Comments on: A Bit of Dirt a Day Keeps the Doctor Away http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/ Always ask, "Is Your Food Animal Welfare Approved?" Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:50:05 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sophie Purdy Meili http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1081 Sophie Purdy Meili Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:48:30 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1081 There is SO much evidence, and there are SO many studies, showing the benefit of exposure to germs/bacteria/dirt. There are even studies proving that the babies of women spending time on-farm while pregnant have significantly decreased risk of developing asthma, eczema, etc. I'm a very proud AWA farmer, and even more proud to be the mother of a ... See Morebeautiful 15-month-old boy. I was happily feeding our hogs and chickens until I was so pregnant I couldn't lift the water buckets, and have been taking my baby along for barn chores (leaving the care of the hogs to my husband) in a sling since he was a few months old. Needless to say, you won't find many sanitized surfaces in my home, and all the evidence - scientific, anecdotal, and that from old wives - helps me believe I am providing a wonderfully healthy upbringing for my son. Thanks AWA for helping to increase awareness of the benefits of a naturally healthy lifestyle. There is SO much evidence, and there are SO many studies, showing the benefit of exposure to germs/bacteria/dirt. There are even studies proving that the babies of women spending time on-farm while pregnant have significantly decreased risk of developing asthma, eczema, etc. I’m a very proud AWA farmer, and even more proud to be the mother of a … See Morebeautiful 15-month-old boy. I was happily feeding our hogs and chickens until I was so pregnant I couldn’t lift the water buckets, and have been taking my baby along for barn chores (leaving the care of the hogs to my husband) in a sling since he was a few months old. Needless to say, you won’t find many sanitized surfaces in my home, and all the evidence – scientific, anecdotal, and that from old wives – helps me believe I am providing a wonderfully healthy upbringing for my son. Thanks AWA for helping to increase awareness of the benefits of a naturally healthy lifestyle.

]]> By: Theresa Campbell Naude http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1080 Theresa Campbell Naude Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:47:52 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1080 ok Kim - parasites are not being touted /considered beneficial bacteria the way I read this article.... & I do agree with the article: early (but not reckless) exposure to many common bacteria are beneficial for challenging the immune system and building up a wider repertoire to fight against future exposures - IT IS THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF VACCINES... See More .... I was raised in a different country, immigrated here 17 years ago, astounded by the amount of asthma/allergy issues that the average american child ( now adult) faces compared with children from other countries/cultures. I definitely attribute this to the ultra-clean obsession of many well-meaning parents. As a parent and as a health care professional I want to do right by my child, but keeping him encased in a surgically sanitary bubble (while it sounds wonderful) is not good for his development. Your first statement "Non-therapeutic antibiotics are bad for a variety of reasons, but scientific research, the last time I checked has *NOT* found clear evidence that the following is ..." makes no sense. This article talks about environmental bacteria, and how low-level exposure over time helps us (human & animal) build a more robust resistance to other more aggressive strains of bacteria that may be evolved from these simpler strains. You seem to be referring to the indescriminate use of antibiotics for viral infections that will run their course and abate with the tincture of time. There is little disagreement that MRSA is the direct result of this... there is soo much more I could say on this, but will restrict myself - I'm sure you get the picture. ok Kim – parasites are not being touted /considered beneficial bacteria the way I read this article…. & I do agree with the article: early (but not reckless) exposure to many common bacteria are beneficial for challenging the immune system and building up a wider repertoire to fight against future exposures – IT IS THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF VACCINES… See More …. I was raised in a different country, immigrated here 17 years ago, astounded by the amount of asthma/allergy issues that the average american child ( now adult) faces compared with children from other countries/cultures.
I definitely attribute this to the ultra-clean obsession of many well-meaning parents. As a parent and as a health care professional I want to do right by my child, but keeping him encased in a surgically sanitary bubble (while it sounds wonderful) is not good for his development.
Your first statement “Non-therapeutic antibiotics are bad for a variety of reasons, but scientific research, the last time I checked has *NOT* found clear evidence that the following is …” makes no sense.
This article talks about environmental bacteria, and how low-level exposure over time helps us (human & animal) build a more robust resistance to other more aggressive strains of bacteria that may be evolved from these simpler strains. You seem to be referring to the indescriminate use of antibiotics for viral infections that will run their course and abate with the tincture of time. There is little disagreement that MRSA is the direct result of this… there is soo much more I could say on this, but will restrict myself – I’m sure you get the picture.

]]> By: Michelle Maestas http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1079 Michelle Maestas Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:47:10 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1079 I disagree with Kim! There is a ton of evidence that some exposure to germs is beneficial! Here's a couple articles I found: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/immune.html# http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?_r=1 I disagree with Kim! There is a ton of evidence that some exposure to germs is beneficial! Here’s a couple articles I found:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/immune.html#

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?_r=1

]]> By: Anca Elena Toma http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1078 Anca Elena Toma Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:46:19 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1078 I agree with Kim... I agree with Kim…

]]> By: Kim Connolly http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 Kim Connolly Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:45:48 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1077 Non-therapeutic antibiotics are bad for a variety of reasons, but scientific research, the last time I checked has *NOT* found clear evidence that the following is true: " the more germs we are exposed to when we are younger, the stronger our immune systems are in later life." Once you become infected with germs, your body recognizes *that same kind of germ* if you are infected again and helps you ward off that particular infection. That's a very far cry from making your whole immune system "stronger." Exposing kids to more germs is a way to make them sick young to save them from getting that same infection when they are older, in some cases. In other cases, it's a way to give the gift of parasites and other scary consequences:... See More http://thebeautifulbrain.com/2010/02/psyche-parasites/ Non-therapeutic antibiotics are bad for a variety of reasons, but scientific research, the last time I checked has *NOT* found clear evidence that the following is true:

” the more germs we are exposed to when we are younger, the stronger our immune systems are in later life.”

Once you become infected with germs, your body recognizes *that same kind of germ* if you are infected again and helps you ward off that particular infection. That’s a very far cry from making your whole immune system “stronger.” Exposing kids to more germs is a way to make them sick young to save them from getting that same infection when they are older, in some cases. In other cases, it’s a way to give the gift of parasites and other scary consequences:… See More

http://thebeautifulbrain.com/2010/02/psyche-parasites/

]]> By: Angela Shintani-Sandrowicz http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 Angela Shintani-Sandrowicz Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:44:53 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1076 excellent post! excellent post!

]]> By: Claire Ballard http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/03/a-bit-of-dirt-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/comment-page-1/#comment-1075 Claire Ballard Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:44:09 +0000 http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/?p=4869#comment-1075 So very, very true. Claire Ballard So very, very true.

Claire Ballard

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