Children’s eczema symptoms relieved by new probiotic research (2012)

Yet more positive press for probiotics - they are brilliant - and our diets today don't support optimal gut health, therefore unfriendly to good bacteria. Note not all probiotics are the same, there are SO many strains of probiotics and they all have different actions in different areas of the body, so if you want to try this probiotic, you need to ask for this one by name. Most health food stores and pharmacies carry the common acidophilus probiotic - so you may need to go direct to a naturopath. Don't forget BellyBelly's Naturopath, Nicole Tracy, does phone consultations and can also easily post out orders directly to you. I know when I was pregnant she sent me probiotics clinically proven to reduce eczema and allergies in babies. Will be interesting to see as I have eczema (which I have pretty much outgrown but get flare-ups in small patches sometimes) and sensitive skin.

http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2012/1...-research.html

Children’s eczema symptoms relieved by new Fonterra probiotic research
October 18, 2012
Kate Carey

A probiotic developed from dairy cultures by New-Zealand based Fonterra Nutrition has been reported to have significant long term benefits for children suffering from eczema; a condition that affects around 1 in 4 children in Australia before the age of two.

Fonterra’s Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 was shown in a previous trial to help reduce the occurrence of eczema symptoms in children by almost 50 per cent when they took the probiotic up to two years of age. Now, a follow-up study published in the international journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy has shown that the reduction in symptoms continues through to four years old, even though the children stopped taking the probiotic at two years of age.

Fonterra Nutrition Senior Research Scientist Dr James Dekker said the results indicate that Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 may be able to modify the immune system early in a child’s development, to deliver long term benefits with no discernible side effects.

“Eczema affects millions of children worldwide, with around half the cases being diagnosed before one-year of age,” Mr Dekker said.

Professor Julian Crane, one of the study’s authors, said the latest findings showed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 has a long-term protective effect and could be an effective solution in reducing the risk of eczema development in children with a family history of allergy.

Earlier this year, Australian Food News reported the resurgence of probiotics in the Australian market. It was reported that although many probiotics have had retail success around the world, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been hesitant to give pre-approval for the health claims of probiotics.

The latest research by Fonterra has the potential to overcome the problem in the case of foods containing probiotics. It will be interesting to see whether Fonterra will formally seek EFSA or other regulatory pre-approvals for a health benefits claim in relation to probiotics and eczema.

A relative of mine has had horrendous eczema all his life. Has had numerous tests, been on restrictive diets, done the tolerance program (where you have capsules/injections with small amounts of things you are allergic too) ad whilst everything helped nothing cured it completely. I told him to give probiotics a go and a year down the track he is very happy to report he is off antihistamines and steroids and his skin is going really well. I strongly believe that probiotics are essential for good guy health which promotes overall good immunity. We are catching up but for the most part we have been behind the 8 ball. I know Europe has been a strong believer in the benefits of probiotics for a long time now (which is opposite to what the article states I know). In France a doctor will give you probiotics with any antibiotics prescription. Another friend of mine had terrible problems with chest infections and colds. Was recommended to improve gut health to help aid the immune system and it has worked for we too. Asthma patients have also seen benefit in taking probiotics. Great stuff!

Does the research say that it helped eczema if taken before the child turns two - and the benefits are still present when the child is 4yo, even though they stopped taking the probiotic at 2yo.

I'm a bit confused. Is there benefit to taking it if the eczema sufferer/s are older than 4? Or is it some kind of preventative idea?

There's also good evidence to support a reduction in eczema in the child if lactobacillus rhamnosus is taken by the mother from 32 weeks of pregnancy. I'm curious as to how they gave the probiotic to under twos.

Thanks for posting this.

Hmmmmm.........Breastfeeding protects against eczema. Breastfeeding provides an optimal gut environment for good bacteria to thrive. Breastmilk contains prebiotics and probiotics. Fonterra makes infant formula. Join the dots....
Notice that they didn't talk about the importance of breastfeeding.....

I didnt know they made formula Barb. Urgh!