Peanut allergy probiotics discovery is making headlines. Peanut allergy can be cured by probiotics, according to Australian researchers. Scientists at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute worked with two groups of children with peanut allergy for 18 months. A majority of children from the group, who received the probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus rhamnosus and peanut protein, were cured of their allergy.
Peanut allergy probiotics link is great news for millions of people all over the world. A group of Australian researchers may have found a cure for peanut allergy sufferers – which are estimated at about 15 million in America.
Scientists from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne gathered a group of 60 children under the age of 10 with peanut allergies for 18 months. During the clinical trial, 30 allergic children were given a daily dose of peanut protein together with a strain of probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus rhamnosusin in increasing amounts.
The other 30 children received a placebo along with the peanut protein. At the end of the trial, researchers found that 80% of the children, who had taken the oral immunotherapy treatment, could eat peanuts without any reaction.
Only 4% of the placebo-treated children were able to include peanut in their diet at the end of the trial. Professor Mimi Tang, who lead the study, said that the results are very promising and could lead to a potential treatment for those suffering from the food allergy. Tang shared:
“In the study the combined delivery of probiotic and oral immunotherapy was a safe and effective treatment for peanut allergy; however it is important to point out that this treatment must be only be given under close medical supervision as we are giving peanut to children who are allergic to peanut, and children did have allergic reactions. Nevertheless, the likelihood of success was high – if nine children were given probiotic and peanut therapy, seven would benefit.”
The researcher warned parents not to attempt the treatment at home. Tang explained:
“Some families might be thinking about trialling this at home and we would strongly advise against this. In our trial some children did experience allergic reactions, sometimes serious reactions.For the moment this treatment can only be taken under the supervision of doctors as part of a clinical trial.”
Tang went on to confirm that more research will be conducted to confirm whether patients can still tolerate peanuts in the years to come. The parents of the children, who took the probiotics, explained that three months after the study ended, they are still able to consume up to five tablespoons of peanuts per week.
Peanut allergy probiotics treatment offers hope to some people, but only the future will tell if all of this is real.