Posted on February 10th, 2009 by Craig Maltby, Editor
More dirt on dirt (and why young immune systems are at risk)
They say frequency and repetition in delivering a message to the masses is a good thing. So here’s the next version of the “dirt and kids” theme. Let me know when you’ve had enough. I’ll then dish up some more. This is getting to be such a widely touted topic here and elsewhere, I’m going to create a “dirt” category for this blog. There. Done.
We’ve posted several pieces here on the hygiene hypothesis; how exposure to everyday germs during infancy and early childhood is highly beneficial in developing a balanced immune system. That immune balance can be a huge health benefit for the rest of your life.
A recent CBS News interview with the author of a new book, “Why Dirt is Good,” is yet another great summary of how a lot of bacteria we encounter early in life can be our friend and should not be shunned.
It’s the basis for the immune balance story. Anything that can 1) keep your immune agents passive and under-reactive when beneficial, and also 2) help your immune system react aggressively when it needs to, will be highly favorable to your long-term health.
So what if you weren’t lucky enough to grow up living in a sod hut with a dirt floor with herds of pigs, sheep and wild dogs sleeping in the same room with you? Immune balancing supplementation in adulthood can carry on that microbial mission of helping your immune system operate the way nature intended. And you can still live a civilized life while you’re at it.
My next post will update you on the latest at my house during this winter crud season. Meanwhile, here’s the CBS Story (pardon the chore of enduring the upfront ads).
