Gut bacteria may prevent food allergies

Microbes block food from seeping into bloodstream, mouse study shows

SEAL IT UP  Mice lacking certain bacteria in their guts (left) have less intestinal mucus (dark purple specks) than mice harboring Clostridia bacteria (right). The mucus may prevent food allergens from leaking out of the intestines and into the bloodstream. 

A.T. Stefka et al/PNAS 2014

Peanuts can drive people’s immune systems nuts, but gut microbes could offer some protection.