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My doctor: "Let the kids play in dirt. It actually will help them become healthy." Good advice. I live int he city so the kids get to play in the garden. :)
by baldfat 11y ago
My doctor: "Let the kids play in dirt. It actually will help them become healthy."
Good advice. I live int he city so the kids get to play in the garden. :)
- tootie 11y agoThere's really no evidence to support it. It sounds nice and may turn out to be true, but we can't say for sure. Riding the subway probably does more for immune development than playing in the dirt.
- baldfat 11y agoJohn Hopkin's might disagree: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/newborns_exposed_to_dirt_dander_and_germs_may_have_lower_allergy_and_asthma_risk http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/newborns_...
- tootie 11y agoThe evidence is soft and not fully linked to outcomes (ie, they live longer). The risk of contracting a serious illness that stunts development or even kills is almost certainly higher if you expose a young child to too much filth. There's likely a tradeoff and it's not clear which way the balance tilts.
- mhandley 11y agoThe interesting thing about that study is that the protective effects only work if you're exposed before you're one year old. This makes it a bit late for most of us on HN.
- baldfat 11y agoNo I think ti says the benefits only last till one years of age.