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Top it with cereal, fresh fruit, or a little swirl of honey. Any way you serve it up, this creamy breakfast food may be an allergy fighter. We're talking about yogurt. Research suggests that the powerful probiotic bugs � called Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) � in yogurt may decrease body levels of immune substances involved in seasonal allergies. So every cup of goodness means fewer sniffles and "achoos." The Nose Knows Your gastrointestinal tract naturally plays host to a variety of bacteria. But in people who suffer from allergies, those bacteria levels are a little off. And researchers think that probiotics may help shift the balance of bugs back to a healthier status that helps support the immune system. That's exactly what a recent small study suggests. Seasonal allergy sufferers in the study consumed either a probiotic-fortified dairy drink or a placebo drink for 5 months. And at the end of the study, those who had knocked back the L. casei drinks showed lower levels of immune substances that contribute to allergies. Beneficial Bugs Whatever you do, don't ignore sneezes, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. If you have allergies, it's best to nip your symptoms in the bud so they don't turn into something more serious -- like asthma or a sinus infection. Eating yogurt might help, but a comprehensive allergy-treatment plan laid out by your doctor is best. (Images provided by Buncombe County.)
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