Effect of oat or rice flour on pulse-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and breath hydrogen in subjects sensitive to pulses and controls - a randomised cross-over trial with two parallel groups.

Pulses are healthy and sustainable but induce gut symptoms in people with a sensitive gut. Oats, on the contrary, have no fermentable oligo- di-, monosaccharides and polyols compounds and are known for the health effects of their fibres. This 4-day cross-over trial investigated the effects of oat and rice flour ingested with pulses on gut symptoms and exhaled gases (4th day only) in subjects with a sensitive gut or IBS ( 21) and controls ( 21).

Intestinal defensin secretion in infancy is associated with the emergence of sensitization and atopic dermatitis.

Background: Intestinal flora and innate immunity, and their interactions impact adaptive immunity.

Objective: To study the association of fecal defensin levels in infancy with synbiotic treatment and with the emergence of atopy.

Methods: The randomly selected group of 102 infants belonged to a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial where 1223 infants in high risk for allergy received, from birth to 6 months, a mixture of synbiotics, or placebo.

Effects of a fibre-enriched milk drink on insulin and glucose levels in healthy subjects.

Background: The glycaemic response to foods is dependent on the quality and content of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in the form of dietary fibre have favourable effects on insulin and glucose metabolism and may help to control energy intake. Dairy products have a relatively low carbohydrate content, and most of the carbohydrate is in the form of lactose which causes gastrointestinal symptoms in part of the population.

Probiotics prevent IgE-associated allergy until age 5 years in cesarean-delivered children but not in the total cohort.

Background: Less microbial exposure in early childhood is associated with more allergic disease later. Allergic children have a different fecal microflora, with less lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Beneficial effects regarding the development of allergy have been suggested to come through probiotic supplementation.

Can primary hypolactasia manifest itself after the age of 20 years? A two-decade follow-up study.

Objective: The age at manifestation of primary hypolactasia varies between ethnic groups. Many people report experiencing the first symptoms of lactose intolerance at adult age. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether primary hypolactasia can appear after the age of 20 among the Finnish population and to investigate the outcome of different diagnostic methods of lactose maldigestion.