New Pill May Offer Protection from Peanut Allergies

Statistics show that up to 15 million people in the United States suffer from at least one food allergy, 5.9 million of whom are children under the age of 18. While there are several foods to which children -- and adults -- can be allergic, one of the most common is peanuts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of peanut allergies in children has increased by 50% from 1997 to 2011. But while there's no known cure for peanut allergies, a breakthrough new pill may offer relief.

Researchers in Australia have reported early success in the development of a new probiotics pill that's intended to protect against peanut allergies. Like all probiotics, the pill contains healthy bacteria that doesn't cause illness or otherwise harm. Instead, it strengthens the body immune system while building tolerance to peanuts; thus, protecting the individual from peanut allergies and its associated effects. 

The pill actually contains small trace amounts of peanuts in addition to the probiotics -- and this is where the real benefit lies. By gradually exposing one's self to peanuts, individuals can safely build up a tolerance to the substance without ill effect.

So, how effective is the new peanut allergy pill? Researchers conducted their first trial just four years ago. It involved 56 children, all of whom were suffering from peanut allergies at the time, who were asked to take the pill once a day for 18 months. The study's author Dr. Mimi Tang explained by saying the following:

"What we found was that the majority of children who achieved tolerance after the end of treatment in the original study were still eating peanuts four years after having stopped their treatment," said study author Dr. Mimi Tang. "So we were very excited by these findings because to us it really shows that the probiotic-peanut combination can actually change the immune response to peanut and provide benefits, long-term, years after having stopped the treatment."

Of course, there's still no word on when or even if the pill will be released to the public. It could take several years before it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or it may never be approved. Regardless, the study has shown promising results for the millions of men, women and children who suffer from peanut allergies. Perhaps will this pill, these individuals may one day find relief of their peanut allergies.

This study was published in the medical journal Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.