Where I live, there is a large concentration of new immigrants from India. One told me that on her trips back she had noticed a pattern. Families with several children, none of whom had any autoimmune conditions of allergies, would have say half of those children leave India and raise grandchildren in nations like Australia, Canada or the United States. The grandchildren born and raised in these countries get autoimmune conditions. Their cousins back home in India do not.
I recall years ago reading a study that noted that allergies and autism seemed more frequent in affluent families. The study thought it was due to over diagnosing these conditions. I don’t know the provenance of that study but anecdotally I can tell you that my experience is that when I attend parties with more affluent and educated people, especially teachers and medical workers, there are more food allergies to be aware of. When I attend parties with my more working class relatives and friends, especially those who may be quite well to do but who work in professions where they get dirty (plumbers, contractors of any kind) my child is one of two with issues or he is the only one.
Both of these observations fit well into what is known as “the hygeine hypothesis” which says that an absence of exposure to microbes and parasites early in life may be what causes these conditions. Evidence is increasing that our obsession with germ killing, shoe removing, and hand washing may be killing us. Oddly it may also be driving a surge in psychiatric illnesses.
The following article is an interesting read. We take probiotics daily. I believe that thay make a huge difference in our digestive health. They may also be the reason we do not have more immune issues.
This article simply notes another epidemiological support for the hygeine hypothesis which is that women get more autoimmune disorders than men. I am concerned that this article neglects to mention the other elephant in the room which is the rush to antibiotics for every little illness. In a body that is largely made of microbes, antibiotics are a nuclear option. Sure they kill lots of bacteria, but its kind of like nuking a place. You are going to get the bad guys for sure. You are also going to get all the good guys.
Anyway enjoy the read and let me know what you think.
http://mynorthwest.com/11/493934/Girls-who-play-in-dirt-grow-up-healthier-according-to-researcher
And here is the original article
