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Dirty = Good? and the 'Hygiene Hypothesis'
--Read More In: Disease | Signal
In a recent study by Duke researchers, it was shown that wild rats which are exposed to microbes have much higher levels of two antibodies than lab rats.
The difference in the two groups was as low as +2x and as high as +11.5x.
So for now, scientists have evidence to suggest that though you shouldn’t ditch your apartment to go live in the sewer, a little dirt might not be such a bad thing after all.
With almost 50 million Allergy and Asthma sufferers in the United States alone, scientists have been wondering if industrialized western civilization is missing something and a Victim of its own success.
---Enter the “Hygiene Hypothesis”, which states that modern western life is too hygenic, esp. during childhood, there are immune system consequences to over-urbanization, and that this is where many allergies and autoimmune diseases get their foothold in our lives.
A few examples of Autoimmune Diseases that may be involved are Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. -An autoimmune disease is when an overactive immune system attacks some tissues of the body.
In addition to the Duke research, some early studies between American healthcare workers and rural farmers in Rwanda showed increased antibodies in the farmers.
After this, the immune system seems almost “Prepared” for irritants and *Doesn’t Overreact* with all the collateral issues associated. One example is overproduction of histamine and the inflammation that goes with it.
--The next level? Posed by the Imperial College of London, where scientists are asking: "What specific dirt and environment is ideal to strengthening the immune system? And is there a way to mimic those effects in a modern environment without actually getting all the little diseases?"
--Is there a way to retain the benefits of the medical revolution, (~1850-present) but get back those we’ve lost from having a healthy connection with the earth (4mil BC ~>1914)?
(Although it’s hinted at, but never overtly stated, the ideal environment for immune strengthening seems to be a general-purpose organic farm.)
--Perhaps a set of farm-like soil microbes will be identified and encapsulated for repeated intake to keep us in fighting shape. There might even be ailments resolved from the inside out in a general as opposed to specific fashion, kind of the inverse of a Benadryl.
Notes:
Antibodies. IgG is involved in autoimmune diseases. IgE is involved in allergic reactions, fighting parasites and early reaction to cancer.
Parasites in animals can raise IgE levels.
Nothing was said about the Lifespan of both rodent groups. -Of course, the immune systems of the dead sewer rats were not measured as they were unavailable for comment.
NS-Allergies IC London-Allergies SD-Allergies Duke-SJI Wiki-IgE Wiki-IgG Histamine
Posted by Will on 06/22/06 | Comments (0) | Email to a friend |
