Probiotics in food allergy

Abstract

Purpose of review: To perform a nonsystematic review of the literature on the possible role of probiotics for food allergy (FA).

Recent findings: Animal model and in vitro evidence suggest that the gut microbiome could protect against FA and that probiotics could be a valid instrument. There is no consistent evidence in identifying the specific species, the dosage, and the optimal duration to obtain the correct immunomodulation. Early life supplementation with specific 'missing' immunomodulatory microbes - derived from machine learning approach to birth cohort studies - might represent a novel approach to the primary prevention of multiple human atopic diseases. However, further studies are needed.

Summary: Currently, there is no positive recommendation from the main scientific societies to use probiotics neither for the treatment nor for the prevention of FA.