Who needs antihistamines? This simple solution works better.

Yesterday, I shared a few foolproof allergy tips to prepare for the record-breaking pollen counts some experts predict might be just around the corner.  Today, I’d like to share one more: probiotics.

I tell you all the time you should be taking them. And if you don’t already, clinically proven allergy relief is just another reason to start doing so today.

If it all sounds too simple, consider this: European researchers recently studied 425 hay fever patients as part of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. All the subjects were already taking the antihistamine loratadine (Claritin), but were still experiencing symptoms. (So obviously, conventional treatment wasn’t working out so well for them.)

Each subject received probiotics or a placebo for five weeks. During that time, researchers assessed the severity of their symptoms—and its impact on their quality of life.

Results showed the allergy patients taking probiotics enjoyed significant improvements over subjects taking placebo. And in ocular symptoms—think red, itchy, burning, goopy eyes—in particular.

Source:

“Efficacy and safety of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33 in allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (GA2LEN Study).” Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Feb 26.