A new concept for preventing allergies: training the immune system

Abstract

Allergies, besides obesity and cardiovascular diseases, are one of the main noncommunicable diseases that can develop in the first 1000 days postpartum. In the last several decades, the incidence of asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergies has increased, a fact that represents a problem for all the clinicians who provide healthcare for pregnant women and newborns. Currently, there are evidence that support the idea that breastfeeding, compared with feeding formula with intact cow milk protein, for at least four months, delays or prevents the occurrence of cow milk allergies and atopic dermatitis. In regard to hydrolyzed formulas, there are comparative studies that indicate that not all formulas have the same protective benefit. Exclusive breastfeeding seems to have a preventive effect on the development of allergic disease (asthma, atopic dermatitis) up to 2 years of age. Some probiotics, prebi­otics and synbiotics have the ability to influence the response of the immune system. The underlying immunological mechanism of the effects of the three aforementioned products continues to be discovered, with new findings for dendritic cells, effector lymphocytes, T regulatory cells, natural killer T cells and B cells. There are three keys periods that can train and stimulate the development of immune system: pregnancy, breast feeding period and early childhood. The aim of this clinical report is to review the dietary options during pregnancy, lactation and the first year of life that can affect the development of atopic disease in early life.