Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Is dirt really such a Bad Thing? by Steve Jones

    "Germ-free mice do not thrive: their immune system is feeble, their bowels do not move as they should, and they are generally unhealthy. Such animals are also anxious and obsessive. Our internal bacteria make plenty of the nerve transmitters associated with mood, and inner filthiness may even play a part in keeping us cheerful.
     The developed world is in the midst of an attack of conditions in which the body’s defences fail to respond properly to external enemies. They include allergies, multiple sclerosis, juvenile onset diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome, in all which the immune system turns upon itself.
     Too much hygiene can be harmful. Children from affluent families without a dog, living in cities rather than the country, who stay home rather than going to nursery are shielded from infection – and are more likely to suffer from such diseases."

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