Breastfeeding and probiotics may protect children from allergies, finds NoE
The Network of Excellence (NoE) GA2LEN has presented evidence that breastfeeding, early diet and probiotics may have an effect on the development of allergies in children. GA2LEN is funded under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) and brings together 26 research centres from around Europe, as well as the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations (EFA). The number of people suffering from allergies has increased dramatically over the past few decades. The phenomenon is particularly evident in children, with one in three now suffering from some sort of allergy. GA2LEN predicts that by 2015, half of all Europeans will have some sort of allergy. 'It is generally agreed that a combination of heredity and environmental factors is responsible for the development of the allergy and asthma. However, the evolution of these diseases has been far too rapid for genetics to be the sole explanation,' say the GA2LEN partners. Changes in diet over the past 20 to 40 years are one explanation for the upsurge in allergies. In a paper published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy Reviews, 12 European experts from GA2LEN argue that the development of allergies could be influenced by three factors: breastfeeding, early diet and probiotics. 'It appears that exclusive breastfeeding for four months helps protect the child from cow's milk protein allergy until 18 months, reduces the likelihood of dermatitis (skin allergy) until three years, and reduces the risk of recurrent wheeze (or asthma) until six years of age. However, the longer term effects of breast feeding on allergic outcomes are not known and require investigation,' say the partners. Research also suggests that those babies that cannot be breastfed can have their chances of avoiding allergies increased by drinking hypoallergenic formula and avoiding solid foods for four to six months. This is especially important if one of the parents has a history of allergies. A second area of importance appears to be the components of the diet. Research suggests that having antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium in the diet, most of which are found in fruit and vegetables, has a protective effect. More research in this area is still needed however. 'Much of the research conducted to date has not been systematic in its approach and this makes the drawing of hard conclusions very difficult,' state the GA2LEN partners. Also a priority for future research is probiotics and prebiotics, the Network of Excellence has found. These living organisms appear to protect against the development of allergies by producing changes in the bacteria in the gut that stimulate the immune system. The paper calls for further research in all of these areas in order to identify dietary patterns that may be involved in the development of allergies and asthma, and to build up an evidence base on whether supplementation with specific fats or probiotics could contribute to protection or treatment. 'The studies required will need to be large and to be well planned, designed and executed. They are likely to require cross-country collaboration,' say the partners.