Western medicine has taught us that we should strive to be clean and hygienic in everything we do. Analysis of certain disease spreading patterns, among other things led to the understanding we have today of germ theory and has helped us to reduce the spread of many dangerous diseases over the years.
However, the question needs to be asked: should all disease be prevented? Avoiding sickness seems on the surface to be a good idea. Can I prevent myself from ever getting sick? Do I want to even try? The answer from most practitioners of western medicine would be “Absolutely!” Some doctors and researchers, however, are starting to disagree.
Does the immune system work better if it is isolated from disease or if it is exposed to many diseases over time? This is the question being asked by researchers of the “Hygiene Hypothesis”. It is still too early in the research to conclude anything, but basically the theory goes like this: our immune system needs to be exposed to germs, parasites, and viruses regularly in order to be able to fight off all the germs, parasites, and viruses it is exposed to in a lifetime. Think of your immune system like a muscle: if you use it, it is stronger and more adaptable to whatever it may need to do in the future; if you don’t, it can be weakened to the point of not being able to handle even the simplest of tasks.
How plausible is this? Well, for one, researchers know that the likelihood of catching some communicable diseases changes if you were raised in one culture or environment rather than another. As a simple example, children exposed to pet danders are less likely to be asthmatic as adults than children not exposed to these danders. There are many other examples of this type of correlation.
What does this mean? Well, we shouldn’t just start playing in the dirt or otherwise intentionally attacking our immune system. But we can and perhaps should worry less about disinfecting everything, all the time (like washing our hands every five minutes). In other words, know that germs and bacteria are around, but realize they are a part of being alive.
Can you keep all the germs away? Certainly some people try. The reality, however, is that in every breath you are inhaling bacteria and viruses. In every bite of food you are ingesting bacteria, parasites, and other “bad guys”. It can’t be avoided, and it isn’t going to kill you. In fact, it just might make you stronger.
Resources:
- Hygiene Hypothesis: Are We Too “Clean” for Our Own Good? [healthlink.mcw.edu]
- Are Western Lifestyles Too Hygienic? [www.healthday.com].
Other news
- Ha, ha, I’m going to outlive my brother! Children born to women younger than 25 live longer, researchers report [www.msnbc.msn.com]
- Liar, liar, pants on fire! Teens who promise to wait for marriage more likely to deny sexual history [www.msnbc.msn.com]
- I might have pre-pre-prehypertension: Blood pressure woes start earlier than you think [www.healthday.com]
From the editor
My half-marathon attempt last week was a complete success, and I suffered very little in the post-run days. The first day I felt quite sore and a little flu-like (as predicted), but after I slept a full night I was basically back to normal. I ate quite a bit over the following days and was stiff going down stairs, that’s about it.
The most interesting piece, for me, was that I was more challenged physically than I was mentally. My body was aching and exhausted for the last mile, but choosing to go on was not difficult. I knew I was still within my overall limits without hurting myself, so I just slowed my pace and kept running the whole way. I’m not sure what I have learned or done in the last few years to have the drive to complete this, but the strength was not hard to summon in this case.
Anyway, I suppose it’s time to set a bigger goal, like a full marathon or a mini-triathlon. Any suggestions?
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
