I generally don’t like to use sports analogies on this blog because this health information is for all people, not just jocks and fans. But this is special for a couple reasons:

1) Feller was a physical specimen. Not a body builder or someone with an elite physique. Rather, feller excelled throughout a 20-year career where he threw baseballs harder and faster than anyone in the game; fastballs that were clocked at nearly 107 mph (compared to today’s high range of 97-99 mph). He pitched a complete game–a full nine innings–300 times. Today, hardly any pitcher throws nine innings. 6 or 7 is about it for a starter. Gotta preserve the arm. In other words, Feller had a physical endurance and career longevity that was nothing short of astounding. People recall him taking the mound when we was 70 and 80 years old and still slinging it across the plate with some major zip.

2) Feller grew up on a farm. He was around hay, corn, pollen, hogs and all the bacterial and allergenic exposure that goes with the farm life, and, as research shows, can significantly define your immune system for the rest of your life. The Hygiene Hypothesis. Feller said his arm really wasn’t sore during his career. He didn’t ice it. “Ice is for cold drinks,” he said.

I would wager that Feller’s immune system–shaped by exposure to immune-shaping microbes on the farm–may have played a big role in his success and long life; balanced to the point of evading any major joint and muscle inflammation, and helping him live to a ripe old age without major illness (that is, until he succumbed to complications from leukemia), and, at least in part, enabling his physical durability for all those years.

That’s just my theory. Genes may also have played a big role. Who knows. If I’m wrong, please God, don’t let a Feller fastball strike me down!

Triclosan: and EDC-classified molecule

Don’t forget that acronym: EDC. It stands for “endocrine disrupting compound.” A new University of Michigan study suggests that exposure to an EDC substance called triclosan, found in antibacterial soaps and other products like diaper bags and toothpaste, may be linked to higher instances of allergies among young people age 18 and under.

The endocrine system is the hormone production center for the body. Hormones can be a significant modulator of immune cell activity.

The author of the study had this summarizing statement about exposure to triclosan: “The triclosan findings in the younger age groups may support the ‘hygiene hypothesis,’ which maintains living in very clean and hygienic environments may impact our exposure to micro-organisms that are beneficial for development of the immune system,” said Allison Aiello, associate professor at the U-M School of Public Health and principal investigator on the study.

Keep in mind, this study is simply an analysis of data collected from 2003 to 2006. It was not a direct intervention study where participant were given a compound and compared to a placebo group. The evidence for EDCs and immune function is still being debated and far from settled.

• One out of 20 people who are allergic to pollen has oral allergy syndrome, which means the immune system mistakes the compounds in certain foods for pollen proteins, says Sublett. Some foods — such as pears, cherries, peaches, apples, melons and nuts — cause breakouts or itching in the throat or around the mouth.
  
• Also, the average 1,500 square-foot home accumulates about 40 pounds of dust per year and contains about 40 million allergens.  Yeeesh! (Source: Sniffle Solutions).
• People who get allergic symptoms during the winter may be allergic to mold spores. Molds remain outside much longer than pollen, and may be indoors year-round. (Source: About.com, Allergy Fast Facts)
• A Johns Hopkins University study showed that “mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90% or more within a month of replacing mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding. (Source: Achooallergy.com)
• Your gut may be a big cause of sneezing. Upsetting the normal balance of microflora in your stomach and intestines can change your entire immune system, researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School report, intensifying your body’s response to common allergens like pollen or animal dander. According to scientists, our modern diet and increased use of antibiotics may be at fault. Safeguard your health with a diet low in sugar and high in raw fruits and vegetables, especially following treatment with antibiotics. (Source: Woman’s Day)

• The Nashville Tennessean has a great column published this past week on immune system balance and the “dirt” exposure school of thought on immune system development. Good perspective and anecdotes.

• The Omaha World-Herald ran a story last Thursday on the possible return of H1N1. A new term was introduced, at least to me: “cytokine storm,” as in “some young people with H1N1 flu were sickened by their immune systems’ overreactions to the virus. That syndrome, called a ‘cytokine storm,’ can fill the lungs with fluid, among other problems. Cytokines are groups of molecules secreted by the immune system.”

• Vancouver would seem to be the most stress-free place in North America. Great scenery, beautiful city and architecture, moderate weather. I spent a little time there en route to an Alaskan Cruise. At one point it was known at the the city with the most outdoor sports enthusiasts in the Western Hemisphere.  Still, the Vancouver Sun published a piece yesterday on the Price of Stress. The story is a good tutorial on immune balance and stress.

• This Today Show video (below) has some good tips that address bacteria and inflammation, both of which are directly connected to balanced immune health.

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I like its basic approach: Balance. Not just immune balance but balance in how your manage your kids’ health. The clip instructs people not to ignore vaccines and antibiotics –they’re important. But also, don’t try to protect your kid from every microorganism out there. It’s foolish and won’t work anyway. Wash hands, exercise, get good nutrition, all the basics that your mom preached are good things to do now and in the future to help build a high-performance immune system. 

Germ Proof Your Kids (MWV26) from microbeworld on Vimeo.

A forest school is, as it sounds, an outdoor learning program that takes place in a safe, wooded environment. The forest school concept holds that children in their formative years–under 8 years old–can develop greater confidence, intellectual, social and creative skills by spending structured learning time in a forest. The ability to explore, discover and play freely within a nature setting can be highly beneficial when compared to conventional schools and classrooms. The “forest school” was developed in Sweden and Denmark in the first half of the 20th century. Several forest schools emerged in Wisconsin in that period as well. Now, it appears forest schools have a thriving presence in the United Kingdom. 

So what’s the relevance to this blog?  Here’s an excerpt from from the UK forest schools site linked above:  ”…The study also showed that the forest school children had 25% fewer sick days than the city children. One reason for this is that the air is nearly always better outside than indoors because outside a child is less likely to be exposed to virus and bacteria and not so likely to be infected by other children. Another reason may be that, since stress has been shown to have a negative effect on the immune system, high stress levels may be having a weakening effect on the ability for the city children to resist infection.”

Now, I and many others are of the opinion that exposure to bacteria and viruses early in childhood may help build a well-balanced immune system.  So I’m not sure about that statement above. Yet, what is not mentioned is that exposure to the dirt, plants and associated outdoor pathogens may also be helping shape and balance immune systems. Also, I certainly can’t argue with the “stress reduction helping improve the immune system” scenario at all.

The general methodology used in the study was very basic: “training” the immune system to not over-react to an allergen when it enters the body. This blog has written ad infinitum about this fundamental illustration of immune balance, but the concept continues to manifest itself in new ways through new findings such as these. In this study, young children with severe peanut allergies were given small amounts of a peanut protein (equivalent to 1/1000th of a peanut) daily over a period of months, with the amount gradually increasing. The kids will still receive this peanut intake for the next couple of years. But eventually, the immune system will be trained to ease off attacking the peanut matter, and alleviate the potentially deadly allergic response that these kids have experienced in the past.

Immune balance holds a lot of promise for this and many other living examples of over-reactive and under-reactive immune systems.

WARNING:  No one should try doing this peanut intake experiment at home with their kids. The Duke research is being conducted under laboratory conditions with precise controls and preparations for potential adverse responses. Just because this involves the good ‘ol peanut does not mean this study is anything that anyone should try on their own.

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).