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For those interested in recent research focusing on the interplay between bacteria and our immune systems, I recommend An Epidemic of Absence by Moises Velasque

by jokull 13y ago

For those interested in recent research focusing on the interplay between bacteria and our immune systems, I recommend An Epidemic of Absence by Moises Velasquez-Manoff. Podcast introduction from Chris Kresser: http://chriskresser.com/what-are-the-hidden-costs-of-modern-hygiene http://chriskresser.com/what-are-the-hidden-costs-of-modern-... Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1439199388?tag=chrikres-20&link_code=as3&creative=373489&camp=211189 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1439199388?tag=chrikres-20&link_cod...

riggins 13y ago
thanks for the article
Luc 13y ago
Hard to tell at a glance whether this "Hygiene Hypothesis" is legitimate science, or wishful thinking on the part of the journalist who wrote the book. I'm leaning towards being rather sceptical.
- Klinky 13y ago
  It's not bunk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis Some studies have shown parasites improve the symptoms of certain chronic illnesses, such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Fecal transplantation has also been used to treat chronic digestive ailments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_bacteriotherapy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_bacteriotherapy
- graeme 13y ago
  You could do the absolute minimum of due diligence and check if there is a Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis It's been extensively studied by epidemiologists and immunologists. There is some experimental evidence to support the theory.
  - Luc 13y ago
    Oh, big whoop, some experimental evidence, huh! There's a Wikipedia article about the subject, so that blesses the contents of this book now, does it?
    - jokull 13y ago
      The premise, the logic stands on its own. We coevolve with other organisms and bacteria, not in a vacuum. So wether there is hard evidence for this or that, regardless it’s an interesting field of study right now and many are looking into it. Sometimes before you have evidence, you need a hypothesis.
    - graeme 13y ago
      I didn't say anything about the book, I haven't read it. You questioned whether the hygiene hypothesis was a real hypothesis. According to my very casual glance at the evidence, it appears to be a hypothesis being actively debated by scientists. I'm not sure what else you might want for a hypothesis to be 'scientifically legitimate'.

by jokull 13y ago

riggins 13y ago

thanks for the article

Luc 13y ago

Hard to tell at a glance whether this "Hygiene Hypothesis" is legitimate science, or wishful thinking on the part of the journalist who wrote the book. I'm leaning towards being rather sceptical.

Klinky 13y ago
It's not bunk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis Some studies have shown parasites improve the symptoms of certain chronic illnesses, such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Fecal transplantation has also been used to treat chronic digestive ailments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_bacteriotherapy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_bacteriotherapy
graeme 13y ago
You could do the absolute minimum of due diligence and check if there is a Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis It's been extensively studied by epidemiologists and immunologists. There is some experimental evidence to support the theory.
- Luc 13y ago
  Oh, big whoop, some experimental evidence, huh! There's a Wikipedia article about the subject, so that blesses the contents of this book now, does it?
  - jokull 13y ago
    The premise, the logic stands on its own. We coevolve with other organisms and bacteria, not in a vacuum. So wether there is hard evidence for this or that, regardless it’s an interesting field of study right now and many are looking into it. Sometimes before you have evidence, you need a hypothesis.
  - graeme 13y ago
    I didn't say anything about the book, I haven't read it. You questioned whether the hygiene hypothesis was a real hypothesis. According to my very casual glance at the evidence, it appears to be a hypothesis being actively debated by scientists. I'm not sure what else you might want for a hypothesis to be 'scientifically legitimate'.