Food allergies, intestinal microbiota and probiotics

There are many studies devoted to the study of the intestinal microbiota. They prove the leading role of microorganisms in the formation of the immune response of the host. Intestinal microbiota contributes to the switch of preferential differentiation of Th-lymphocytes from Th2-type, typical for newborns, to the formation of Tr-cells (regulatory) with a corresponding increase in the formation of TGF-β and IL-10. Consequently, immunological tolerance is formed under the influence of the intestinal microbiota. This process occurs in the first months of life and has a long-term effect, setting the features of the body’s immune response to external infectious and food antigens, which determines the predisposition to the development of food allergies later in life. This article describes the factors that influence the colonization of the baby’s gut. Maternal gut microbiota, maternal health, mode of delivery (natural childbirth or cesarean section), type of feeding (breastfeeding or formula feeding) - all these factors affect the colonization of the gut and the formation of an immune response. In addition, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria play a critical role in the formation of immunological tolerance. Probiotics can modulate the immune response similar to the intestinal microbiota. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium infant strains are optimal. Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of perinatal and early administration of probiotics for the prevention of food allergies. A balanced combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum is a symbiosis of bacteria that enhances the effectiveness of each other, which promotes the optimal establishment of the intestinal microbiocenosis from birth and is the prevention of both infectious diseases and food allergies. A combination probiotic containing both Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum seems to be the optimal choice.