects treated with probiotics versus those who received the placebo, especially among infants whose mothers had allergies (14% among those treated with probiotics versus 31% among those who received the placebo).
The authors conclude, “…Although a preventive effect of probiotics on infant eczema was not confirmed, the treated infants had less IgE-associated eczema at 2 years of age and therefore possibly run a reduced risk to develop later respiratory allergic disease. Probiotics may reduce the incidence of IgE-associated eczema in infancy.” Bottom line is that if you aren’t making your own sauerkraut, pickles or other fermented foods it is important to take a probiotic during pregnancy as well as during infancy. There are many research studies confirming the wisdom of probiotic supplementation.
In Health,
George Mandler
Licensed Acupuncturist & Nutritionist Dietitian
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Nutrition
Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Massachusetts
