Yakult for Your Pollen Allergies
If data from a new preliminary study is true, it seems that Yakult is not only good for gut health, it might also help in easing symptoms of hay fever or pollen allergies. According to the study, a daily dose of Yakult for five months seems to reduce the levels of IgE in the blood (It is IgE which stimulates the release of histamine which subsequently makes the airways swell and produce the symptoms of hay fever).
Blood samples were taken before the grass pollen season, then again when it was at its peak (June), and 4 weeks after the end of season. There were no significant differences in levels of IgE in the blood between the two groups at the start of the study, but IgE levels were lower in the probiotic group both at the peak season and afterwards.
At the same times, levels of the antibody IgG were higher, a type of antibody that in contrast to IgE is thought to play a protective role against allergic reactions.
“The probiotic strain we tested changed the way the body’s immune cells respond to grass pollen, restoring a more balanced immune response”, says Dr Kamal Ivory, a senior member of the group.
All these data, as mentioned, still preliminary, though. A wider scale clinical study is being planned.
Do you have allergies? What natural remedies do you use, if any, to alleviate your allergies?
It is old news that seasonal allergies are an autoimmune response. Our bodies are immune to so many disease, call us TOO clean. When we get hit with pollen twice a year, we seize the opportunity to attack ourselves. Probiotics restores this balance, one tiny tablet at a time. Only the Shaklee Optiflora brand has the triple encapsulated technology to arrive in the colon, instead of dissolving in the stomach. See my article on seasonal allergies at http://www.completeproductline.com/webpage.asp?id=94 and gezunheit to you!
Hello Ruth,
I have been told that Raw Honey in your local area over time will help.
I can’t say 100% if it does work because we just moved and am looking for raw honey in my area now.
Dora Renee’ Wilkerson
I keep reading about Yakult and have not found one place to actually buy it! Aargghh!
I on Vancouver Island, BC and would try mail order if that was the only option available to me. I am very keen to try this for the possible allergy benefits.