A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discussed the hygiene hypothesis and asked the question "Are we too clean, with our preoccupation for hand-sanitizers, disinfectants and anti-microbial products?"
The article points out and the hygiene hypothesis suggests that urban children appear to be at greater risk for asthma and allergies compared to children from rural and less developed countries. While the development of sanitation, food protection, and clean water have significantly decreased deaths, asthma and allergic disease seemed to have emerged as well. Third world countries have almost no asthma and allergies while they are increasing significantly in Westernized countries.
The article discusses a number of ongoing research efforts where doctors are trying to use certain organisms to improve our immune systems without actually causing diseases. For example, patients given Trichuris Suis Ova, a species of pig whipworm, had significant improvements in Chron's disease. A trial is being planned with asthma patients.
If pig whipworms gross you out too badly, kids who grow up with household pets also seem to have less asthma and allergies.
What do you think about the hygiene hypothesis? Leave a comment or join the discussion about the hygiene hypothesis in the forum.
Learn More About The Hygiene Hypothesis
Asthma and the Hygiene Hypothesis: Is Dirty Better?
