The impact of diet on asthma and allergy, part 2: Vitamin D and probiotics

Dietary factors, such as intake of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, appear to influence the development of asthma and other allergic disease. The results of recent studies indicate that a higher maternal intake of vitamin D during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of childhood asthma. However, vitamin D intake among children does not appear to reduce the risk of wheezing in early childhood. Maternal intake of probiotics during pregnancy also appears to have a protective effect against some allergies. For example, supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is associated with a reduced risk of atopic eczema in children. There is no current evidence that probiotic supplementation prevents asthma.