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

You are absolutely right.

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

Kids NEED to get dirty. They NEED to play in the woods, share toys, and get innoculated with all the germs that pervade our environment. How else are they supposed to build strong, health immune systems? But try telling that to the companies that market disinfectant wipes and sprays. They've succeeded in convincing too many parents that if they allow their children to play with some other child's toy without first sterilizing it will some kind of Clorox Handi-Wipe, they are putting their children in DANGER ... meaning, of course, that they are BAD PARENTS.