Probiotics linked to lower risk of allergies for kids

Babies whose mothers take probiotics while pregnant and those who are given the so-called good bacteria supplements early in life may be at lower risk for allergies but not asthma than other kids,according to a new analysis of past studies. Doctors dont typically recommend for or against probiotics for pregnant women or young children,and its still too soon to make that leap,said senior author Dr Erick Forno of Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh. Bacteria living in the gut and digestive tract have been linked to immune system health. So getting enough probiotics – micro-organisms like those in yoghurt and yeast that have a beneficial effect on the balance of gut microbes might logically help support a healthy immune system as well,researchers said. Since allergies and asthma both spring from hypersensitive immune responses,several trials have set out to assess the effect of probiotic supplements on those conditions.