Allergies

[Techie2000]

Somehow I got lucky and have no allergies. I hope everyone else gets better though...

 

[Blackberry]

my eyes are itching!!!

 

[tommyvill]

I'm dying out of allergies...shit how much i suffer! I'm totally addict to anti-allergic medecines this time of season.-...

 

[gherman]

Preferably controlled, randomised, double-blinded and cross-over...

Don't forget placebo

 

[Merc]

Don't forget placebo

Damn! I knew there was something I forgot!

Are you also in "the business"?

 

[melon]

My allergies seem less bothersome since I started eating lots of plain yogurt, not to mention it's helped clear out my sinus problems that Allegra didn't help. Lactobacillus Acidophilus bacteria, which are considered to be "friendly bacteria," are theorized to alleviate certain kinds of allergies.

It's worth a try, at least, as long as you like plain yogurt. Flavored yogurt, which is what most people eat, generally doesn't have active bacteria cultures, so it's pretty useless for this purpose.

Some info about the bacteria for those interested:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Lactobacillusacidophiluscs.html

Melon

 

[anitram]

My allergies seem less bothersome since I started eating lots of plain yogurt, not to mention it's helped clear out my sinus problems that Allegra didn't help. Lactobacillus Acidophilus bacteria, which are considered to be "friendly bacteria," are theorized to alleviate certain kinds of allergies.

There is a paper which shows that the presence of lactobacillus increases the production of interferon gamma, which would then explain why allergic responses are modulated (ie. downgraded).

At the same time, the research shows that despite the claims that it also helps alleviate asthma, there is no data to support it, which is a little surprising, but the research doesn't seem to be hugely extensive.

I'm lactose intolerant, but taking them freeze dried instead of having yogurt sounds like a reasonable option.

 

[melon]

At the same time, the research shows that despite the claims that it also helps alleviate asthma, there is no data to support it, which is a little surprising, but the research doesn't seem to be hugely extensive.

Of course. Pharmaceutical companies and hospitals would probably crap their pants if something as unpatentable as bacteria solved asthma. But, at the same time, asthma is certainly quite more severe than your average allergy. So who knows; but it would be nice to get more research in this arena.

I'm lactose intolerant, but taking them freeze dried instead of having yogurt sounds like a reasonable option.

Well, but there seems to be the irony about all this. L. Acidophilus produces the enzyme to break down lactose, so some of the stuff I've read about this bacteria seems to conclude that even the lactose intolerant could eat yogurt, as long as it had active cultures of this bacteria.

But, yes, there's always the freeze dried option. I've seen the supplements, and they're always refrigerated in the health food stores I've been to.

Melon

 

[anitram]

In theory I should be able to eat yogurt but in reality I won't even get into the details of the sort of suffering I've experienced in the past when doing so, lol.

I think the problem is that your intestines basically revolt sooner than the (relatively small amount of) lactilobacillus can effectively produce enough lactase to counteract the effects.

 

[Blackberry]

why is it that the allergy test doesnt show anything, but actually i am suffering from it???

 

[gherman]

Damn! I knew there was something I forgot!

Are you also in "the business"?

I'm a pharmacist but not w/ industry. Your name tells me you are either a rep. or liason?

 

[Merc]

I'm a pharmacist but not w/ industry

Cool - same here!

Your name tells me you are either a rep. or liason?

What?!

 

[gherman]

Merc. I thought it might be a playoff on names. Marc and Merck put together or something

I thought you might work for Merck

 

[Merc]

Merc. I thought it might be a playoff on names. Marc and Merck put together or something

I thought you might work for Merck

No, it's short for Mercury! Was a huge Queen and Freddie Mercury fan in my early teens and "Merc" is the name I've signed up on different boards since then and I decided to use it here too!