Lactic acid in kimchi improve atopic conditions: study

Lactic acid found kimchi was discovered to be effective in relieving atopic dermatitis, a study conducted by South Korean research team showed.

According to Samsung Medical Center on Wednesday, its team of professors and a research team from Chung-ang University Hospital have proven the positive effect of lactobacillus plantarum (CJLP133) in cases of atopic skin conditions for the first time in the country.

The researchers divided 83 atopic dermatitis patients, aged from one to 13, into two groups.

One group was administered CJLP133 while the other was set as a control group. Both were kept under close observation for twelve weeks. Those who took the lactic acid showed signs of improvement with a lower rate on a scale to indicate the seriousness of the skin problem. Those who didn’t consume the acid did not show any changes.

The joint research team led by professor Kim Ji-hyun plans to conduct a clinical test to determine the effect of CJLP133 on specific age groups and genders.

The research results were first published in medical journal “Pediatric Allergy and Immunology” last year.

By Yoon Ha-youn, Intern reporter
(yhayoun@heraldcorp.com)