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Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

eurekalert.org

51–60 of 90 posts

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#51
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yea same. Anecdotal but my surfer friends and I are seemingly never sick but other people I interact with are sick more often.

It seems possible that exposure to bacteria in the water in small doses builds the bodies immune system to deal with those making subsequent problems less likely.

When I was a little boy in New York City in the 1940s, we swam in the Hudson River and it was filled with raw sewage okay? We swam in raw sewage! You know... to cool off! And at that time, the big fear was polio; thousands of kids died from polio every year but you know something? In my neighbourhood, no one ever got polio! No one! Ever! You know why? Cause we swam in raw sewage! It strengthened our immune systems! The polio never had a prayer; we were tempered in raw shit! -- George Carlin

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The healthy effects of the exercising on the sea must counteract the bacteria, because I don't know a healthier group than the surfing community around here. You're making a conclusion about cause and effect. It might be the case that the majority of people who take up surfing are extremely healthy since it's a physically demanding sport.

It's not that physically demanding. I've seen 3-4 year olds in Hawaii do it. Like in any sport, it depends on how far you want to push yourself.

Yes, they do 20cm white water waves, which is very easy. Difficulty increases by 5 if you go to the 2 m green water waves, where it usually takes you 10-20 mins of constant paddling through 2 m waves until you're behind the break.

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Quality of salt It's not on its face impossible for sea and rock salt to differ in trace minerals, but be aware that the salt itself is the same in both. From the medical stuff you mentioned it sounds like it's the salt itself that's having the beneficial effect and not the other minerals. Although, I do see an oft-overlooked wrinkle to it: the costs of these minor changes are so small that the odds that there might…

I think the other trace minerals matter. But I also think simply consuming kosher or canning and pickling salt is better than consuming standard table salt. Standard table salt typically has iodine added. It also has a chemical added to make it pour easier. This may not have a notable impact on a healthy person, but if you genetically misprocess various things and are medically prescribed a high amount of salt, that…

Well also enjoy the plastic in your sea salt:

  Sea salt from around the world showing contamination by particlulate plastics (theguardian.com)

  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15206880

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#55

Totally worth it. Just your periodic reminder that Surfing is one of the most fun things that a person can do on this planet, as evidenced by the fact that so many people have essentially dropped out of society and dedicated their lives to doing it every day. If you live in a place near the water such as, say, the San Francisco Bay Area, and you have never tried surfing, you owe it to yourself to head down to Santa C…

there are so many 'most fun things that a person can do on this planet', one can't cover them properly even if one wouldn't work at all and had tons of cash.

Of those I tried - scuba diving, climbing & alpinism, paragliding, downhill biking, various slightly extreme forms of skiing, ski touring. Each has a community of die hards that swear by it, live by it and sometimes die by it.

Tried some surfing too, but learning curve is too steep - if you don't live nearby a proper place to do it regularly, 1-2 vacations per year max won't cut it and its more negative than positive experience. There is no surfing for beginners that you can actually enjoy after only few days spent. Body surf is much easier but not the same.

Compare it to ie climbing, where you can have fun on some easy climbs as a complete novice. Or tandem paraglide with instructor. In diving you can do 30 dives in a week and become advanced open water diver, being able to dive to 40m (most people will never need more).

And judging from internet there are plenty other cool activities like these.

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The healthy effects of the exercising on the sea must counteract the bacteria, because I don't know a healthier group than the surfing community around here. You're making a conclusion about cause and effect. It might be the case that the majority of people who take up surfing are extremely healthy since it's a physically demanding sport.

It's not that physically demanding. I've seen 3-4 year olds in Hawaii do it. Like in any sport, it depends on how far you want to push yourself.

I've seen kids run, doesn't mean it's not physical demanding to run.

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#57

Unfortunately, I do not need to see a study to know that the waters near Lima (Where I live & surf) are full of crap.. That said, the healthy effects of the exercising on the sea must counteract the bacteria, because I don't know a healthier group than the surfing community around here.

They're physically fit, but if those resistant bacteria end up in a part of their body other than their gut it will be a lot harder to remove. They could be more likely to die in those cases.

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#59
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems possible that exposure to bacteria in the water in small doses builds the bodies immune system to deal with those making subsequent problems less likely.

When I was a little boy in New York City in the 1940s, we swam in the Hudson River and it was filled with raw sewage okay? We swam in raw sewage! You know... to cool off! And at that time, the big fear was polio; thousands of kids died from polio every year but you know something? In my neighbourhood, no one ever got polio! No one! Ever! You know why? Cause we swam in raw sewage! It strengthened our immune systems! T…

Like a multi-source fecal transplant, but without the rigid screening before donation.

Re: Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

#60

Unfortunately, I do not need to see a study to know that the waters near Lima (Where I live & surf) are full of crap.. That said, the healthy effects of the exercising on the sea must counteract the bacteria, because I don't know a healthier group than the surfing community around here.

Surely people who do the same amount of exercise as surfers but in the absence of harmful bacteria are even better off?
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