For every cell that builds up the human body there are ten bacteria living on or in us.

There is now an emerging school that thinks this "microbiome" may be helping to fuel a rise in allergies. And that, for the very same reason, the best cure could start right from there. From Clostridia.

A team of researchers at the University of Chicago showed that this group of bacteria could be able to block peanut allergies.

According to lead researcher Dr Cathryn Nagler, "The first step is for an allergen to gain access to the blood stream, the presence of Clostridia prevents the allergens getting into the bloodstream. Clostridia are known to be closely linked to the intestinal lining, they are spore forming which makes them tricky to work with, but down the road they would be a candidate to put in a to pill as they are highly stable."

She adds that we should not be surprised how powerful an effect these bacteria, fungi and viruses can have on our body. "We have co-evolved with our microbiota and it has an enormous impact on our health. It's having a negative impact now because we've disturbed it with antibiotics and a high fat diet.