In Florida, University of Florida research shows a particular probiotic combination can reduce seasonal allergy symptoms if taken during allergy season. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are known to help maintain digestive health and parts of the immune system; and this study confirms that participants who took the combination reported improvements in quality of life, compared to those taking the placebo.
Scientists suspect probiotics might work by increasing the human body’s percentage of regulatory T-cells, which in turn might increase tolerance to hay fever symptoms. UF researchers enrolled 173 healthy adults who said they suffered seasonal allergies and randomly split them into two groups: Some took the combination probiotic; others took a placebo.
The researchers conducted the experiment at the height of spring allergy season. Participants who took the probiotic reported improvements in quality of life such as fewer allergy-related nose symptoms, which meant that they were less troubled during daily activities.