The scientific journal Cell Reports has published a study conducted by Monash University in Australia presenting evidence that the trifecta of a diet high in Vitamin A, Fiber (Prebiotic), and Probiotics (good bacteria) can improve, reduce in severity, and prevent food allergies.
A PhD student at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Jian Tan, found that a high fiber diet that reshapes the gut and colon microbiota can offer protection against peanut allergies.
A high fiber diet provides food (prebiotic) for healthy gut and intestinal bacteria (probiotics) to flourish. The healthy gut bacteria assist the immune system by boosting dendritic cells which are the immune system cells that control whether an allergic response against a food allergen happens or not. These specialized dendritic cells require vitamin A, another factor which can only be obtained through the diet, and is high in vegetables and fruits.
Achieving the reduced allergic response to food substances, requires a diet high in all three, Vitamin A, Fiber, & Probiotics, to obtain the protective results according to the Monash University led study.
Dried apricots were used in the study because they are high in both fiber and vitamin A. Any food that has orange flesh, apricots, carrots, pumpkin, butternut squash and even egg yolks are naturally high in Vitamin A.
Great sources of fiber include: apple cider vinegar, apples, bananas, carrots, corn, oats, oat bran, potatoes, quinoa, squash, turnips, yams, beans, whole grains, and psyllium husks.
To maintain a high level of probiotics in your intestine, keep processed foods to a minimum and have a daily serving of a fermented type food, such as plain organic yogurt, kefir, kimchee, sauerkraut, or kombucha. Most of the yogurt available in the supermarket does not contain nutritional value and levels of live and active cultures to support a healthy gut bacteria. If yogurt is your choice for probiotic health, look for the NYA "live and active cultures" seal on the container. Commercial probiotic supplements are available for those who are not able to incorporate fermented foods into their daily diet, but beware. Not all the probiotics on the shelf are active or effective. The best probiotic supplements are sold from the refrigerator and must be refrigerated. There are some good brands that freeze dry the probiotic strains to make them shelf stable, but you must look for these higher quality supplements. Make sure the supplement contains at least 50 billion CFUs, and many different probiotic strains.
MORE INFO:
Comments