“Good” Bacteria May Be Good Relief for Hayfever

The human gastrointestinal (GI) is home to millions of bacteria, and previous studies have suggested that supplementation of “good” bacteria in the form of probiotics — can help to support key systems in the human body.  European researchers, including those from Montpelier University (France) and Ruhr-University Rochum (Germany), completed a study involving 425 men and women with hayfever (allergic rhinitis), who were being treated with a prescription medication (loratadine). Subjects received a supplement of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei LP-33; or placebo for 5 weeks, at which time the participants rated “Quality of Life” using a standardized assessment scale. Those subjects who received the probiotic reported significant improvements in ocular symptoms, as compared to those on placebo. The study authors report that: “[Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. Paracasi] improves the quality of life of subjects with persistent [allergic rhinitis] who are currently being treated with an oral antihistamine.”