Targeted micronutrition for allergic patients—possible applications of a food for special medical purposes

Abstract

SummaryA novel and recently launched food for special medical purposes was discussed by a multidisciplinary expert panel as an option for allergic patients. The newly developed lozenge contains the whey protein beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) as well as the micronutrients iron, zinc and vitamin A. BLG loaded with ligands (holo-BLG) is discussed as one factor of the allergy-protective farm effect in numerous scientific studies. Further studies reveal that holo-BLG shuttles its ligands specifically to immune cells, where it balances the specific nutrient demand and can thus lead to immune resilience. Based on the scientific background, the experts see a broad range of possible applications for holo-BLG in the form of a lozenge, for example in patients suffering from multiple allergies, with sensitisation to rare allergens (including occupational allergens), tree pollen-associated food allergies or in general difficult treatment situations (e.g. allergies to animal dander or refusal of allergen immunotherapy). The expert panel describes the holo-BLG lozenge as an innovative and additional option for allergic patients.

Long-term benefits of targeted micronutrition with the holoBLG lozenge in house dust mite allergic patients

“…Immune resilience, as a phenomenon of activation of innate immune mechanisms, may be key here and help explain the allergen unspecific nature of this approach [3,4,6,35]. This novel scientific concept has been translated into a Food for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP)-available throughout German and Austrian pharmacies ("over the counter") addressing those allergy sufferers who never reach an allergy centre, or are not suited/unwilling to undergo AIT [20]. The allergen-unspecific mode-of-action of this FSMP is documented by a large body of preclinical data and first clinical trials [2-4, 6, 16].…”

“…Here, induction of immune resilience via innate immunity in an allergen-unspecific way provides symptom alleviation after a short supplementation phase [2,16]. The holoBLG lozenge, a safe and well-tolerated FSMP (food for special medical purpose) [2,19], which is a novel invention [1] in the field of dietary products (sold over the counter [OTC] in pharmacies) currently available in Germany and Austria [20], is breaking new grounds in the fight against allergic diseases.…”

Secretory protein beta‐lactoglobulin in cattle stable dust may contribute to the allergy‐protective farm effect

“…Rather, in line with our recently published animal studies, this immunomodulatory effect was dependent on BLG fulfilling a shuttle function for micronutrients like iron-siderophore complexes, vitamin A and D, 12,13 and zinc, targeting them to innate immune cells. Importantly, a dietary lozenge containing whey protein with iron-quercetin, vitamin A, and zinc could reduce symptoms in human birch-pollen and house dust mite allergic patients, 42,43 as well as in the mouse model. 10 Our study has some limitations: even though BLG represents a major fraction among the whey proteins, we can only speculate whether BLG with its binding partners also represents the allergyprotective factor associated with raw milk.…”

“…Rather, in line with our recently published animal studies, this immunomodulatory effect was dependent on BLG fulfilling a shuttle function for micronutrients like iron‐siderophore complexes, vitamin A and D, 12,13 and zinc, targeting them to innate immune cells. Importantly, a dietary lozenge containing whey protein with iron‐quercetin, vitamin A, and zinc could reduce symptoms in human birch‐pollen and house dust mite allergic patients, 42,43 as well as in the mouse model 10 …”