The Hygiene Hypothesis

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Our bodies are ecosystems that have evolved over time to deal with a variety of infectious agents and microorganisms, such as worms and other parasites. The hygiene hypothesis states that although we have shifted rapidly into a clean, modern and civilized state, our bodies have not yet adapted, and our immune system is responding inappropriately with an increased susceptibility to allergies and autoimmune diseases. The main premise is that humans are mismatched to modernity. (Stearns, 2009) Our civilization has changed rapidly and we now readily have access to modern hygiene, clean water, and antibiotics but our bodies have not yet evolved to adapt with its new environment. Our immune responses are still based on the assumption that we would always have worms and bacteria in our bodies. Due to modern hygiene and clean drinking water, many of these infectious microorganisms have no way of entering our body and our immune system often responds inappropriately to different agents such as mould, dust, or pollen, by ramping up its immune response. (Mirkin, 2009) While the epidemics of infectious diseases have declined over time, an epidemic of autoimmune diseases is immerging. (Bach, 2002) Autoimmune diseases such as asthma, Type 1 (early onset) diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Chrohn's disease are on the rise. Data also shows that Type 1 diabetes is common in Europe, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, while worms and leprosy are common in the Tropics. In areas where Type 1 diabetes is common, there is a very low incidence of tuberculosis and the opposite is also true. (Stearns, 2009) In Germany and other European countries, farm children have fewer allergies than city children. This suggests a connection between cleaner city life a... ... middle of paper ... ...niversity: Open Yale Courses), http://oyc.yale.edu/ (Accessed November 4, 2009). License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Mirkin, G. (2009, December 20). The Hygiene hypothesis. Retrieved from http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine122009.html Bach, J.F. (2002). The Effect of infections on susceptibility to autoimmune and allergic diseases.New England Medical Journal, 347(911-920) BBC News. (2009, November 23). Dirt can be good for children, say scientists. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8373690.stm Hunter, M.M., & McKay, D.M. (2004). Helminths as therapeutic agents for inflammatory bowel disease.Ailmentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 19(2), 167-177. Constantinescu, C. (2009, March 3). Parasitic worms may lead to treatment for multiple sclerosis. Retrieved from http://www.news-medical.net/news/2009/03/03/46407

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