Parasites are good for you!

[drscott]

In line with other revisionist memes coming out of evolutionary biology, we have this, (via advicegoddess.com, which has lots of other good reading.) And don't read it while eating, since there's discussion of adding worms to the diet of victims of inflammatory bowel diseases. It seems the "progressive" elimination of parasites and bacteria in the environment of children actually does them some harm, since rates of asthma, allergies, and other disorders of the immune system rise dramatically among children who grow up in overly sanitized environments. Which backs up my contention that the 30 second rule for eating stuff that falls on the floor applies, and worrying about catching skin diseases from contact with gym surfaces is pointless (unless you're immune-deficient.) As I was telling our last visitor, I live as one with the community of microorganisms around me. Their tiny screams as you apply disinfectant haunt my psyche.

Comments

[sunsmogseahorse.livejournal.com]

I think there may be some truth to that but I don't see much evidence of it there. It's more like speculation.

This is like that hippie sensibility of not getting your kids immunized.

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

Not really. It's analogous to what happens to children who are overly protected in other ways -- they tend not to develop any armor or independence. Graduated challenges strengthen people (and immune systems.) If given little tuning, the immune system will tend not be properly tuned and can over-respond to harmless stimuli.

The anti-vaccine people are mostly wrong, believing that vaccines are harmful in themselves -- a heavy anti-technology paranoia. Human intervention via vaccines helps limit harm and points the immune system at the most catastrophic diseases.

[imageartifacts.livejournal.com]

Came across you via the LJ rabbit's hole. I have Crohn's disease, and am on Remicade, and really want to be off it. I'm hopeful that this study turns out to be validated, though it'll take forever, if ever, for the FDA to authorize use.

I grew up in the country and we farmed, so I was exposed to a lot of stuff. I also had insane allergies, and couldn't get close to a large body of water without getting sick.

I continue to feel like the root of the problem is being missed. It's frustrating.