It may seem like a paradox that spending time outdoors may help to decrease allergies and asthma. Many people are allergic to pollen, after all. But the science says otherwise, especially with regard to raising children. Call it the hygienic hypothesis, the nature deficiency disorder or an epidemic of absence. No matter what you want to call it, the science behind the theory does not seem to be going away anytime soon. Because I’ll be discussing some possible health solutions, let me begin this post with a little caveat clause, “Consult with your physician before following any advice in this post.” There, now we can continue.
Biostatistician Lynn Peeples reported, “The number of asthma cases in the U.S. has doubled since 1980, and now affects 1 in 10 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. …Overall, asthma is the number one chronic childhood disease, the leading reason for school absenteeism, and tops the list of causes for child hospitalizations and emergency room visits, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.”
In 2011, Scientific American attempted to tackle this theme with a 3-page spread, Why Are Asthma Rates Soaring? In the article, some support and criticism of the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ was offered.
Research also shows that rates of depression for Americans have risen dramatically in the past 50 years and that the younger Millenial generation is feeling particularly stressed and depressed. The hygiene hypothesis addresses both of these issues.
This theory basically offers that our sterilized human environment is too sterile, and this inhibits the kind of dust and microbes that help to boost the immune system. However, this explanation is too simplistic because ‘dirty’ poorer cities also have high incidents of allergies and asthma. It seems it is not just the dirt per se, but the kind of biodiversity found in nature, farms and gardens that is the most healthy. This Was argued in a report from 2012 from Finland. I’ll summarize a few of the key reports.
Scientific reports related to the hygiene hypothesis
1. Psychology Today reported, “In 2007, University of Colorado neuroscientist Christopher Lowry, then working at Bristol University in England, made a startling discovery. He found that certain strains of soil-borne mycobacteria sharply stimulated the human immune system. The very same bacteria also boosted serotonin levels in the brains of mice.” These findings also addressed the issue of mental health and depression, as Lowry underscored, “These studies help us understand how the body communicates with the brain and why a healthy immune system is important for maintaining mental health. They also leave us wondering if we shouldn’t all be spending more time playing in the dirt.”
2. Science Daily posted findings of a 2012 Finish study: “Emerging evidence indicates that commensal microbes inhabiting the skin, airway, and gut protect against inflammatory disorders. However, little is known about the environmental determinants of the microbiome.” Living near the ocean could be an issue: “The authors found that subjects living on farms or near forests had more diverse bacteria on their skin and lower allergen sensitivity than individuals living in areas with less environmental biodiversity, such as urban areas or near bodies of water.”
3. The Wall Street Transcript (TWST) May 20, 2013, Coronado Biosciences (CNDO) Uses Trichuris Suis Ova to Treat Autoimmune Diseases. “They did these pilot studies with TSO and saw impressive effects in inflammatory bowel disease, in ulcerative colitis, and there was a very small multiple sclerosis study that was run.” In layman’s terms, scientists in this experiment introduced whipworm (Trichuris Suis) into patients and this helped to trigger healthy immune system responses towards inflammatory diseases. Similarly, in 2009, an experiment in Brazil utilizing an antigen from parasite schistosoma mansoni in mice resulted in better modulated allergic responses.
This may seem a bit archaic, using worms and parasites to treat illnesses. Didn’t leeching go out of style in the 19th century? No matter how gross it may seem, science is now backing the use of worms and parasites as a cure for allergies and asthma. Personally, I would rather get my children involved in some gardening. But, if my kid’s asthma condition continues to get worse, I would become more open minded to these types of cures as they become clinically tested and used. In the mean time, I’ll continue to read the scientific updates and try to keep my family more connected to nature and the earth.
Image: Labors of the Months: September, from a Flemish Book of Hours (Bruges), is public domain.
Post originally published at Warren's Nursery
