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Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

smithsonianmag.com

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Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#11

Post by hfsktr »

cajuntrep wrote: post #7
tokenadult wrote: post #2

The article reports an interesting observation: "Still, the 500-mile boundary between Finland and this Russian republic marks one of the steepest standard-of-living gradients in the world: Finns are seven times richer than their neighbors across the border. 'The difference is even greater than between Mexico and the U.S.,' Knip tells me." Then the article gets into the main point: "Soon, studies from around the world…

My wife works in a hospital, and she has been trained to always wash her hands. I on the other hand have always said that I am building my immune system by introducing my body to germs. Not sure whose right here, but interesting theory nonetheless.

I think that at a hospital you aren't washing your hands for yourself but for others that (probably) have compromised immune systems already. I know it kind of goes without saying.

I know that the people I know that work at a day care got sick a lot initially (and so did their partners from them) but not so much anymore. I wonder if hospital staff have that happen as well?

Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#13

Post by contingencies »

It seems like without waiting for the results of this study there's a more simple solution - to protect your children from rich man's disease (of all kinds), travel with them to developing countries and live there for reasonable periods of time alongside the locals, how they live ("When in Rome"). Not only will they be more worldly, gain linguistic prowess and be better adjusted to foreign cultures in general, but they are likely to receive immune system benefits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Man%27s_Disease#Cause

Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#15

Post by adhd »

smegel wrote: post #10

Is this really news or even a new idea? The idea that being exposed to "dirt" or plentiful foreign germs/organisms can build the immune system is one I have been aware of for as long as I can remember. Maybe it just hasn't been "proved" yet.

To my understanding, the way this idea is being applied in research is new. There is a difference between the presence of germs 'boosting' the immune system and a lack of germs causing the immune system to target -- and severely damage -- the entirely wrong enemy, as in the case of an autoimmune disorder.

Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#17

Post by unhe »

LOL... this is true... I live and i was raised in a third world country (mexico) and i dont get sick of cold, flu or cough only once every 2 years.... and i dont even have a strong immune system.... and i see other people from developed countries get sick when they come here twice or more in a month... it includes diarreah lol....

Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#18

Post by wslh »

adhd wrote: post #12
eof wrote: post #3

I always just assumed it was because rich countries are full of lazy-fat-fucks.

And because only 'lazy-fat-fucks' get autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, Celiac, MS, and lupus?

Ironically that's what the Argentinian President said one week ago http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2293564/Diabetes-ric...

Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#19

Post by veemjeem »

cajuntrep wrote: post #7
tokenadult wrote: post #2

The article reports an interesting observation: "Still, the 500-mile boundary between Finland and this Russian republic marks one of the steepest standard-of-living gradients in the world: Finns are seven times richer than their neighbors across the border. 'The difference is even greater than between Mexico and the U.S.,' Knip tells me." Then the article gets into the main point: "Soon, studies from around the world…

My wife works in a hospital, and she has been trained to always wash her hands. I on the other hand have always said that I am building my immune system by introducing my body to germs. Not sure whose right here, but interesting theory nonetheless.

Since nurses & doctors work with so many patients, it's very easy for them to carry someone else's disease to another room with a weaker immune system.

Re: Dirt may explain why richest countries suffer diseases rarely seen anywhere else

#20

Post by eurleif »

soperj wrote: post #14

This is probably just a nitpick but it annoys me when they say minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, since it doesn't matter.

The fact that -40 C = -40 F is a random bit of trivia that not everyone can be expected to know. If it just said -40 degrees, it would be confusing to anyone who wasn't aware.
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