Stop cleaning yourself! You’re damaging your immune system
This is not a joke, but it is the point of the Hygiene Hypothesis, a theory that could explain why people of underdeveloped countries don’t suffer of allergic and autoimmune diseases, and why these ones are spreading in west countries.
Hygiene Hypothesis states that a lack of early childhood exposure to infectious agents, symbiotic microorganisms and parasites increases susceptibility of immune system. It is hypothesized that the TH1 polarized response is not induced early in life, leaving the body more susceptible to developing TH2 induced disease, responsible of hypersensitivity reactions.
So the immune system, without pathogenic stimuli, starts attacking harmless antigens - such as pollen or penicillin, causing allergies - or "self" antigens - self cells, causing autoimmunity.
Read more about Hygiene Hypothesis: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841828/
Image via Cell
Chris Roberts eating worms and handfuls of soil, and putting any dodgy thing found on the floor in their mouth.
ReplyDeletePersonally I agree with you. I read some time ago some articles about and all of them point to the same, if we give to our body other ways of defence, eventually he will stop producing his own. The worst in all this is that even some of the bacteria we produce in our bodies and help us in things so simple as the digestion (l-casey) . These are being introduce in yogurt making our bodies stopping produce the same. The thing is that we are constantly being bombarded with products that we don't need but are shown to us as they very
ReplyDeleteI think moderation is the key...a bad hygiene is not recommended also sterilizing everything for the kids is not recommended.
ReplyDeleteStick to the middle path, encourage children to explore and accept diversity, encourage them to eat healthy, encourage them to be independent learners.
But let's not forget everything is under reported in developing countries. They have much bigger issues to be concerned about than finding claritan or allegra for their allergies
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting hypothesis, but what about all the surveys suggesting that hygiene (and hand-washing in particular) is inversely correlated to rates of illness?
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm getting at is that since we have a pretty good idea what we risk if were were to stop practicing hygiene, it might be wise to do more thorough studies before telling people hygiene is bad for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corina... moderation is key. Definitely teach children basic hygiene, but there is no need to sterilize everything, nor should we be over-using sanitizers/anti-bacterial products. It kills the natural flora and fauna on our skin and (as this article suggests) makes us more susceptible to auto-immune disorders. Wash, but don't obsess!
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