Waser, M., K. B. Michels, et al. (2007). "Inverse association
of farm milk consumption with asthma and allergy in rural and suburban
populations across Europe." Clin Exp Allergy 37(5):
661-670.
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 >or=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.
