In early childhood, but also during growing up, parents want to protect their children from bacteria in every possible way. However, more and more often one can hear the warning of experts that dirt is very important for building immunity.
Minus for a sterile home
Although we would think that the key to keeping our children healthy is a sterile home, according to two microbiologists, this is completely wrong. In fact, today's children are too clean - claim Dr. John Gilbert and Rob Knight, scientists who research microbiomes, in the book "Dirty is Good: The Advantage of Bacteria for Developing Your Child's Immune System."
Gilbert and Knight point out that dirt and germs can protect us from disease, while our perfectionism in cleaning the home can weaken the immune system.
In this book, you can hear the increasingly popular hypothesis about hygiene, which says that children who live in extremely clean spaces have an increased risk of immune system diseases such as eczema, because the immune system does not know how to react to intruders such as dust and pollen. .
In the book "Dirty is good" Dr. Gilbert writes that for the past 150 years, since people realized that microbes cause diseases, people have been trying to get rid of all kinds of viruses, bacteria and fungi. The increase in hygienic habits, including boiling water and pasteurizing milk, helped to avoid many diseases and deaths.
Less allergies with a dog
Gilbert points to the fact that not only does early exposure to microbes shape the immune system, but also the endocrine system and even the child's neurological development.
And a recently published study by the University of Alberta in Canada showed that living with pets from an early age reduces the risk of obesity and results in significantly fewer allergies.
Good bacteria in our body
micrococcus luteus is a natural part of our skin and has the nickname "super-sunscreen" because of its good absorption of UV radiation. M. Luteus is found in soil, dust, water and air and as part of the normal skin flora of mammals. The bacterium also colonizes the human mouth, mucosa, oropharynx and upper respiratory tract. It was discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming before he discovered penicillin in 1928.
Bifidobacterium animalis is a human intestinal probiotic bacteria that boosts immunity, fights tumors and improves digestion. It is a gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium and can be found in the intestines of all mammals.
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