Could ‘Poop Pills’ Fix Peanut Allergies?

Allergy Treatment Gets Weird: Could the key to treating peanut allergies be hiding in your gut? Early research suggests that “poop pills” — capsules containing fecal microbes from healthy donors — may help some people with severe peanut allergies tolerate more of the legume without experiencing reactions.

The Study: In a small trial published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers gave 15 adults with peanut allergies an oral fecal microbiota transplant (FMT). The trial was conducted in two parts. First, 10 participants were given FMT from donors with healthy gut microbiomes. They consumed a total of 36 capsules over one or two days. Four months after treatment, three participants showed greater tolerance to peanut protein. In the second part, five participants were given antibiotics before undergoing FMT. Of those five, three demonstrated increased peanut tolerance following the treatment. The treatment appeared to increase the number of certain immune-regulating cells.

Takeaway: The gut microbiome is tied to nearly every body system in some way, so experts say it isn’t surprising that it may play a role in allergies, too. 

Keep In Mind: This was a tiny, phase I study. The participant pool consisted of just 15 individuals, and less than half responded positively to the treatment, so no broad conclusions can be made from the data. But, it’s an interesting start.