Probiotics in the treatment and prevention of allergies

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements which have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on human health. The definition of probiotics has evolved along with active research on host-microbe crosstalk. It has become evident that the foundation of healthy gut microbiota lies in early infancy and the initial process of intestinal colonization. Conversely, the generation of immunophysiological regulation in the gut depends on the establishment of the optimal microbiota. Recent characterization of the immunomodulatory potential of specific strains of the gut microbiota, beyond the effect on the composition of the microbiota, has led to novel applications, e.g., in allergic diseases.