A trial at the Murdoch Children’s Institute in Australia has shown that giving peanuts alongside a specific probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) can help to reduce this widespread allergy.
In the trial, 60 patients with peanut allergy were given either peanut protein with lactobacillus rhamnosus or a placebo. After 18 months, 80% of those in the treatment group were able to tolerate peanut compared to less that 4% of the placebo group.
This means that this specific probiotic (which I often use in clinic for children with food allergies) can help to modify the immune system to produce a protective response rather than a harmful response to peanuts. Further research is needed to confirm long-term tolerance so don’t try this at home but it is more confirmation that good gut health really is essential for a healthy immune system and allergies.
Boost gut health by eating probiotic rich and gut healing foods (natural yoghurt, miso, bone broth, fermented veggies) and avoiding sugars and excess or processed grains.
