Consumption of unpasteurized farm milk is associated with reduced occurrence
of asthma and other allergies in a new European study conducted in five
countries.
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Clin Exp Allergy. 2007 May;37(5):661-70.
Inverse association of farm milk consumption with asthma and allergy in
rural and suburban populations across Europe.
Waser M, Michels KB, Bieli C, Floistrup H, Pershagen G, von Mutius E, Ege M,
Riedler J, Schram-Bijkerk D, Brunekreef B, van Hage M, Lauener R,
Braun-Fahrlander C; the PARSIFAL Study team.
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Basel,
Switzerland.
Background Dietary interventions as a means for atopy prevention attract
great interest. Some studies in rural environments claimed an inverse
association between consumption of farm-produced dairy products and the
prevalence of allergic diseases, but current evidence is controversial.
Objective To investigate whether consumption of farm-produced products is
associated with a lower prevalence of asthma and allergy when compared with
shop-purchased products. Methods Cross sectional multi-centre study
(PARSIFAL) including 14 893 children aged 5-13 years from five European
countries (2823 from farm families and 4606 attending Steiner Schools as
well as 5440 farm reference and 2024 Steiner reference children). A detailed
questionnaire including a dietary component was completed and
allergen-specific IgE was measured in serum. Results Farm milk consumption
ever in life showed a statistically significant inverse association with
asthma: covariate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.74 [95% confidence interval
(CI) 0.61-0.88], rhinoconjunctivitis: aOR 0.56 (0.43-0.73) and sensitization
to pollen and the food mix fx5 (cut-off level of >/=3.5 kU/L): aOR 0.67
(0.47-0.96) and aOR 0.42 (0.19-0.92), respectively, and sensitization to
horse dander: aOR 0.50 (95% CI 0.28-0.87). The associations were observed in
all four subpopulations and independent of farm-related co-exposures. Other
farm-produced products were not independently related to any allergy-related
health outcome. Conclusion Our results indicate that consumption of farm
milk may offer protection against asthma and allergy. A deepened
understanding of the relevant protective components of farm milk and a
better insight into the biological mechanisms underlying this association
are warranted as a basis for the development of a safe product for
prevention.
PMID: 17456213
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Juhana