Dr. Joel Weinstock, chief of gastroenterology/heptology at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston, explains how microbes and dirt help to improve our immune systems. He discusses his research into how exposure to certain microbes may help us develop resistance to allergies and autoimmune disorders like Type 1 diabetes, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.

Comments [8]
Re: Polio. The polio epidemics of the 1940's-1950's spread and grew especially in more modern, sanitized nations. Experts were perplexed. Now the theory is that children were not exposed to small amounts of polio virus naturally when they were young, as children had been in the past. Thus the newer generation did not develop immunity and was more susceptible to infection when exposed later on.
Steve:
A mother's immunity helps kickstart a child's immunity, up to about 6 years of age.
In human history, up until the last 100 years or so, people tended to be exposed to fecal matter on a fairly regular basis. Some think that early exposure to the polio virus in fecal matter helps to protect against the disease in adults. Thus, when FDR--raised in a fairly sterile environment--as an adult exposed himself to polluted water at a boys' camp, he was highly susceptible. Children in newly-sterile eras (early 1900s, 1940s+), were similarly at risk, and suffered in terrible epidemics.
Viruses and bacteria are just 2 types of microbe. I didn't know Weinstock's comments would concentrate on bacteria.
Gene, I don't understand your comment. Polio is a virus. This guy is suggesting worms not virus could recalibrate the immune system. Worms are more closely related to us than to viruses!
Is there any connection between colonic bacteria and psoriasis?
Thanks Leonard, I WAS eating lunch.
Curious what Apple Cider Vinegar is supposed to be for.
Is a colonic irrigation detrimental to these microbes in the GI tract?
Isn't the Polio epidemic of the late-40s, early 50s an object lesson in this?
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